BUDDING stage and screen stars at Stagecoach classes in Marlborough have been getting some advice from top actor Mark McGann.
Mr McGann spent a day working with the children on Saturday at St John’s School where Stagecoach drama classes are run each week.
Ingrid Bayley, principle of Stagecoach Marlborough, invited Mr McGann – whose three brothers Joe, Stephen and Paul are also leading actors – to help her students with character acting.
Mr McGann – who played Marcus Bannerman in the long-running TV drama The Grand and played John Lennon in the West End production of the musical Lennon – also schooled the children in adopting different accents.
Ms Bayley said about 72 children aged between six and 16 enjoyed meeting the actor, who was happy to grant their requests for his autograph.
“He did a workshop day involving drama studies and the children all benefited enormously,” said Ms Bayley.
Her sentiments were echoed by Stagecoach pupil Edward France, 11, of Lower Fyfield, who attended with his sisters, nine-year-old twins Helena and Elizabeth.
“It was really good fun,” he said. “We did the whole Blood Brothers play in two hours and learned a lot about working together and characterisation.

Star gives masterclass

By Nigel Kerton, WILTSHIRE GAZETTE