The Marlowe Society Showcase is an important event in Cambridge’s theatre calendar, as graduating actors perform a variety of monologues and duologues in front of a crowd consisting of casting directors, agents, and the public. Cambridge has an international reputation for producing some of the most celebrated and finest actors: Sir Ian McKellen, Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Eddie Redmayne, Thandie Newton, Rachel Weisz. The list is a bounty of household names and global celebrities who have received accolades and praise for their craft, a craft that the colourful and bubbling theatre scene at Cambridge allowed them to cultivate. With a new generation of acting talent ready to graduate and pursue their stage ambitions outside of the planks of the ADC, as well as a new crop of Freshers eager to make their mark & add a flurry of CAMdram credits to their name, the Marlowe Showcase is almost a passing of the torch.

Here, a few of those involved give their tips on the back of their time as Cambridge thespians before their performance at the ADC on Thursday 14th November.

Never stop believing in yourself. You’ll be surprised at just how much you’re capable of doing, so take risks, make mistakes, be yourself and just go for it!
- Ella Duffy
Rachel Corrie [My Name is Rachel Corrie], Agave [The Bacchae], Ursula March [Sweet Charity]

Do things terribly wrong, which completely terrify you, and which are - for the love of God - fun.
- Mark Milligan
Ariel [The Tempest], Alex [A Clockwork Orange], Henry V [Henry V]

Do anything and everything, even if you think you might hate it. Being out of your comfort zone can be the most productive thing. I thought I would hate film acting, then my friend asked me to be in his short film and it was one of the most enjoyable and fun acting experiences I have ever had.
- Rose Reade
Julie [After Miss Julie], Poggio [‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore], Tessa [Lean]

Make the theatre you want to make, and allow yourself to experiment and make mistakes. The space, funding and company of other creative people available to you during your time here is unique.
-Aoife Kennan
Mrs Lovett [Sweeney Todd], Viola [ETG 2015: Twelfth Night], Ann Deever [All My Sons]

Don’t get stressed by audiences and reviews, just make the most of what we have in Cambridge. Be creative, experimental, exciting - but most of all enjoy the process. You will never have an opportunity like this again, so push yourself!
- Marthe de Ferrer
Director [Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Blood Wedding, Associate Director [Othello]