Actor Mark Rylance '˜honoured' to become patron of Yorkshire theatre

The highly regarded Shakespearean actor, who has also won plaudits for performances in film and TV, joins Dame Judy Dench, who became a patron back in 2012.

Sir Mark, who won an Oscar and BAFTA for his role in Spielberg’s ‘Bridge of Spies’ and more recently as Thomas Cromwell in the acclaimed TV series ‘Wolf Hall’ and as The Big Friendly Giant in “The BFG”, said he was “honoured” to take up the role.

The actor, who was first Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, said: “A community is a group of people who share a story. That story may be as simple as ‘We live by this river’ or ‘We believe that Spring will follow Winter’. Usually the story involves something like ‘We lived through these events...’

“A theatre, a thriving healthy theatre like the East Riding Theatre, is a sign to me of a healthy community.

“A community interested in story. I am very honoured to be one of its patrons and supporters.”

The brainchild of Hollywood actor and Beverlonian Vincent Regan, the theatre offers an eclectic mix of theatre, music and entertainment.

The theatre, which made the announcement during its current festival of young performers, said it was delighted “to have attracted the interest of such a great artist and avid supporter of regional and community arts.”

It said Sir Mark “is a passionate champion of young talent and has been incredibly supportive of ERT’s work in encouraging a new generation to get involved in every aspect of the theatre.”

The festival has seen the return of director Mike Friend, who has been working with 20 youngsters to devise a new play called ‘The Forest,’ which will be performed this Friday and Saturday.