The Eastenders massive were in the house on 22nd May 2010 when actor Rudolph Walker OBE (you know you watch Eastenders) recently presented a team of talented
teenagers with the winning gong after they showcased their brilliant skills through film. The kids from Northumberland Park Community School stormed to victory with their powerful piece 'The Rudolph Walker Project'. 7 schools from across London had been working with celebrity mentors and organisers (Mervin Cato of Fresh Manna) since September 2010; battled it out for the gong of 'Best Play', all the pupils produced and starred in their own original pieces.
Shane Ritchie (who plays Alfie Moon in Eastenders) said of the piece "they had the whole package and most importantly it had humour". The schools performed in front of well known faces from screen & stage including Diane Parish (Eastenders' Denise), Will Johnson ( Waterloo Road) Little Miss Jocelyn (BBC2) and Tamika Empson (Eastenders)
Pioneering Walker was the first black actor to appear in a major British TV series. His breakthrough role as Bill in sitcom 'Love Thy Neighbour 'lead to a long and varied acting career, including shifts with such celebrated companies as the RSC. Walker has always been a committed campaigner and a keen supporter of community, grassroots arts schemes in and around the capital and he was moved to support school drama in Brixton in the 1970s due to the social unrest rife in the area at the time. Through his mentoring Rudolph helped many young black actors break into the industry.
After a successful 1st year, plans are now afoot to roll-out the Rudolph Walker Schools Drama Award internationally.
Pioneering Walker was the first black actor to appear in a major British TV series. His breakthrough role as Bill in sitcom 'Love Thy Neighbour 'lead to a long and varied acting career, including shifts with such celebrated companies as the RSC. Walker has always been a committed campaigner and a keen supporter of community, grassroots arts schemes in and around the capital and he was moved to support school drama in Brixton in the 1970s due to the social unrest rife in the area at the time. Through his mentoring Rudolph helped many young black actors break into the industry.
After a successful 1st year, plans are now afoot to roll-out the Rudolph Walker Schools Drama Award internationally.
Photo Courtesy of Joseph Tagliarini
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