Harriet Walter presents Bates bursary to rising talent Field

Published Tuesday 8 November 2005 at 11:50 by Nuala Calvi

Actress Harriet Walter has presented the first Alan Bates Bursary to winner Mark Field at a reception at the Actors Centre, London.

The award has been launched by the training centre in honour of its former patron and is designed to help promising young actors who have recently graduated from NCDT-accredited courses.

Field, an Oxford School of Drama graduate, was chosen from 64 applicants who auditioned earlier this year by a panel that included actress Frances de la Tour and Royal Court associate director Richard Wilson.

The bursary is worth £2,000, half of which comes in the form of mentoring and classes at the centre, membership of Equity and Spotlight, a voice demo, help with setting up a website and professional photographs.

Speaking after the ceremony, 21-year-old Field said: “This money is a great help financially. It will stop me having to lay bricks, which is what I had to do before. But it has also helped me to get a good agent and to get auditions. My first job is with the National Theatre on their Australian tour of An Inspector Calls, which is amazing.”

Applications for next year’s award will be taken from July.