King Charles has revealed that he owns his own tap shoes and has been offered lessons by students of the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT). The revelation came during a visit to mark the theatre organisation's 50th anniversary, where the King was joined by actor Sir Idris Elba.
Royal Visit to NYMT
On Thursday, the King met NYMT performers and students from Birmingham CORE Education schools in Victoria, central London. During the event, a student named Bill told the Press Association that the King had shared his interest in tap dancing. "He said he owns his own tap shoes and we offered to teach him," Bill said. When asked if a lesson had been scheduled, the 21-year-old admitted: "We failed, but we will follow up."
Shakespeare Advice
The King also offered advice on understanding Shakespeare, telling students that the best way to grasp the Bard's work is to "actually act it." He asked a group of workshop participants if they were keen on Shakespeare, and when they confirmed they had not performed in a play, Charles said: "The best way to understand it is to actually act it."
Performance and Warm-Down Techniques
In The Other Palace studio, the King and Sir Idris watched a performance by a choir of young performers, which included a medley of songs. Xanthe, 23, described the experience as "a bit surreal." Toby, 22, taught the King a vocal warm-down technique involving blowing through a straw to soothe the vocal cords.
Idris Elba's Connection
Sir Idris Elba, known for his roles in The Wire and Luther, shared his own connection to NYMT. At 18, he used a grant from The Prince's Trust (now The King's Trust) to attend the charity. "It was amazing, changed my life," he told students. Tochi, 18, who performed the first solo, said: "The reason why I wanted to do NYMT is because Idris Elba did it, so it's just crazy that I've gotten to meet him."
Improvisation and Cake Cutting
Students from CORE schools were improvising their reactions to seeing the King when Charles walked in. He praised their teachers and asked about the selection process for their course. Before the performance, the King cut a "50" cake and posed for a group photo. He also met staff and supporters, including founder Jeremy James Taylor, who said: "That's the first time I've met the great man himself and it's wonderful to see him."
Alumni and Legacy
NYMT's alumni include Jude Law, Stephen Graham, Toby Jones, Amara Okereke, and Callum Scott Howells. The organisation has provided musical theatre opportunities for young people for five decades.
