Dr Who star is surprise guest at Eden Court Theatre

DOCTOR Who star Karen Gillan has made a special guest appearance at Eden Court Theatre.

Miss Gillan, who plays Amy Pond in the popular sci-fi programme, surprised students by appearing at the end of term performance of works by Eden Court Theatre’s 2010 London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) students.

The 23-year-old, who is Eden Court’s arts education ambassador, also presented the 49 students with their LAMDA awards.

Miss Gillan, who is from the Kinmylies area of Inverness, is a former student at Eden Court Theatre and attended its youth dance company, senior youth theatre, and undertook both her SQA Higher Drama and LAMDA exams at the theatre.

The television star was on hand to watch and encourage the students — many of whom hope to follow in her footsteps — in their performances.

Eden Court’s LAMDA students have had another hugely successful year, with everyone achieving at least merit or distinction.

"I am pleased and proud to be able to come back to Eden Court and help with the LAMDA awards," said Miss Gillan. "I did so much stuff at that theatre over the years so it was great to be back. It was very special.’

Meanwhile, Cauldeen Primary School has made it to the last 10 in BBC Learning Script to Screen Competition, which offers one lucky team of budding scriptwriters the chance to take a time-travelling adventure in the Tardis with the Doctor.

Children from across the UK were invited to write a script from their own three-minute Doctor Who adventure. More than 100,000 scripts were received.

Cauldeen put its script together with the help of Eden Court arts worker Jesse Paul.