A Tradition of Success

Keith Allen FRWCMD (Acting, 1974), as well as being a writer, director, and presenter, has developed a vast TV and film portfolio including the movies Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and The Others.

Oliver Browne (current fourth year student) has been offered a trial as Principal Tuba with Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Rob Brydon FRWCMD (Acting, 1986) won British Comedy Awards for both Marion and Geoff and Human Remains, and has many comedy credits to his name, including Gavin and Stacey and films including 24 Hour Party People, MirrorMask and A Cock and Bull Story.

Dave Danford (Music, 2006) has performed as a solo percussionist at events across the UK since graduating and recorded his own album, Rhythmic Renaissance, in 2007.

Wilf Driscoll (BMus, 2006) is currently on trial as Principal Tuba with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Rhian Lois Evans (current fourth year vocal student) won the national Bryn Terfel Scholarship in September 2008.

Sir Anthony Hopkins FRWCMD (Acting, 1957) won the Oscar for Best Actor in 1992 for Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs and has become one of Hollywood’s most revered actors.

Roderick Howie (Music, 2007) completed his first year as Principal Oboe at the Guanzou Symphony Orchestra in China in October 2008.

Ruth Jones FRWCMD (Acting, 1989) co-starred and co-wrote smash-hit comedy Gavin and Stacey and won a BAFTA Audience Award and Best Female Comedy Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards.

Jo Joyner (Acting, 1999) won the Rose d'Or international award for Best Female Comedy Performer in 2006 for Swingers, and won the award for Best Dramatic Performance at the 2008 British Soap Awards for her role as Tanya Branning in BBC’s Eastenders.

Eve Myles, (Acting, 2000) won the Bafta Cymru award for Best Actress for her role as Gwen in Torchwood, won a Sunday Times Ian Charleson Award for her performance of Lavinia in Titus Andronicus with the Royal Shakespeare Company and performed opposite Michael Gambon in Henry IV, Parts I and II at the National Theatre.

Kimberly Nixon (Acting, 2007) launched her career with Dame Judi Dench in the BBC’s award-winning Cranford, has starred in two films, Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging and Wild Child, and made her professional theatre debut in the London production of The Girl with the Pearl Earring in Autumn 2008.

Laura Parfitt (Music, 2004) sang Rosina in Rossini’s Barber of Seville with Welsh National Opera in Autumn 2008.

Only Men Aloud!, winners of BBC’s Last Choir Standing in September 2008, are made up of current College students and graduates, and are directed by Royal Welsh College vocal tutor Tim Rhys-Evans.

Tim Routledge (Stage Management, 1996) is assistant to Durham Marenghi, one of the world’s great lighting designers, and working on the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics

Dougray Scott FRWCMD (Acting, 1987) played the villain in Mission Impossible II, personally chosen by Director Tom Cruise, and starred in Bond movie The World is Not Enough.

Dave Stapleton (Music, 2002) has become a major player of the UK jazz scene. He founded the label Red Eye Music and the jazz band, Full Circle, and The Dave Stapleton Quintet whose debut album When Life Was In Black & White was released in 2005.

Adam Wiltshire (Stage Design, 2003) won a Linbury Prize for Stage Design in 2003 and has designed across the UK in Theatre and Opera and to great acclaim for the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden.