Latest news with #TiffanyTheatreSchool
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jason Manford warns against excluding working class from the arts
Actor and comedian Jason Manford warned people from working class backgrounds could be excluded from the arts if grassroots venues were not 44-year-old said it was important people from poorer families had relatable role spoke to BBC Essex after Tiffany Theatre School in Clacton-on-Sea was forced into closure over funding issues."We'll end up in a situation where the only people who are performing as actors, singers, comedians or musicians are people who can afford it," Manford said. He launched his award-winning career at a small venue in Chorlton, Manchester in said: "The arts are what separates us from the animals, this is the thing that makes us human and it's important to keep it going." Tiffany Theatre School offered degree-level qualifications for up to 20 students over the past 25 and families rallied to raise £30,000 in four weeks to keep the doors open but fell short of the £200,000 said if more small performing arts schools closed down then it would create a divide."The biggest problem is we'll only hear from people with money and connections," said the comic, who is performing in Southend-on-Sea on Friday."Where is the voice for working-class people, people living below the poverty line?"He previously said "pure greed" had prevented him making money while performing at the Edinburgh Fringe."That becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and that's my biggest concern," Manford added."The full circle is, who are our kids looking up to to say, 'That person's like me - maybe I could do that'?"The Office for Students has been contacted for comment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Tiffany Theatre School in Clacton to shut down over funding issue
Students at a performing arts school were preparing their final act after being told it would be shutting down after 25 Theatre School in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was forced into closure after bosses could not secure the funding it school's three-year higher education course was oversubscribed for September, but its 15 students have since been told the curtains were closing on Friday."People are suddenly now having to grieve friendships because they're going to have to find other places to train," said principal Phil Gostelow. The school's future was thrown into uncertainty after the government said it would no longer finance its students' and families rallied to raise £30,000 in four weeks to keep the doors open, but Mr Gostelow said the "amazing" effort was in vain as £200,000 was needed."It's not a big enough figure for us to responsibly open and give any form of security to our students," he added. "We were left with no option other than to draw a line under it and close the college, which is heartbreaking for all concerned." Past students have gone on to perform in London's West End, choreograph for pop star Kylie Minogue, as well as featuring in films, TV and music school was meant to be welcoming a full intake of 20 new students in September. However, they would not be able to pay for their education without student sudden closure would follow two final performances at the Lakeside Theatre in Colchester on Friday."These were meant to be the end of year shows, our graduating cohort's farewell," Mr Gostelow said."Now it's turned into the last thing we'll ever produce as a college."We're trying to keep our brains on making the best show we can, but there's a big cloud hanging over everything."He stressed to families it would be a goodbye "not with mourning, but with pride".The Department for Education has been approached for comment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
