Poldark’s Aidan Turner backs campaign to help under-privileged Londoners realise theatre dreams: ‘We want to make it accessible to all’

Poldark star Aidan Turner today praised a charity helping less privileged Londoners start a career in the theatre.

The Irish actor, 35, who shot to fame playing the heartthrob central character in the hit BBC period drama, was speaking ahead of a fundraising performance of The Lieutenant Of Inishmore at the Noël Coward Theatre tomorrow.

All ticket sale proceeds will go to MGC Futures, which provides bursaries and mentoring, and ensures young people from disadvantaged backgrounds become part of theatre audiences.

Turner said: “For some, a career in theatre might seem like an unachievable dream, which is why initiatives like MGCfutures are essential in offering support and guidance to people navigating the industry.

“Not only do we want seeing theatre to be accessible for all, but also for making theatre to be open for everyone as well.”

The play, which sees Turner play a terrorist deemed too violent to be a member of the IRA go on a rampage after his cat is killed, is directed by former Donmar Warehouse artistic director Michael Grandage.

Grandage, who has since produced plays in the West End and on Broadway with names including Nicole Kidman and Martin Freeman, established MGCfutures in 2012.

He said: “I believe very strongly that what you watch on stage, and what goes into making the theatre, needs to represent the pavement you have just walked in from.

“The world we are living in right now is fantastically diverse, and we therefore need to make sure that audiences, what’s on stage and the people who put plays on are diverse, because then all we are doing is representing the world we live in. That is an obligation we all have.

“I think the theatre in England is changing quite significantly and rapidly to meet those obligations, and this charity is helping people to get there quicker.”

Tickets at https://mgcwestend.co.uk/lieutenant/