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.

ALRA second years Ajjaz and Raj have walked off with a combined total of £3,500 to put towards their final year of training from this prestigious award. There was fierce competition from the other CDS schools, and it's very rare for two awards to go to people at the same school. Both had to audition in front of a panel which included Lee Menzies, Producer of Enron and Jerusalem, and Alastair Coomer, Casting Director at the National Theatre. They attended an awards ceremony on the 1 July to collect their prizes, and their huge smiles featured in that week's edition of The Stage newspaper. A huge congratulations to both of them!

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

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.

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.

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.

Robert Lonsdale (who graduated from ALRA in 2008) appears in the new drama 'A Passionate Woman' on BBC One. The first episode will air this Sunday, the 11th April, at 9pm. Robert appears alongside Billie Piper (Doctor Who), Sue Johnston (The Royle Family) and Alun Armstrong (New Tricks)

Rob's now readying himself for the West End revival of 'La Bete', starring Joanna Lumley and Mark Rylance. 'La Bete' will transfer to Broadway later in the year.

One of our current 3rd Years, Kirsty McDuff, has walked off with this prize, which gives her free Equity, Spotlight and Actors Centre membership for her first year as a working professional. She was presented with the Award at an evening ceremony, attended by representatives from all the CDS Schools; students had the chance to quiz a panel of industry professionals, including agents from Independent Talent, and Troika.

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. 

Congratulations to Sam Pay, who’s on stage in the lead role in ‘Travels With My Aunt’ at the Queen's Theatre. Click here to read The Stage's review (and to see Sam in a rather fetching hat). Sam Kordbacheh, who acted with the Queen's Theatre last season, will then join Sam for ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ in March 2010. Both Sams graduated from ALRA in 2008.

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!

ALRA is 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 [ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ]

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 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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.