Bridgnorth teen to give up acting course over tuition fees

Owen Burley needs to raise £27,000 to keep his place at the Music Training College based in Highbury and Islington, in London.

The 21-year-old, from Bridgnorth, completed the first year but now needs to attract sponsorship and donations to the complete his final year.

Mr Burley, who has starred in several plays with Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company, said: "The course is based on two-years of intensive training.

"We have 10 weeks in college and three weeks off for two years.

"We are given many gigs during this time, which include performances in the West End."

Mr Burley, who attended Bridgnorth Endowed School, has already starred with the Leicester Square Theatre, performing in the Unsung Andrew Lloyd Webber concert, and also at the Palace Theatre, in A Christmas in New York.

"My acting is split 50, 50 between Stage and TV acting," he said.

"We also do more than 17 hours of dance a week, starting college at 8.25am and finishing at 5pm, every Monday to Friday.

"The course is £27,000 for the two years training I am also having to find money for my rent, travel and food expenses.

"There are no student loan or bursaries available, so it all has to all be paid for by generous sponsors, or through self-funding.

"Even small donations would be extremely helpful and I would appreciate it very much."

Mr Burley, who studied a National diploma & HND in Performing Arts at Shrewsbury College, has moved from Bridgnorth to live in Walthamstow, London.

He started street dance classes aged 13 and has gone to work on TV and stage, in musicals, plays and music, and has also tried presenting and writing.

To sponsor or support Mr Burley e-mail [email protected]