Rufus Wainwright visits Huddersfield Grammar School

Jul 21 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SINGER songwriter Rufus Wainwright surprised children at the end of their school’s art week.

The star spoke to pupils at Huddersfield Grammar School about his debut opera Prima Donna which premiered in Manchester.

Headteacher Janet Straughan said: “It was absolutely fantastic. He was so pleasant and easy-going and just a smashing chap.

“He spoke to them about his Prima Donna show and was really quite jokey with the kids.

“He answered questions about music and he sat down at the piano and sang Hallelujah for them.”

Rufus was staying at the five star Crow Hill Cottages in Marsden while he was working at the Manchester Music Festival.

While at the cottages he spoke to owner Eve Wood and she suggested he might like to go to the school to speak to the pupils.

Eve has two children at the grammar school and Rufus, 35, offered them free tickets to the show.

Eve, 47, said: “I thought it would be lovely for him to visit the school as part of arts week.