Gareth, a member of the People Show, gave a masterclass to level three Media Performance students at the University on Wednesday (October 29).

As well as teaching the students how to devise experimental theatre pieces, Gareth, who has delivered masterclasses at Bedfordshire for half a decade, admitted he scouts for talent during his visits.

“I’ve always got a scouting eye every time I do these things,” he said. “We’re always on the look out.

“We’ve employed people from workshops. We’ve got a couple in the new show from a workshop we did in London a few years ago.

“It’s just if they’re good and can generate material. There are some good ones [at the University of Bedfordshire].”

Gareth’s annual masterclasses focus on imagination and creation. This year, students were tasked with using language to describe hypothetical stories behind random photographs.

This was followed by an activity involving acting to a music soundtrack. Students then took part in a Q&A session at the end of the workshop.

One student, Sarel Madziya, said:

“It was great to have someone as talented as Gareth come in, let alone to have a workshop with us. His visit was so beneficial and we were able to see a glimpse of what he does with the People Show.

“Not only was the workshop really fascinating, it was nice to be able to have a Q&A session afterwards. It would be great to have him back again to watch our special projects or showcases, to see just how much his visit inspired the students.”

The Media department’s masterclasses continue with the return of Bedfordshire alumnus turned CBBC presenter Gemma Hunt on November 18.

Gemma, who has delivered workshops at the University before, is to teach level two Media Performance students the art of interviewing.