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29 March 2007

Julie’s real life of Educating Rita

MMU gave star second chance

ACTRESS Julie Walters has spoken of how MMU gave her first ‘big break’ after being expelled from school as a failure.

And she describes her time on our famous acting course as a "just the most wonderful way to learn".

The double-Oscar nominated star whose film credits include Educating Rita, Billy Elliot and Harry Potter, was speaking to Broadway World, a New York entertainment website.

She said: "I trained at Manchester Metropolitan University and it was just the most wonderful way to learn. For starters, you're cast in roles that you otherwise wouldn't be cast in, and you get to do it without critics or newspapers and the media. So, it was great to learn about the truth of acting.

I could do that

"When I told my parents I wanted to be an actor they just didn't understand. I didn't really either. I just used to look at the television and think "I could do that"."

Booted out of school at 16, Julie (like Rita in the film) was offered a second chance to an education by MMU based on her talent and potential, rather than formal qualifications.

"My school basically said they didn't want me back. They said I was subversive. I had to look it up in the dictionary! I was told that with only four GCSEs, I couldn’t possibly go to University.

"Luckily", she continues, "a friend at Manchester Metropolitan told me they had a drama course and encouraged me to apply. So, I went and auditioned, and I got in!"

Wood and Walters

Whilst a student in Manchester, Julie met comedienne Victoria Wood, with whom she later collaborated on the hit series Wood and Walters.

"I remember she came to MMU for an audition. There was this little girl with glasses throwing up in a bucket – she didn’t get in!

And she jokes: "MMU must have suffered because I've told absolutely everybody that story!

"In the end, I got a letter from a director at the University saying: "Look, we're SORRY she didn't get in!"

Household names

MMU’s School of Theatre receives more than 1,000 applications each year and has nurtured talents like Steve Coogan, Bernard Hill, Anthony Sher, David Threlfall and Richard Griffiths, that other Harry Potter regular!

For more about MMU's School of Theatre, go to www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/courses/programme/1001.