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University honours Wolfgang van Emden - actor and academic – University of Reading

Wolfgang van Emden - one of Reading's most respected academics and a fine amateur actor - is being honoured at a special ceremony being held at the University on Thursday 11 December. The University's Humanities and Social Sciences Theatre is being renamed the 'Wolfgang van Emden Theatre' in memory of the thespian who gave so much pleasure to Reading's theatre-goers for decades. As well as being a world-renowned specialist on the medieval French epic, Professor van Emden was a committed member of various amateur dramatic societies in Reading, particularly the Progress Theatre which he was actively involved with right up until his sad death last year. At Progress, he acted alongside a very young actor called Kenneth Branagh, and he also founded the tradition of a yearly play in the University's French Department, of which he was head between 1975 and 1991. Professor van Emden was also Director of the Graduate Centre for Medieval Studies (GCMS), which is hosting the renaming ceremony. Dr Francoise Le Saux, the current Director of GCMS, said: "Wolfgang was a world expert in his academic field, but he was also a very keen actor and director. "He supported student productions with enthusiasm and generosity, and that is why the renaming of the theatre is such an apt way of honouring his memory." Professor van Emden was born in Dresden, Germany, in 1931. He came to Britain as a six-year-old refugee and took his BA and PhD at the University of London. Making the study of medieval drama his speciality, he held posts at the Universities of Edinburgh, Nottingham and Lancaster, before coming to Reading in 1974. end Notes for editors -The renaming of the theatre takes place at 5pm on Thursday, 11 December, in the foyer on the first floor of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Whiteknights campus. -If journalists wish to attend, please contact Mrs Elizabeth Berry, GCMS. Tel: 0118 378 8148 E-mail: e.l.berry@reading.ac.uk Alternatively, contact Craig Hillsley, Press Officer, University of Reading. Tel: 0118 378 8005 E-mail: c.hillsley@reading.ac.uk