Regent High School students impress star of stage and screen Sir Ian McKellen
Students and staff were delighted to welcome one of the world’s most acclaimed actors, Sir Ian McKellen, to the school in October.
A star of stage and screen, Sir Ian’s distinguished career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre is complemented by his fame for his roles in award-winning films such as Lord of the Rings and X-Men.
During his visit, Sir Ian met with our Stonewall School Champion students and heard from them about the work they have been leading to challenge homophobia and celebrate diversity. Since receiving our Stonewall School Champion title earlier this year, Regent High School students have been committed to emphasising the importance of our school values of respect for everyone regardless of race, religion, culture, gender or sexual orientation. This has included a winning debate on equal rights and respect and an excellent presentation at Camden’s annual anti-bullying seminar in front of senior leaders from Camden schools and professionals from other organisations. As a co-founder of Stonewall, the UK’s largest lesbian, gay and bisexual rights charity, Sir Ian commended the students on their achievements to date and stressed the importance of continuing the campaign. He then met with a Year 9 English class for a discussion around their English Literature text ‘Of Mice and Men’.
Sir Ian generously went on to lead a Shakespeare audition masterclass for some of our Year 13 BTEC Performing Arts students, with our Year 11 GCSE Drama students observing. He helped the students to develop their monologues using a range of techniques in a fascinating session which engaged all students (and staff) in dramatic role play. Afterwards, the Year 13s admitted to some nerves about performing to such an illustrious critic, but described the session as the best experience they had ever had as young actors.
The renowned actor ended his visit by delivering an inspiring assembly to our Orange Tutorial Community about the importance of championing diversity and confronting homophobia.
