Kevin Spacey turns Oxford lecturer

4:05am Tuesday 14th October 2008

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has given his inaugural speech as a visiting professor to students at Oxford University.

The Hollywood star delivered his 5pm lecture at St Catherine's College on Monday, a spokeswoman for the University said.

It was the first time Spacey, 48, had spoken in his role as the new Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at the college.

The one-year post will require him to give lectures, workshops and seminars at the university.

He officially took over the role from Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart when the new academic year started this month.

Previous visiting professors have included composer Stephen Sondheim, playwright Alan Ayckbourn and lyricist Sir Tim Rice.

Spacey won acting Oscars for his roles in American Beauty and The Usual Suspects and has also appeared in hit films such as LA Confidential and Superman Returns.

He is also the artistic director of The Old Vic Theatre Company in London.

He earlier told the BBC he was looking forward to working with the students in his new role, which promotes interest in contemporary theatre.

He added: "If my mother was still alive she would be smiling because she was a great Anglophile. She loved Britain and this would make her quite pleased."

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