Dame Judi Dench has thrown her support behind a charitable scheme to fund scholarships for budding actors.
The Oscar-winning actress was joined by Skyfall co-star Ben Whishaw for a special fundraising event last Tuesday for students studying at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
The school, in Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, which counts Dench among its alumni, is aiming to build the Scholarship Fund year-on-year so it is able to provide grants for up to a quarter of the student body.
The fundraiser raised £30,000 towards the scheme, which will support 15 students from September 2013.
Alumnus and Central president, Michael Grandage, hosted the fundraiser at a production of hit West End show Peter and Alice by John Logan, which stars Dench and Whishaw.
Gavin Henderson, principal of the drama school, said: “It was such a wonderful evening which truly reflected Royal Central’s investment in providing talented graduates to the creative industries.”
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