Rupa Huq Treads The Boards

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Ealing Central and Acton MP participates in acting workshop at the Questors Theatre

Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq participated in an acting workshop at Questors Theatre last weekend.

The event was part of a nationwide initiative called Silver Sundays, launched in 2012 to combat loneliness amongst older people. Silver Sundays aim to provide a day where older people feel valued and are given new opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends and connect with the communities and generations around them.

People from across Ealing, Acton and Chiswick came together to mark this year’s Silver Sunday with an acting workshop. Led by retired judge Paul Collins, the workshop brought people of all acting abilities together in one of the largest community theatres in Europe.

Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, the Questors Theatre is a celebrated local venue putting on a variety of shows, courses and workshops throughout the year.

A spokesperson from Questors Theatre said: “It was very exciting for us to have our local MP taking part in Silver Sunday. The event was a huge success – participants said they didn’t want it to end and could have carried on all day which can only be a positive sign!”

Paul Collins, who led the workshop, commented: “It was a rewarding three hours for people interested in theatre but not experienced at it, including our excellent MP Rupa Huq.”

Rupa Huq, who has previously called on the Government to increase funding for local cultural venues such as the Questors theatre, took the opportunity to try her hand at acting.

She commented,“It was great to be at Questors for Silver Sunday. I was told it was a seniors version of the renowned ‘Acting for All’ course that they do but found most of the group to be quite sprightly types. I felt I had more grey hair than most of them.”

“The play we were looking at ‘Troilus and Cressida’ was new to me but I found myself immersed in this lesser-known marvel. Paul Collins was a masterful tutor. I thoroughly recommend the course, Questors and indeed the whole concept of Silver Sunday for helping combat isolation at a time the loneliness agenda is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Let’s hope this activity is not just confined to one day a year though!”

While there may be a year long wait for the next Silver Sunday, Questors Theatre is offering a varied programme of workshops for all ages over the coming months.

See www.questors.org.uk for more information.

 

October 11, 2019