UCLan thespians take advice from television, screen and theatre star George Costigan

15 November 2017

Actor comes to Preston to officially open Great Northern Creative Festival

An actor with more than 40 years’ experience in the industry has shared vital tricks of the trade with students from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

Television, screen and theatre star George Costigan spoke to students about breaking into the business and his varied career, which includes a starring role in Rita Sue and Bob Too, appearing in Calendar Girls, Shirley Valentine and Sally Wainwright’s Happy Valley to name a few, and writing for the small screen and stage before his debut novel The Single Soldier.

The actor was at the University to officially open the annual Great Northern Creative Festival, which aims to showcase the creative talent in media, film, photography, journalism and performance at the University.  George was able to spend time with students ahead of his ‘An Audience with’ style public event on campus.

"I see passing on my knowledge as my duty to the next generation; it’s a contradictory profession and actors need to be aware of this going into it."

Advising the students George said: “There are no set rules in this business.  Every piece of material requires a different approach and every actor approaches things differently.  I see passing on my knowledge as my duty to the next generation; it’s a contradictory profession and actors need to be aware of this going into it.”

Final year acting student Channique Sterling-Brown commented: “George is unapologetically himself and reminded us that we don’t want to lose what makes us tick.”

Fellow acting student Duncan Butcher said: “George is very inspirational.  He’s done so much in his career so it was a great opportunity to learn from someone with so much experience.”

An Audience with George Costigan opened the six-day programme of events.