The King told musical theatre students he has his own tap shoes, as he attended a celebration for young people in the industry alongside Sir Idris Elba.
Charles met National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) performers and students from Birmingham CORE Education schools to mark NYMT’s 50th anniversary in Victoria, central London, on Thursday.
Bill, a member of NYMT, told the Press Association the King told him he has tap shoes.
He said the King asked him “Do you learn to tap dance?”, Bill then added: “He said he owns his own tap shoes and we offered to teach him.”
When asked if they had a date booked in for a lesson, the 21-year-old said: “We failed, but we will follow up.”
The King also told the musical theatre students that the best way to understand Shakespeare is to “actually act it”.
Speaking to a group who were taking part in a workshop, Charles said: “Are you all keen on Shakespeare?”
They nodded and said “yes” in agreement.
The King then asked “have you actually acted in a Shakespeare play?” and when they said they had not, Charles said: “The best way to understand it is to actually act it.”
In The Other Palace studio, the King and Sir Idris met students who were taking part in drama and musical theatre workshops, and they also watched a performance by a choir made up of some of NYMT’s young performers in the theatre’s main auditorium.
“It’s a bit surreal right now,” Xanthe, 23, told PA after she had warmed up for the performance to the King, which was a medley of Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown and Sunday by Stephen Sondheim.
Toby, 22, said he taught the King a “warm-down technique” in which you blow through a straw to soothe your vocal cords.
When Sir Idris was 18, he used a grant from The Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust) to attend NYMT, a charity which offers music theatre opportunities and experiences to young people.
The actor, known for starring in The Wire and Luther, told students his school drama teacher got him into NYMT.
“It was amazing, changed my life,” he said.
He added: “The King’s (Trust) helped me get into the school. It was amazing.”
Tochi, 18, who performed the first solo in the performance for the King, told PA: “It was kind of crazy because I found out like three days ago.
“They (Sir Idris and the King) were so lovely.
“The reason why I wanted to do NYMT is because Idris Elba did it, so it’s just crazy that I’ve gotten to meet him.
“He’s lived up to the expectations, he’s so lovely.”
The students from CORE schools in Birmingham were improvising how they might react if they saw the King as Charles himself walked in the room.
Charles was impressed and smiled as the acting teacher said: “Three, two, one, come to life,” and the crowd of students exploded with excitement.
“You’ve got good teachers who encourage you,” the King told them.
He also asked if they had to “go through some kind of fiendish test to get here (on their musical theatre course)”.
Before taking his seat for the performance, which was marked with a velvet “CR” cushion, the King cut a “50” cake and joined in a group photo with the young performers and students.
Charles also met staff and supporters of NYMT to hear about their work in reaching the half century.
The founder of the organisation, Jeremy James Taylor, told PA of the King’s visit: “That’s the first time I’ve met the great man himself and it’s wonderful to see him. Wonderful.”
He added he was “delighted” at NYMT’s 50th anniversary.
“Long may it continue,” he said.
Before the King left, he shook hands with members of the public gathered on the street outside the studio as they waved and cheered.
As well as Sir Idris, the organisation’s alumni include Jude Law, Stephen Graham, Toby Jones, Amara Okereke and Callum Scott Howells.
