About Millfield News
OM John Standing returns to Millfield
John Standing, one of Britain's greatest stage actors, is coming to Millfield School in Street on Wednesday 22 February to perform his latest West End offering.
The show, entitled John Standing Swings Cole Porter, will showcase 15 of Porter's greatest songs including You Do Something To Me, Just One Of Those Things, I Get A Kick Out Of You, You're The Top and Night And Day, and tells stories of a life in the theatre and the movies.
John's recent tribute to Noel Coward enjoyed exceptional reviews on both sides of the Atlantic, being celebrated in New York's Backstage as a ‘master-class in acting' and receiving superlative praise, ‘This folks is how it's done.'
John briefly attended Eton before boarding at Millfield from 1949 to 1953. He is the son of actress Kay Hammond, famous for her film portrayal of Elvira in Coward's Blithe Spirit, and Sir Ronald George Leon, a stockbroker.
On leaving Millfield John served in the King's Royal Rifle Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant before attending London's Byam Shaw School for the Arts.
As a great supporter of the School, he is delighted to be returning to Millfield. After his performance, he will be attending a dinner debate with Sixth Form drama pupils, helping to teach and inspire them. This follows on from a similar event held last summer, in which he treated another group of pupils and staff to an acting master class at his home in London.
Marc Cooper, Millfield Head of Drama, said ‘our pupils are exceptionally privileged to have access to one of our greatest actors, a man who really knows his craft. The fact that he's also an Old Millfieldian really helps them to identify with his achievements, and to have aspirations of their own.'
He has played lead roles in the West End and on Broadway including starring with Maggie Smith in John Gielgud's production of Private Lives, at the National Theatre and at Chichester Festival Theatre. He has made many films including The Eagle Has Landed and Rogue Trader, and has appeared in a number of television series including Midsomer Murders, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and most recently, Game of Thrones.
Proceeds from the evening will go towards Millfield Foundation's Scholarship Fund, which helps young people of talent to benefit from a Millfield education, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Access the publicity poster here. For enquiries and tickets please contact Louise Lang on 01458 444517 or email louiselang@millfieldschool.com
