Two talented youngsters from Aberystwyth have been chosen as the first winners of the annual Sir Ian McKellen Award.

Aberystwyth Arts Centre announced in July that creative arts students in the area would benefit financially for years to come thanks to the generosity of the Hollywood actor, and 18-year-old Owain Gruffydd and 19-year-old Laura Baker have been chosen as this year’s recipients.

To celebrate his 80th birthday, Sir Ian McKellen toured the country with a solo show, mixing anecdotes with acting and enthralling audiences for hours.

All of the profits from the show were donated to each theatre to benefit specific causes, and Sir Ian’s sell-out show at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on 15 March raised thousands of pounds.

The arts centre announced that the money would be used specifically to fund the Sir Ian McKellen Award.

Owain Gruffydd from Rhydyfelin is heading off to the University of Northampton to study for a BA Hons degree in acting, and Laura Baker from Llanilar will be working towards her BA Hons degree in ballet education at the Royal Academy of Dance.

Thanking the arts centre for his award, Owain said: “It is always an honour to win an award. This one in particular proves to me that dedication to the art will eventually pay off."

Laura added: “I am delighted to have been chosen as one of the winners of the Ian McKellen Award."

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