AFTER graduating as an actor from the hugely prestigious Royal Academy of Music, Enniskillen’s John Cathcart has claimed a top bursary which could see his career go from strength to strength.
The Enniskilen man has been recognised as one of the top up and coming local drama stars and he recently completed a multi-year degree in acting at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Having played a lead role in a number of dramas and musical productions, the former St Michael’s College student has now claimed a top bursary which recognises some of Ireland’s leading actors.
“We want to extend a massive congratulations to our friend and member John Cathcart who has received the AIMS Bursary,” said a spokesperson for the ‘Agnes Choral’ group.
“John has just finished a year at the Royal Academy of Music and we can’t wait to see what he does next.”
AIMS, better known as The Association of Irish Musical Societies, is one of the leading organisations which plays a key role in the development of the career of local acting stars.
“Over 130 musical societies, throughout the whole of Ireland, are members of AIMS,” a spokesperson for The Association of Irish Musical Societies said.
“This relates to around 14,000 people directly involved with musical theatre and an audience base of around 1.2 million.
“AIMS provides many services to its members, ranging from help and advice in choosing shows, resolving any difficulties that they may face.
“[It also is involved in] running various workshops on all aspects of theatre, through to an adjudication and awards scheme that is constantly pushing forward the standards of musical theatre,” they added.
The Enniskillen rising star recently took centre stage at the prestigious Belvoir Studio Theatre in Belfast when he played the lead role in a play, which was based on a book by renowned comedian Ben Elton.
‘The Beautiful Game’, which focused on John’s character, John Kelly, followed the fortunes of a group of teenagers from both sides of the religious divide during the ‘Troubles’ in Belfast in the 1960s and 1970s.
Prior to his starring role at the Belvoir Studio Theatre, the Fermanagh actor was awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Scholarship to help cover his tuition fees at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
To read more on this story see this week’s Fermanagh Herald. Can’t get to the shop to collect your copy? No problem! You can download a copy straight to your device by following this link… Subscribe to current edition