20th July 2010

Over the last month, three ALRA graduates have scooped 4 Star reviews in Time Out for their London shows. 'Elevator' ran at the New Diorama Theatre in May, 'performed with unnerving conviction by Amrita Acharia and Bradley Hall' - Amrita graduated from ALRA in 2009.

Jerome Ngonadi took a role in 'Beak Street' after working with director Ken McClymont on his last ALRA production; the show. Jerome will graduate from ALRA this summer.

His classmate, Simon Kent, has been performing in 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'The Wind in the Willows' in St Paul's Churchyard in Holborn - their 4 Star review was published just last week.

4th March 2010

Daniel Healy has just rung the office to catch up with us, after starring in the hit show 'Backbeat', the Beatles musical, at the Citizen's Theatre in Glasgow. Daniel played Paul McCartney. Click here to see some of the audience reactions to the show- it clearly went down a storm! The Citizen's Theatre have also put together some excellent footage of the fight scenes, and how they learned them- click here to view that video. We're so glad he's had a fantastic time- eight shows a week and still standing- congratulations Daniel!

4th April 2010

Adam Pergande appears in the new Scouting for Girls' music video, for their single 'This Ain't a Love Song'. Adam's currently in his final year here at ALRA, and managed to find time in the hectic schedule to shoot with the band. Click here to watch the video.

4th February 2010

George McLean, who graduated in 2007, got in touch recently to let us know he's just got back from Beijing, where he's been playing the lead villain in 'Gulliver's Travels'. The play toured to Number One venues across Europe before transferring to the National Theatre of China.

10th July 2010

2008 graduate Michael Lyle has been selected to perform in the Old Vic New Voices 24 Hour Plays. Hundreds of people audition each year for the chance to become part of the 50 strong company. The 24 Hour Plays take place on Sunday 25 July; click here to read more about the project.

Mikey also let us know that his TMA Award winning show 'For the Best' will transfer to Liverpool this Autumn, from its home at London's Unicorn Theatre.

30th May 2010

2009 Graduate Fiston Barek has just opened with 'Love the Sinner' at the Cottesloe Theatre. Fiston was described as 'a very good actor indeed' by AN Wilson on Front Row. The Independent calls his National Theatre debut 'dazzlingly persuasive'- click here for the full review. ALRA wishes him the best of luck for the rest of the run.

28th May 2010

ALRA is also accepting expressions of interest from directors, and tutors specialising in Acting Technique, Voice, Movement and Contextual Studies for the new term at ALRA North (Wigan, Lancashire) commencing September 2010. Click here for more details of all current vacancies.

22nd May 2010

Final year students on the 3 Year Acting Course are proud to be taking Moira Buffini's 'Loveplay' to Tara Arts on Saturday 29th May. The show starts at 7.30pm, click here to book tickets.
This performance is part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival, which runs all through May. Students from the first and second year have already got involved, helping the Vayu Naidu Company with a storytelling parade through Battersea Park.
Realtionships with both companies are blossoming, and our students are reaping the benefits of close working partnerships with professional theatre companies. Students from the Stage Management and Technical Theatre Course will be taking up placements with Tara Arts over the next few weeks.

June 11th 2010

ALRA is delighted to announce discounted accommodation at the Wigan Oak Hotel for visitors to ALRA for auditions and open days.

Mention ALRA at the time of booking and they will offer you preferential hotel rates.
Visit the Wigan Oak Hotel website by clicking here: www.wigan-oak-hotel-wigan.com/
Visit the website of their parent company Focus Hotels here: www.focushotels.co.uk

February 18th 2010

We’re excited to announce the launch of ALRA North, a northern base for ALRA. We are delighted to be the first CDS Drama School to offer regional training together with training at our London home. For more information click here.

For The Stage's take on it, click here.

Graduate Sarah Parish (Mistresses, Cutting It) got in touch to congratulate ALRA:
'I'm delighted to hear of the launch of ALRA North. ALRA is a wonderful and pioneering Drama School offering not only a thorough classical training but a first class television course too, which in this day and age is invaluable. I'm truly glad to hear it has spread its wings and will now reach students all over the country.'

If you are an applicant to ALRA, and you’re interested in basing your studies at ALRA North, please email Saul Reid, our Registrar, on sreid@alra.co.uk.

1st March 2010

ALRA are currently seeking a P.A. to support their Senior Management Team. Expressions of interest and requests for further information should be sent to Adrian Hall by 16th March [ahall@alra.co.uk]

February 18th 2010

We’re excited to announce the launch of ALRA North, a northern base for ALRA. We are delighted to be the first CDS Drama School to offer regional training together with training at our London home. For more information click here.

If you are an applicant to ALRA, and you’re interested in basing your studies at ALRA North, please email Saul Reid, our Registrar, on sreid@alra.co.uk.

February 12th 2010

George McLean, who graduated in 2007, got in touch recently to let us know he's just got back from Beijing, where he's been playing the lead villain in 'Gulliver's Travels'. The play toured to Number One venues across Europe before transferring to the National Theatre of China.

February 12th 2010

2007 Graduate Natalie Britton stars alongside Cillian Murphy and Jim Broadbent in Irish thriller 'Perrier's Bounty', on general release from the 26 March. Click here to view the movie trailer.

ALRA has some sad news to report; we received an email on the 10th December from Adele Ward (nee Walker, also class of 2002):

'Just to let you know that very sadly Dean Michael Julian, who graduated from ALRA in 2002, passed away this morning after surgery to remove a blood clot from close to his brain. He never regained consciousness and the life support machine was withdrawn this morning.'

Adele is keen that the message be passed on to anyone who might have known Dean; if anyone would like to pass on messages of support or sympathy, please email info@alra.co.uk, or message 'ALRA Home' on facebook, and we'll make sure they're passed on to Adele.

A memorial service has been planned here at ALRA on Friday 2nd April (Good Friday, and also Dean's birthday). ALRA is organising it jointly with his family and friends; if you would like to attend, please email Amy on asmith@alra.co.uk.

February 12th 2010

Jack Kelly, Stephen Lloyd, Madeleine Cooke and Nicholas Agnew (graduates from 2008) are just putting the final touches to this new play at the Hen and Chickens... '1945. Peace. The Daring Chaps return to Blighty Heroes, ready to get on with their lives, but a dark and sinister threat forces them to unite once more and save the world.' 'Chaps in a Spot of Bother' runs from the 16 - 20 February.

Steve McNeil (2006 graduate) and Sam Pamphilon are hot off the heels of their win at the 2009 Sitcom Trials. In 'The War on Serious', a work-in-progress, they try out sketches for their 2010 Edinburgh show. As seen on ITV's Comedy Cuts, Channel 4's Sunday Night Project & Warner Bros' ComedyBox.

To get tickets for either show, call 020 7704 2001, or click here for the Hen and Chickens website.

February 9th 2010

ALRA are currently seeking a P.A. to support their Senior Management Team. Expressions of interest and requests for further information should be sent to Adrian Hall [ahall@alra.co.uk]

January 5th 2010

2009 Graduate Fiston Barek has just been cast as one of the two leads in a new play at the National Theatre. ‘Love the Sinner’ is scheduled for a 3 month run at the Cottesloe in May. Congratulations to Fiston- what a great start to the New Year!

January 4th 2010

Amy Walsh, another graduate from 2009, got in touch to tell us about her 3 months touring with Hull Truck Theatre Company as an understudy. John Godber was so impressed with her that he wrote a part into his well-known comedy ‘Shakers’ just for Amy!

Amy’s just finishing a 6 week run of Shakers in Hull, playing Janice, the Christmas Temp, and clearly loving every minute!

January 7th 2010

ALRA holds regular Open Days for people interested in taking a closer look at what we do here. The next ones are scheduled for Wednesday 3rd February 2010 & Wednesday 3rd March 2010.

Open Days start at noon with a talk from our Co-Directors, Adrian and Clive, about life at Drama School. We then drop in on some classes, and watch some clips of students' camerawork. If you like, you can stay on for the 2.30pm matinee of one of the 3rd year shows, and we usually find time for a Q & A session with the students just after the show.

Email Sue on info@alra.co.uk to book your place.

Daniel would like to invite all friends of ALRA to come and see him in 'A Yorkshire Tragedy' at the White Bear Theatre in Kennington, which runs until the 24th January. To see the trailer for the show, click here.

Dan got in touch just before Christmas to let us know he's been working non-stop- just after graduating last year he went straight into rehearsals for 'LUV' at the Tristan Bates Theatre, and from there went into a tour of the West Midlands called 'Footsteps the Movie'.

January 15th 2010

John Wild, Head of Voice here at ALRA, runs one-day courses in Audition Technique to help you prepare for the big day. His next dates are Sunday 31st January, and Saturday 27th February. Click here for more information.

March 5th 2010

 

Jack Kelly and Steve Lloyd (graduates from 2008) had a great start to their ‘Cheeky Beggars' Banquet’ Cabaret Nights, held monthly at the Cavendish Arms in Stockwell. Join them on facebook, or email asmith@alra.co.uk if you’re interested in participating; the next one will be in early February.

ALRA has some sad news to report; we received an email on the 10th December from Adele Ward (nee Walker, also class of 2002):

'Just to let you know that very sadly Dean Michael Julian, who graduated from ALRA in 2002, passed away this morning after surgery to remove a blood clot from close to his brain. He never regained consciousness and the life support machine was withdrawn this morning.'

Adele is keen that the message be passed on to anyone who might have known Dean; if anyone would like to pass on messages of support or sympathy, please email info@alra.co.uk, or message 'ALRA Home' on facebook, and we'll make sure they're passed on to Adele.

A memorial service is planned at ALRA for sometime in February- please get in touch if you’d like to hear when details are confirmed.

December 1st 2009

ALRA Director, Clive Duncan, has now completed the new course outline for the Postgraduate Acting Course at ALRA. The course has been extended from 12 months to 15 months. The full details can be read here.

November 9th 2009

ALRA is in the process of clearing a light industrial unit we’ve been using for storage. Its contents are free to anyone who can come with a van and collect it themselves! It contains a range of furniture, including office desks and chairs, sofas, and sideboards. There is also some steeldeck.

It’s a great chance for anyone moving offices, or looking for extra fittings for their space. For more information, contact Adrian Hall on ahall@alra.co.uk

November 1st 2009

ALRA has recently added a new set of First Aid Training Courses to its short courrses catalogue as well as re-launching its Inset Training Days.

ALRA is now able to offer HSE certified First Aid Training with courses running over 1 or 2 days.

ALRA is also very excited to be running a training course for teachers and lecturers to prepare students for Drama School auditions.

October 20th 2009

Stephen will be appearing in the Only Fools and Horses spin-off Sex, Drugs, Rock n' Chips. The programme goes back in time and shows Del and the gang in the 60's when they were 18. Stephen who graduated from ALRA in 2008 will be playing the role of young Boycie. The show will also star Nicolas Lyndhurst, playing the role of Dad.

Becca will be embarking on a 6 month tour with the Vienna English Theatre appearing in Sacrifice. The tour will commence in November 2009 and run through until April 2010. Becca will be playing the part of Beth.

September 22nd 2009

ALRA is 30 this year. To mark the occasion there will be a Gala Evening on Saturday 7th November 2009 at The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, ALRA’s home since 1981.  

Students and teachers from the past 30 years are invited to see The Jungle Book – the current graduate show, look around the school, reminisce with fellow graduates and join ALRA in looking forward to the next 30 years.
 
ALRA will also take the opportunity to announce the ALRA “Birthday Bursaries”, the ALRA Scholarship fund and the launch of the first ALRA Film Festival: 2010.

September 8th 2009

Forthcoming ALRA Open Days are scheduled for:

Wednesday 3rd February 2010 & Wednesday 3rd March 2010

September 4th 2009

ALRA would like to congratulate Michael on being awarded the Dorothy L. Sayers Award from the Theatre Centre. Michael was a cast member of Under the Bedby Brendan Murray, produced by Theatre Centre in Spring 2009. The award was presented on 15th August 2009 by actor Sam West. This is a brilliant achievement for Michael who graduated from ALRA in 2008.

August 1st 2009

As part of the ALRA commitment to widening participation and access for all, we run an extensive outreach programme which covers schools, colleges, sixth form schools and Universities. Each year approx. 40 institutions are visited and receive a talk, workshop and auditions for potential students.

July 15th 2009

All four films starring our 2009 3-year Acting course Graduates are now available in our Media Library. Jump, Rise, Imogen my Mind and Friends Reunited.

July 1st 2009

ALRA was founded 30 years ago this year.  To mark the occasion, next academic year, ALRA will be holding a series of gala evenings and special events.

July 1st 2009

ALRA’s Board of Trustees is delighted to announce the new appointment of Adrian Hall. He leaves his current role as Head of Production at GSA to be co-director along with Clive Duncan, who has been Programmes Director at ALRA for the last five years.

July 1st 2009

ALRA Actors receive special commendations at the BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary awards 2009. Hearty congratulations to ALRA’s four 3rd year performers who received special commendations at the BBC Carleton Hobbs awards.

March 16th 2009

ALRA congratulates its nine singers, who returned from the Coulsdon and Purley Festival with Honours in the Folk Song category, this weekend.

The festival which was an open event to all Choirs awarded ALRA Singers Honours for their performance, the highest award at the festival that afternoon.

January 7th 2009

ALRA (The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) is pleased to announce its affiliation with Full Body and the Voice.

Full Body and the Voice is a theatre company for learning disabled actors and offers workshops and training in the performing arts.

December 11th 2008

ALRA (the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) recently held an “enjoyable and interesting” INSET weekend for drama teachers from across the UK. Presenting teachers with the opportunity to participate in a range of practical workshops designed specifically to explore different approaches and solutions to teaching drama in schools, this weekend was offered by ALRA completely free of charge.