RSC Classical Training Conference Workshops

The RSC are running a Classical Training Conference at Stratford from 16th to 18th September.  On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th there will be practical workshops and demonstrations open to the public.  The workshops are suitable for students of drama and actors over the age of 16.  For a list of these workshops and to buy tickets go to the link here.

Making Shakespeare - RSC Classes

From Monday 15th to Friday 19th August the Royal Shakespeare Company are running a wonderful course for young performers.  It is a week of  practical skills workshops with RSC practitioners, exploring how the RSC create performances on stage.  This is going to cover acting and directing and the week builds towards a short performance at the RSC's Waterside Space.  The days run from 10am, to 4pm.

It costs £125 for the week.  You can find out more about it on this link HERE.

Lend Me a Tenor

Anyone who loves musical theatre has to go and see this show!  It is in previews at the Gielgud Theatre at the moment and the press night is on Wednesday.  Book tickets at this link here.  The show is written by two Americans - Peter Sham (book and lyrics) and Brad Carroll (music) and is directed by the brilliant Ian Talbot.  This is the first big show for Sham and Carroll and it is already playing to standing ovations in the previews.

The leads are Matthew Kelly (Henry), Joanna Riding (Maria Merelli), Damien Humbly (Max), Michael Matus (Tito), Sophie-Louise Dann (Diana) and Cassidy Janson as Maggie.

It is based on a stage play by Ken Ludwig, which is extremely well known in the USA.  Although it means little to us here it makes not the slightest difference, this is an hilarious comedy full of heart.  I will say no more in case I give anything more away.

Masterclass at The Theatre Royal Haymarket

This month there are two excellent Masterclasses from the Theatre Royal Haymarket. the first is being held at the Brighton Festival Fringe today (17th May).   Richard Jordan, theatre producer, will be joining Caro Newling, co-director of Neal Street Productions (which she runs alongside Pippa Harris and Sam Mendes).  This producer panel will be demistifying the baffling production side of the industry, and you will be able to find out how to mount and promote a show - and what it might cost!

The next class on 19th May is being held at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as usual.  This will be hosted by two of London's hottest young stars - Sienna Millar and Sheridan Smith.  They are both appearing in the Haymarket's FLARE PATH, by Terence Rattigan, and directed by Trevor Nunn.  They will be in discussion with leading theatre journalist Matt Wolf and taking questions from the audience.  This will be a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into a life in the spotlight and the rigours of appearing in the West End.

This event will be followed by a special fundraising afterclass, giving a select group the unique chance to join Sheridan and Sienna for an exclusive champagne tea.

For more details go to the Haymarket Masterclass Website

Performances, Auditions and Workshops with A Stage Kindly

This morning I received this message from Katy Lipson and Giles Howe, Producers of A Stage Kindly:

"This Thursday (7th) and the following Tuesday (12th) are very special dates in the Musical Theatre calendar, not least of all because A STAGE KINDLY are presenting their latest exclusive new-writing revue the ‘April Revue’.

There is a late-night performance on the 7th starting at 10pm, at London’s Little Opera House at The King’s Head Theatre Islington, and both a 3pm matinee and an 8pm show on the 12th - featuring extra material and even more performers at East London venue The Space.

The large cast of talented professional vocalists will be bringing to life some of the best material from a whole host of new musicals, especially selected from hundreds of submissions from all around the world, giving you an exclusive taste of what to look forward to from the hottest new writing talent.

The program of music spans the whole range of the Musical Theatre genre with some classic traditional musical comedy to the most cutting edge contemporary shows, proving once again that there is so much to enjoy beyond the West End!"

The director of the April revue Paul Taylor-Mills is also going to be working with A Stage Kindly on a series of workshops for performers.

A Stage Kindly also has auditions coming up for their forthcoming production – the UK Premiere of the hilarious American musical comedy SLAY IT WITH MUSIC. If you are a professional performer and would like to be contacted with audition details the producer's email address is: astagekindly@aol.com

To Book seats for the APRIL REVUE box office details are here:  www.astagekindly.com.

The Sondheim Student Performer of the Year

The judges for the Sondheim Student Performer of the Year have all been chosen now.  It will be hosted by Haydn Gwynne, whose song won the Styles and Drewe prize last year.  The prizes will be presented by Julia McKenzie, George Stiles and Antony Drewe (the composer/lyricist team behind Olivier Award winning Honk, Mary Poppins and Betty Blue Eyes).  The judging panel includes West End stars Anna Francolini and Kerry Ellis, music journalist from the Independent Edward Seckerson, Tony Award winning musical director and arranger Sarah Travis and Timothy Sheader, the Artistic Director of the Open Air Theatre Regents Park.

Students from twelve leading Drama Schools take part, and each performer has to sing a song by Sondheim and a new musical theatre number.  The award takes place at the Queen's Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on May 22nd.  Tickets to this event can be obtained through this link here.

Finding Funding for Studying the Performing Arts

Not all Schools and Colleges for the Performing Arts are part of the government grant scheme and so once you get your treasured place to study dance, drama or music it can be difficult to get funding to support you.

Mrs Worthington has found a really good website to help you with this.  It is called Creative Choices and helps you find funding bodies for all artistic courses that may not be available to the usual funding sources. It also gives you lots of other help with career choices, finding jobs etc.  There is a link to it here