Where
are you
now?
Angel Coulby, QMU acting graduate,
has recently wowed the critics with her
stunning vocal performance in the new
BBC 2 drama ‘Dancing on the Edge’.
Best known for her portrayal of Guinevere
in the hit TV BBC fantasy series ‘Merlin’,
Angel again graced our screens in February
this year when she played the part of Jessie
Taylor in the BBC 2 drama. The explosive
drama, set in the 1930s, follows a jazz band
as they find fame and royal patronage on
the society party circuit.
Madras Lodge, Gullane
Q.M.U.G.A.
CONTACTS
Bookings Secretary for
Madras Lodge
Anne Yokes
T: 07817 328035
E: [email protected]
Former ‘Merlin’ star
finds her voice in
‘Dancing on the Edge’
Social Secretary
Dorothy Finlayson
4 Brunstane Road North
Edinburgh
EH15 2DJ
T: 0131 669 5341
Membership Secretary
Helen Kerr
26/6 Hawthornbank Lane
Edinburgh
EH4 3BH
T: 0131 220 2714
E: [email protected]
Committee and General
Communication
Maureen Paterson
Fettes Court
5/2 Craigleith Road
Edinburgh
EH4 2DL
T: 0131-332 0097
E: m a u re e n l p a t e r s o n @
gmail.com
Angel took everyone by surprise when
she auditioned for the TV programme
at the very last minute. She hadn’t told
anyone she could sing, not even her agent.
Stephen Poliakoff, the programme director,
was unaware of Angel’s hidden talent, but
when she opened her mouth, the casting
team knew they had found the right person.
Angel’s character is loosely based on the
singer Florence Mills who supposedly had
an affair with the Duke of Kent and who
died of TB in her 30s. Starring next to
some well-known actors including John
Goodman, Mel Smith and Anthony Head,
Angel played a major role in two episodes
of the five-part series.
Since graduating from QMU in 2001, Angel
has starred in numerous TV programmes
including ‘The Bill, ‘Casualty’, Holby City’,
‘Hustle’, ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Vincent’ before
getting her big break in ‘Merlin’. ❒
Silke Harting – HIV/AIDS
Project Co-ordinator, South Sudan
Silke was living and working in Niger when she
decided to apply for her MSc in International
Health at QMU. After four years in the arid heat
of Africa, Silke was dreaming of wide green
slopes and warm rain - so Scotland seemed
like the perfect solution.
Silke originally trained as a medical anthropologist,
but her work in Africa made her realise she could
do more with some additional skills. Having
seen the programme with QMU’s Institute for
International Health and
Top reviews
for drama graduates
Development, she thought it would be the
perfect place to gain the management and
methodology skills she was looking for. “I
had a great time at QMU, meeting staff and
classmates from 24 different countries. I still
have my tutor’s mantra in my head – ‘be a
reflective practitioner’.”
At present, Silke is working as a programme
coordinator for a number of HIV/AIDS and health
related projects in Lakes State, South Sudan,
and the skills she learned on her MSc have
allowed her to work confidently and effectively
at a managerial level. Talking about her present
life Silke declared: “Life for me is intense and
rich in terms of encounters. I have now worked in
Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia, Somali Region
Tanzania, East Timor and South Sudan. If I had
to give one piece of advice to current students
or other recent graduates, it would be that they
keep their skills up to date and realise the power
of continuously networking.” ❒
Scottish theatre critic, Joyce McMillan gave a four star review in the
Scotsman newspaper to Jamie Laing and Tom Birch for their play ‘This little
piggy’ which was performed at Oran Mor, Glasgow in November. Jamie and Tom
are both Drama and Theatre Arts graduates from 2011. ❒
QMYOU / Where are you now?
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