HONORARY Salford University graduate Robert Powell returned to the University of Salford to give advice to aspiring performers in the theatre named in his honour – and to visit the newly-opened arts facility.
The Salford-born actor, best known for his playing the title role in Jesus of Nazareth, talked about his career and gave a question and answer session with final year students from the Theatre And Performance Practice programme in the University’s Robert Powell Theatre on Thursday October 20.
The theatre was opened in 2001 in recognition of Powell’s connection with the University and the City of Salford.
He told students: “Always do more than is expected of you and you will never fail.”
During his visit, Powell was given a tour of the £55m New Adelphi Arts Centre – the new home of the University’s School of Arts and Media which houses cutting edge facilities including a 350-seat theatre with dynamic seating, a smaller studio theatre, professional quality TV studios featuring HD cameras, a voice acting studio and a series of high-spec performance studios.
Powell said: “I think the New Adelphi Building is gobsmacking. I’m deeply jealous because when I was a student, we never had facilities like these. I think it’s fabulous.”
The actor, who has recently played King Charles III on Broadway and is currently starring in Alan Ayckbourn’s Relatively Speaking at The Lowry, was made an honorary Master of Arts by the University in 1990 and awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in 2000.
Niki Woods, from the University of Salford’s School of Arts and Media, said: “Robert Powell is a household name, appearing in Holby City and the sitcom The Detectives. Robert’s Salford heritage and his honorary degrees from the University means we’re privileged to enjoy a longstanding relationship with him.
