Queen’s College, Taunton, is proud to announce that legendary actor, director and playwright Steven Berkoff has become a Patron of Queen’s College Performing Arts. 

Berkoff is renowned for his commanding performances in Hollywood blockbusters such as Beverly Hills Cop and Rambo, as well as the James Bond classic Octopussy. His television credits include a memorable guest role in Doctor Who and a recurring part in historical drama Vikings, showcasing his remarkable versatility across genres. A giant of British theatre, Berkoff has also made numerous appearances at the National Theatre and is acclaimed for his original stage work as both writer and director.

The appointment as an honorary patron followed a recent visit to Queen’s College, where Berkoff delivered an inspiring talk to Year 10 and Year 12 students and Performing Arts Scholars, offering extraordinary insights into one of the most distinctive and daring careers in the Performing Arts.

After visiting the students, in conversation with Ian Trafford (Director of Performing Arts at Queen’s College), Berkoff said “I would just like to add how impressed I was by your very bright students. I must say it was most enjoyable and also very stimulating and I have seldom come across a group of young people, in the many talks I have done over the decades, who were so attentive and curious. I must surmise that this degree of alertness must have stemmed from more than inspired teaching, for which I must blame you!

Steven Berkoff’s patronage reinforces Queen’s College’s ongoing commitment to excellence in Performing Arts. The Queen’s Hall Theatre has long been a platform for ambitious, professional-standard student productions, and continues to go from strength to strength. This academic year alone, the theatre staged a sell-out run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, with over 2,000 tickets sold. A local news outlet praised the production, stating, “My expectations were met and surpassed with the secondary students clearly pouring their heart and souls into their performances. Overall, I thought this show was truly magical.” With Berkoff’s support, the College looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to inspire the next generation of performers.

Ian Trafford said: “Steven Berkoff’s contribution to global theatre and cinema is legendary. His support of the Queen’s Performing Arts puts our students at the heart of something truly special, a space where professional excellence and student creativity can thrive side by side.”

Queen’s College are still accepting applications for September 2025, contact admissions@queenscollege.org.uk for more information.