Rattigan in Performance – A Masterclass with Thea Sharrock

On the evening of Friday 1 June, Olivier Award winning director Thea Sharrock visited Central to deliver the masterclass; Rattigan in Performance. The event was co-hosted by Central and The Terence Rattigan Society.

After a welcome from Central’s principal, Professor Gavin Henderson, Thea Sharrock was introduced by one of the society’s Vice Presidents, biographer, actor, director and producer Michael Darlow before addressing the audience herself on her passion for the works of Terrence Rattigan.

Central alumni Matthew Bloxham (BA Acting 07), Jonathan Rigby (Stage 89) and Elizabeth Donnelly (MA Classical Acting 10) joined Thea onstage in The New Studio to work on studies from The Deep Blue Sea and The Browning Version. The audience comprised of MA Acting students and members of the society, including its President, Princess George Galitzine who, as the former Dior model Jean Dawnay, was Rattigan’s close friend, hostess and muse.

Thea revealed how vital Rattigan’s stage directions are in realising his characters, advising that everything is there waiting for the actor to explore and absorb without any need for invention.

The event concluded with much stimulated discussion during the drinks reception in the Atrium.

If you would like to join the Terence Rattigan Society, please contact Diana Scotney, on 01462-623941.  e-mail dianascotney@virginmedia.com or go to