It is partly an Access Course and a number of students go on to Degree Courses at leading Drama Schools – in 08/09 they can be found at LAMDA, East 15, Arts Ed, Drama Centre and Italia Conti. Others seek to go straight into all areas of activity undertaken by actors and actresses. Probably the highest profile ex-student currently is Tom Hardy, who won an Evening Standard award for Most Promising Newcomer for work at the Royal Court and Hampstead Theatres and has ranged from the lead in The Man of Mode at the National Theatre to work on both large and small screens, such as Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist, and now Heathcliff in the latest Wuthering Heights. He likes to return to Richmond to teach Screen Acting.
There are three 10 week terms, running from the end of September to the end of June. Working hours are 1000 to 1600/1630 Mondays to Fridays with some extensions at the time of productions. As befits a Course which grew from a professional theatre, there is always some kind of ‘production ‘ in rehearsal – each term sees an hour long workshop show and a full length production. Recent ‘lunchtimes’ have included versions of Under Milk Wood, The Massacre at Paris, A Night Out, The Cherry Orchard, Murder in the Cathedral and Antigone. Full length shows have included Absolute Hell, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Travels With My Aunt.
Classes include Text work, Voice, Voice Overs, Physical Theatre (Lecoq based), Camera work, Research and oral and written presentation of the findings, preparation and presentation of Audition material, sight reading, advice on CVs, photos, etc. Written work is always relevant to an actor’s necessary private and preparatory study. Though the requirements of the Access Course’s Modules are covered, this is a practical vocational programme. No particular ‘line’ is taken in approaching Acting. Students are encouraged to work sensibly towards finding their own ‘system’.
An Acting Course is always demanding, requiring work away from formal contact hours, self –discipline and good time management (absenteeism is unhelpful in what is essentially a collaborative activity). Part time work must not interfere with the School’s programme and time off for interviews, auditions etc must be agreed in advance with the Course Director.