Sherlock actress and Putney High School old girl returned to her former stomping ground to open a performing arts centre.

Olivia Poulet, known for her roles in Sherlock and The Thick Of It, raised the curtain on November 4, at the school where her own acting career began with drama lessons.

The new centre gives pupils the chance to perform and work backstage.

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Pupils were involved in the design of the building and it now includes an acoustically-sensitive and spacious performance theatre, stage area and raked seating, staggered at different heights for better viewing, as well as state-of-the-art sound and lighting, a green room for performers and a concert Steinway piano.

Headmistress Suzie Longstaff said, "We are incredibly proud of this magnificent performing arts centre, which will give all our girls the chance to have a professional theatre experience, both on stage as performers, and backstage as sound and lighting technicians and stage managers.

"We are very grateful for the support of the Putney High School community: none of this would have been possible without the generosity of parents, alumnae, staff and the Friends of Putney High School (FOPHS) as well of course as the Girls’ Day School Trust."