King Charles reveals seriously unexpected possession | Royal | News
King Charles was today offered tap dancing lessons after revealing he had a pair of tap shoes during an engagement. The King joined Sir Idris Elba as he met musical theater students during a celebration of young people in the industry in central London.
Charles met with National Youth Music Theater (NYMT) artists and students from Birmingham CORE Education schools to celebrate NYMT’s 50th anniversary in Victoria. NYMT member Bill said the King told him he had step shoes.
The King asked him, “Are you learning to tap dance?” “He said he had his own step shoes and we offered to teach him.”
When asked if he had booked lessons, the 21-year-old said: “We were unsuccessful, but we will follow up.”
King also told musical theater students that the best way to understand Shakespeare is to “really play it.”
At The Other Palace studio, Kral and Sir Idris met with students participating in drama and musical theater workshops, and also watched a performance by the NYMT’s young artists’ choir in the theatre’s main auditorium.
Toby, 22, said he taught the King a “warm-up technique” in which you blow through a straw to relax your vocal cords.
When he was 18, Sir Idris used a grant from The Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust) to join NYMT, a charity providing music theater opportunities and experiences to young people.
The actor, known for his roles in The Wire and Luther, told students that his drama teacher at school got him into NYMT.
The King cut the “50” cake and took a group photo with young artists and students before taking his seat for the performance, marked with a velvet “CR” cushion.
Charles also met with NYMT staff and supporters to hear about their work to reach the half-century mark.
Before leaving, the King shook hands with the crowd of people who had gathered in the street outside the studio, waving and cheering.
Alongside Sir Idris, the organisation’s alumni include Jude Law, Stephen Graham, Toby Jones, Amara Okereke and Callum Scott Howells.
