Italia Conti, one of the UK’s leading and longest-established performing arts institutions, has announced that it will mark its 115th anniversary in 2026 with the launch of the inaugural Noël Coward Scholarship, alongside new charitable funding designed to widen access to professional training in acting, musical theatre and dance.
Founded in 1911 by actress and teacher Italia Emily Stella Conti, the school began as a small stage school in central London and has since grown into an internationally respected training institution. Over its 115-year history, Italia Conti has helped launch the careers of countless performers, with alumni including Noël Coward himself, Wendy Richard, Tracey Ullman, Naomi Campbell, Louise Redknapp, Martine McCutcheon, Danny Mayes, Pixie Lott, James Nelson-Joyce, Layton Williams, Mimi Keene and many more across successive generations of British and international talent.