In this week’s Stage we have a 12-page section devoted to musical theatre training. A key theme in the supplement is how training the UK differs to that which other performers may receive in other countries.
- Mark Shenton talks to two leading figures from two US schools on their approaching to training performers specifically for musical theatre
- Director of the National Council for Drama Training Hilary Strong meets the cast of Hair to explore what’s involved in training across the pond
- In Australia, there are only three main centres of musical theatre training — but it’s once performers begin their career that the challenge really begins
- Western Europe is a huge market for musical theatre and high-quality training in countries such as the Netherlands and Germany can open doors to work beyond the UK
- Representatives from leading UK performing arts colleges talk about what their establishments offer
- For performers seeking to extend their skills, Arts Ed’s MA in musical theatre creative practice may fit the bill
- Casting director Pippa Alion answers readers’ questions
Details of a selection of musical theatre courses are available online
Also this week:
Actors John Light and Nigel Harman talks about playing brothers in Sam Shepard’s True West at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre — and about swapping the roles during the run.
The more you read the play, you see how it is about duality. Even though the two brothers haven’t seen each other for five years, they grew up together in the same toxic environment, but chose two different ways to go — one went into crime and became homeless and living hand to mouth, while one went to an Ivy League school…
By playing both parts, you get a real sense of where they cross and where they are the same.
Dominic Rowan talks about playing Henry VIII in Shakespeare’s tale of the monarch’s life at the Globe
The image we have of Henry is a great big bloke, leching over various wives — the murderous tyrant at the end of his life. But in the play he starts of young. It takes us through the divorce [with Catherine of Aragon] and meeting Anne Boleyn. It’s a particular kind of journey because it is about a man who brings back this country in upheaval and becomes his own man, and king.
As Sky 1 prepares to air its latest adaptation of a Terry Pratchett Discworld novel, Going Postal, its stars David Suchet and Richard Coyle talk about their roles. You can also hear costar Claire Foy on The Stage Podcast
Leading theatre names including Alan Ayckbourn, Marti Webb and Imelda Staunton offer advice about working in the industry, how to make the most of your opportunities and how to stay happy, whatever stage your career is at
Stage blogger and critic Mark Shenton has turned producer for the first time since his university days. He talks about the transition and his new play at the Cock Tavern Theatre
Lavish, energetic and specatular, Lebanon’s Caracalla Dance Theatre has been performing in the Middle East throughout its 40-year history. We talk to choreography Alissar Caracalla about introducing the company’s latest production to Western audiences
Your qualifications may be scorching, but recent graduates can sometimes find the business decidedly chilly. Actress Maria Hodson reveals how a well-chosen workshop can do wonders for your career progression
Backstage Focus: We look forward to next month’s Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference
Dear John: What quick and easy techniques can I try to deal with stage fright?
Showpeople: Dancer Balbir Singh, burlesque/perfomrance artist Vicky Butterfly, star of The Fantasticks Lorna Want
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