Full of enterprise

Patrick Stewart at the University Centre Oldham

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“STAR Trek” actor Patrick Stewart opened University Centre Oldham’s new £5.5 million extension yesterday.

And he believes that the state-of-the-art building known as University Studios will produce the next generation of stars.

The Hollywood and Shakespearean actor, who achieved cult status as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, performed the ceremony in his role as Chancellor of Huddersfield University.

He then held a drama workshop for performing arts students from the centre. Those invited to watch included students from Oldham Sixth Form College and Oldham College.

Work started on the four-storey Cromwell Street building only eight months ago, and it houses specialist facilities for degree courses such as digital journalism, performing arts, architectural technology and interior design, multimedia design, construction and digital arts practice.

West Yorkshire-born Mr Stewart opened University Centre Oldham — part of Huddersfield University — in 2005 and student numbers have soared from 700 to 1,100.

He said: “The introduction of news courses was limited — restricted by lack of specialist teaching space. This has now been rectified by the building of this new teaching block.”

The curtain then stuck momentarily as he unveiled the ceremonial plaque and he quipped: “There’s a rule in the trade you know . . . you should always check your props!”

Mr Stewart, also famous for playing Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” movies, was famously turned down by Oldham Rep when, as a jobless graduate, he applied for work in 1959.

But he spoke with pride about his involvement with the university centre and described the performing arts facilities as vastly superior to those he had experienced as a student at Bristol Old Vic or in professional theatre.

“I find myself a bit envious when I look round the facilities,” said Mr Stewart, who recently played the title role in “Macbeth” in the West End and Broadway.

However, he added: “This new building alone will not itself produce outstanding students. It is the work within it that will do it, but that work can be enhanced and supported by the right facilities.

“If you have not got to worry about dirt, grime and safety issues you can focus on doing the best work possible.

“I have no doubt whatsoever this department is going to produce some of the most successful and probably most innovative people working in all branches of the performing arts.”