Catherine West: I am so proud of my ancestor, Italia Conti
SEEING her perform with such passion in the council chamber, it’s not surprising that Islington council leader, Labour councillor Catherine West, is related to a great acting dynasty.
Australian-born Cllr West will later this month celebrate with her family the 100th anniversary of Britain’s oldest theatre arts training school, The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
Based near the Barbican, the school was founded by Cllr West’s ancestor, Italia Conti, in 1911, and later run by her great aunt, Ruth Conti.
Cllr West’s parents, Janet and Rod Conti, are coming over from Sydney, Australia, for the glittering anniversary event. It will be held at the Wimbledon Theatre on July 17 in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Former pupils at the school include Sir Noel Coward, Gertrude Lawrence, Leslie Philips and more recently Pixie Lott. Charles Hawtrey, Bonnie Langford, Patsy Kensit, Sadie Frost and Russell Brand also attended.
Cllr West, married with two children, came to Britain from Australia in 1998 and became involved in politics by chance. “The only acting I did was a bit of Shakespeare at school. My real love was speaking foreign languages and I went on to become a linguist.
“But I’ve always been proud of the achievements of my relatives Italia and Ruth. Italia, who loved the theatre with passion, opened her school in 1911 at a time when women were only just being given the vote.
“Great aunt Ruth, a gifted singer, was just 16 when she sailed over to Britain from Australia in the 1940s to help run the school.
“Ruth, incidentally, is 96 and is still alive and well in Australia. Sadly she’s not up for the 1,000-mile journey over for the celebrations.”
Ruth went on to run the school for 40 years after Italia, born in 1873, died in 1946.
The school’s principal, Anne Sheward, said no one should underestimate the scale of the founder’s achievements and influence. “Her innovative school has given the performing arts in Britain and throughout the world some of the brightest stars and provided work for thousands of others,” she said.
Published: 8th July, 2011
by PETER GRUNER