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More than 100 students past and present celebrated New Zealand drama teacher Ken Rea's 30 years at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama last weekend.
In a series of tributes, former students Joseph Fiennes, Orlando Bloom, Ewan McGregor and Damian Lewis recalled why they thought Rea was such an inspirational teacher.
Said Bloom: "Ken always said, 'Be dangerous, don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself. Be courageous'. I miss his classes, but the lessons I never stop learning."
Lewis, who starred in Band of Brothers and The Forsyte Saga, said: "The word generosity sums up Ken. It wafted around rehearsal rooms like a soothing balm."
McGregor: "I still practise the mime rope-pulling trick on a daily basis, and I think I've almost got it now. On a more serious note, Ken's opinion always meant a great deal to me, and still does. When I know he's in the house when I'm on stage, I still get the wobbles."
The group presented Rea with an ancient, sweaty, signed gym mat
"Your sweat, too?" Rea asked Joseph Fiennes, who nodded, "Of course."
Rea told the gathering: "While you are here at drama school, you have the luxury of ideals. You can afford to dream of a bright future in a friendly world.
"I think our job as teachers is to fire up that idealism so strongly that it will send you out into an uncertain world, confident enough to keep those dreams alive through all the ups and downs of your career."
Rea trained in Auckland at the academy of Gil Cornwall, which produced actors such as Ellie Smith, Lisa Harrow and Bruce Purchase. Harrow and Purchase became well-known in the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Before leaving New Zealand Rea worked at the Mercury Theatre for several years, then had two years in Wellington with Downstage Theatre and was in the TV soap opera Close to Home.
Other actors he has trained at Guildhall include Sarah Lancashire, Neil Morrissey, David Thewlis, Alistair McGowan, Rhys Ifans and Daniel Craig.
