East 15 Student Wins the BBC Radio Drama Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award
Paul Richard Biggin, who is soon to graduate from East 15's BA Acting degree, has been named as one of the four winners of the BBC Radio Drama Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award - the most prestigious radio drama award for drama students in the UK.
Named after one of radio's most distinguished actors, the Carleton Hobbs competition has been run by BBC Radio Drama every year, since 1953. BBC Radio Drama is known for finding and encouraging those starting out on their careers as professional actors. In its time, the competition has launched the careers of 120 outstanding graduating students. The Carleton Hobbs Bursary is aimed at students graduating from regular (or post-graduate) courses run by accredited drama schools across the country. Via the competition, the judges 'look for distinctive, versatile radio voices'.
Five final-year students from twenty accredited drama colleges (a total of 80 students) from around the country took part this year, competing for the coveted award and a five month professional contract as a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company. Chaired by Radio Drama producer, Toby Swift, the judges comprised Gordon House, (former Head of BBC Radio Drama), Amanda Howard, (agent, Amanda Howard Associates Ltd), Paul Copley (actor) and Rebecca Wilmshurst (BBC production executive).
Paul, from Yorkshire, will join the other three winners at Bush House, on 22 July this year, where he will start his contract as part of the BBC Radio Drama Company.
Arsher Ali, East 15's winner of the Laurence Olivier Student Bursary 2005, also entered the competition, and was commended for outstanding solo work, for his performance of Nabs from Slowtime by Roy Williams.
John Baraldi, Director of East 15, said: 'This is wonderful news for Paul as well as for the School. This prestigious award to Paul recognises his professional potential and his success reflects his hard work and talent, as well as the very fine teaching that happens at East 15.'
