THREE Liverpool drama graduates are taking their passion for Shakespeare nationwide, after completing an enterprise course.

Clement Studholme, Lee Hithersay and Alex MacDonald founded the Rubbish Shakespeare Company after completing the Enterprise Fellowship Programme at Liverpool John Moores University.

The actors, who all graduated from LJMU in 2009, show off their passion for the Bard through workshops in the community, at after-school clubs and summer camps.

And having trialled their workshops at schools in Liverpool,Wirral and Chester, they are now planning to extend their reach and hold workshops around the UK.

Mr MacDonald, the company’s artistic director, said: ‘The LJMU programme gave us a solid understanding, greater confidence and knowledge of the ins and outs of business, which has allowed us to set up our own company.

“We wouldn’t be working with Aimhigher if it wasn’t for LJMU’s Enterprise Fellowship Programme and the knowledge and confidence it gave us.

“We have been working in Lancashire, leading workshops focusing on a variety of exam topics, from greater understanding of a specific act or scene, to how to speak Shakespearean iambic pentameter.”

The Enterprise Fellowship Programme, which is backed by Liverpool City Council, supports graduates looking to start businesses in Merseyside.

Emma Hunter, LJMU’s head of student enterprise, said: “The team here at LJMU is delighted to hear about the progress of the Rubbish Shakespeare Company since graduating from the Enterprise Fellowship Programme.

“Clement, Lee and Alex have worked extremely hard over the past year, demonstrating their enterprising spirit and tenacity.

“Their success is well deserved and we look forward to watching them take centre stage in schools across the country.”