A British pupil for Nicole

Only one lucky girl will be chosen: Nicole Kidman is funding an annual grant to support women in the theatre industry in the UK

The announcement was made after Dame Helen Mirren warned that people in the theatre industry might be facing homelessness as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hollywood star - and recent star of The Undoing alongside Hugh Grant - will fund the scheme so that a director or producer can progress in her career for six years.

The grant is part of the MGCfutures charity, which is also receiving £300,000 from the Theatre Community Fund, led by Olivia Colman, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and producer Francesca Moody.

Applicants from all over the UK can apply for scholarships of between £500 and £5,000 to support careers in the theatre industry.