Theatre News

Guildhall alumnus wins graduate acting award

Luke Dale is the recipient of the 2015 Alan Bates Award

Luke Dale has won the 2015 Alan Bates Award
Luke Dale has won the 2015 Alan Bates Award
(© Kit Shah)

Guildhall alumnus Luke Dale has won this year's Alan Bates Award, a graduate prize for actors entering the industry.

Created in honour of Actors Centre patron and actor Alan Bates, the prize provides "the tools and support to assist recent graduates in finding work and sustaining a career in an ever-changing industry".

Luke Dale, who was given the prize by Eastenders actress Lindsey Coulson at a ceremony last Friday, said of his win: "I feel very privileged, honoured and absolutely elated. I am so thankful to the Actors Centre, and the best thing about winning this year’s Alan Bates Award is I can keep coming back to work with the amazing actors and people".

Dale will be mentored throughout the upcoming year by Actors Centre Chair Paul Clayton, who described him as "the most engaging actor". He has also won headshots, a showreel and voicereel, a personal website, Equity and Spotlight subscriptions and a Ted Baker suit. He was also appear at Shakespeare's Globe in the Read not Dead programme of staged readings.

This year also marks the first time that all six finalists – Jeremy Ang Jones, Marcus Fraser, Ryan Hayes, John Rwoth-Omack, Calum Speed and Dale – will be mentored individually throughout the year. Mentors include Anita Dobson, Joseph Millson, Lisa Hammond, Lizzie Roper and Stephen Billington.

There were more than 270 applicants for the 2015 Award, which had a judging panel including Janet Suzman.