EXCITED under graduates were preparing for a lecture with a difference today, under the tutelage of a Hollywood A-list actor.

Oscar-winner Russell Crowe was in Durham to give the one-off masterclass to a select group of students.

Today's hastily arranged workshop, titled Leadership and Original Theatre, followed a tweet to his old friend, Durham University chancellor, Bill Bryson.

He offered to give students dramatists the benefit of his expertise and experience in the film world before the American travel writer stands down as chancellor, at the end of term.

Within weeks the visit was arranged, with 200 lucky members of Durham Student Theatre (DST) group to receive the private lecture at their 'home' theatre, The Assembly Rooms, in North Bailey, near the cathedral, today.

As the venue has limited seating a ballot was staged among the 816 DST members to select the lucky 200.

Sarah Peters, president elect of DST, said everyone was looking forward to meeting the New Zealand-born actor, star of film blockbusters Gladiators and Robin Hood.

"It's very exciting that it's actually happening.

"It's been in the pipeline for a few weeks, following the original tweet, but it has only been confirmed for the last four days.

"He's going to be giving us advice about how to get into the film industry and later he'll be showing us a home-produced movie, and giving a question and answer session with Bill Bryson.

"It's unfortunate that only 200 students could attend, so we decided the fairest way of selecting who was to be in the audience was to stage the ballot.

"The arrangement was that if anyone dropped out someone else would be offered their place and there were plenty of takers."

Mr Bryson said the offer from his old acquaintance was too good to turn down.

"I met him a few years ago and, I hardly recall it, but, evidently, during the evening he asked about the drama department.

"Although we don't have a drama department we do have a thriving theatre group.

"He said that, maybe, one day he'll come up and do a workshop, but then, suddenly, out of the blue, he said I'll go ahead and do it and he's essentially now coming up to do it.

"I don't believe he has come to Durham before.

"I hope to give him the chance to come and look around the university at least, while he's here."

The visit was strictly a private arrangement, although some star spotters were already to be seen out on the city's medieval streets this morning.