A NEW course has been set up in Bradford to prevent budding actors from leaving Yorkshire to pursue their dreams.

Bradford College hopes its two new specialised degree-level courses – in acting and musical theatre – will halt the drain of drama talent from the county.

The Higher National Diploma courses have been designed by the college’s drama lecturer and professional actor, Tom Aldersley, who was driven to introduce them by personal experience.

Mr Aldersley has appeared in soaps Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, and hails from Skipton. However, when he started his career he had to move away from home to find the right training.

He said: “I had to leave Yorkshire and go and live in Manchester for my training and it has always been a bug bear of mine that there wasn’t anything suitable closer to home. I have used my experience of not just being an actor for 15 years but of having taught at other drama colleges and universities to create courses that are practical, vocational and that will give students the skills and experience that employers want.

“The new courses will effectively create a drama school-type course over two years and I hope it will attract local talent for whom the cost and practicality of moving away from home, especially to the capital, is a barrier to entering the industry. We should also be attractive to students from further afield too as Bradford is a very affordable city.”

The courses are being offered via the college’s Northern School of Creative Industries.

Tom believes Bradford’s growing reputation as a filming location could also be a draw to students. Two TV hits have been filmed at Bradford College in recent years – Gunpowder for the BBC, featuring Kit Harrison and Liv Tyler, and Kay Mellor’s ITV drama Girlfriends, which starred Miranda Richardson, Zoe Wanamaker and Phyllis Logan. Bafta-winning period drama Peaky Blinders and the comedy film Funny Cow have also been shot in the district and Bradford is also the world’s first UNESCO City of Film.

Mr Aldersley said: “The college also has strong links with the Royal Shakespeare Company, working with them and the Alhambra Theatre on education projects for local schools. Students will also have the chance to gain direct employment opportunities through a theatre company run by our graduates. I believe we are offering something quite unique in Yorkshire and a viable alternative to going to drama school in Manchester, Birmingham or London.”

The courses run for the first time this September and anyone considering applying can call 01274 433 333 or attend the college’s next open day on July 7.