Supporter Stories: Kitty Corrigan

Kitty Corrigan, friend of Central and supporter

What was your first connection with Central? 

My mother Flora Gilmour was a student at Central from 1934-37. Aged 17, she left the North of Ireland with her best friend Gladys Houston, who had also been offered a place, and with great excitement visited London for the first time.  

They were both daughters of Presbyterian ministers so certainly had no private income, but they managed to attend theatre every week, sitting up in the gods at 3/6d a ticket.  

They shared a room in the Girls’ Friendly Society hostel in South Kensington (not as smart then as it is today), bought all their clothes in the ‘guinea shops’, walked everywhere to save money, and for the last week of the month lived on bars of chocolate – and broken biscuits donated by the matron of the hostel.

Please tell us one of your favourite memories of Central (either your own or something that your mother shared with you).   

My mother was told at Central that she would have to lose her Northern Irish accent if she was to succeed in a career. I am very proud that she replied that she would be returning to Ireland to teach Speech and Drama, and therefore did not need to.  

In the 1930s it was all about received pronunciation, but today regional accents are celebrated, thankfully.

Thinking back, what was it that prompted you to include a gift for Central in your will?  

When my mother died, I resolved to honour her life by giving half of my inheritance to Central. I wanted it to benefit others who were talented enough to be offered a place but who would perhaps have to turn it down because of the cost of living in the capital.  

I have met several of the students who have benefited and am thrilled that I was able to help them a little along the way.

And finally, do you have any advice for anyone who is in the early stages of thinking about including a gift in their will for Central?   

I would say giving a gift in your will is going to make a lasting difference to those involved in the performing arts, at a time when the arts are more important than ever and at greater threat than ever from under-funding. 

You will not regret it.

Please visit the Leave a Gift in Your Will page for more information