A STOCKTON Heath performer is set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Marvel star Tom Hiddleston and Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The world leading Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) has offered Libby Cooper a place on their foundation course, which lasts for one term and promises to provide an insight into life at a conservatoire drama school.

The former Priestley College drama student will work on her acting techniques, movement and voice at the world-renowned centre of excellence.

As well as Tom Hiddleston and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, notable alumni have included Anthony Hopkins, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Sean Bean, Taron Egerton, Clive Owen and Maxine Peake.

“I put off applying for ages because I thought I’d be wasting their time. I didn’t tell anyone that I had applied,” she said.

During her course Libby, will take specialist classes in screen acting, an introduction to playwriting and various masterclasses.

Warrington Guardian:

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

The former Bridgewater High School student said it had been a surprise to make the cut.

She added: “I knew I was being considered for a recall, but there’s always someone better than you so I assumed nothing would come from it. I’m just looking forward to acting with other people again because it has been seven months since I was able to do that. There’s only a certain amount of monologues you can get through.”

Libby was originally studying English, French and History elsewhere before she decided to pursue acting.

She chose Priestley College because of its reputation for sending performers to the best theatre schools in the country and studied A-Level drama and BTEC performing arts.

After she completes her foundation course at RADA she hopes to commit to a three-year BA at drama school.

Then, like most actors, simply hopes to make a living from doing the thing she loves.

Libby said: “Coming into Priestley I probably would have said I would prefer to be on screen, but there’s a different kind of freedom with theatre and I think we all miss live audiences. I’d love to be one of those actors who dips in and out of both.”