Glasgow’s star factory: 12 famous faces from the Royal Conservatoire on Renfrew Street
With a history that stretches back 176 years, the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow has trained some of the city’s biggest stars.
On the red carpet at the BAFTA Scotland Award in Glasgow, actor Ncuti Gatwa said: “The drama school just down the road taught me everything I know, I’m using all of that information in my scripts”.
He was referring to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the music and drama school recently named as one of the top five places in the world to study the performing arts.
More than 3000 students from 60 countries are now taught music, drama, dance, production and film at the RCS every year, with its usual programme of more than 500 public performances attracting upwards of 40,000 members of the public.
Recent graduates include actor Lorn Macdonald, actress Anna Russell-Martin, singer Iona Fyfe and jazz musician Fergus McCreadie.
The RCS can trace its roots back to 1847 when the Glasgow Athenaeum was established in the city to “provide a source of mental cultivation, moral improvement and delightful recreation to all classes.” Officially opened by Charles Dickens, it initially offered music classes, however its curriculum was expanded to embrace drama tuition in 1886.
The institution would go on to become the Scottish National Academy of Music in 1929, securing royal status from King George VI in 1944. The Glasgow College of Dramatic Art was formed in 1950 and became the first drama school to run its own TV studio in 1962.
The new identity of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama was forged in 1968 and remained intact until a change of name to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2011 to better reflect the range of courses on offer.
To consider the role the RCS has played in the life of the city and its contibution to the cultural landscape, here are some of the famous faces who have studied there.
More than 3000 students from 60 countries are now taught music, drama, dance, production and film at the RCS every year, with its usual programme of more than 500 public performances attracting upwards of 40,000 members of the public.
5. Robert Carlyle
After his breakthrough film role in Trainspotting, Robert Carlyle went on to star in The Full Monty, The Beach and 28 Weeks Later. Raised in Maryhill he became involved in theatre at the Glasgow Arts Centre before graduating from RSAMD. He co-founded the theatre company Raindog in Glasgow. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
6. Katie Leung
After going to school at Hamilton College. Her dad saw an advert for a casting call for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, encouraging her to go along. She cas cast as Cho Chang, joining the film franchise. She was inspired to continue with her acting career after attending a drama course at the Royal Conservatoire. Photo: John Phillips
7. Ncuti Gatwa
Born in Rwanda in 1992, Ncuti Gatwa was one of three children brought up by his mother in Edinburgh after the family fled the Rwandan genocide. Gatwa’s passion for acting won him a place at the Royal Conservatoire. He says: “RCS’s approach was very personal. It provides you with opportunities to develop in a way that you can’t in the outside world. I felt very cared for.” The Sex Education star will be the 15th Doctor in Doctor Who.
8. Richard Madden
After moving to Glasgow from Elderslie, Richard began his acting career while a student at RCS. His breakthrough role was as Robb Stark in Game of Thrones and he has gone onto star in films including Eternals, 1917 and Rocketman. Photo: Gareth Cattermole