LAMDA delights visitors at the 2007 Loire Valley Wines Open Garden Squares Weekend
On Sunday 10th July, LAMDA was thrilled to participate in The Loire Valley Wines Open Garden Squares Weekend. In the beautiful settings of some of London's most exclusive green spaces, LAMDA alumnae Jessica Sedler and Jenny Grove, dazzled visitors with a medley of classic songs.
The four venues were Hereford Square, Iverna Court Garden, Thurloe Square and Holland House Garden - which are all within close proximity to LAMDA's MacOwan Theatre in Kensington.
The Academy looks forward to bringing drama to the doorstep of the local community again soon.
LAMDA Stars At The Royal Court
2006 saw the Royal Court, Britain’s first national theatre company and one of London’s most innovative, celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season. We were delighted that LAMDA was invited to feature in the festivities.
When the Royal Court was founded in 1956, the aim was to create a company that would both challenge and stimulate British theatre. Over the years, the theatre has held firm to this vision and has helped to establish the careers of many prominent writers including Christopher Hampton, Caryl Churchill and Mark Ravenhill. It has also helped to launch numerous talented young actors, including 2005 LAMDA alumnus, Tom Riley, who made his West End debut in the Court’s acclaimed production of The Woman Before.
To highlight the important role that the Royal Court has played in nurturing young talent over the years, the theatre used the occasion of its anniversary celebrations to look to the future and showcase a new generation of outstanding young talent. In recognition of LAMDA’s reputation for excellence, students on the Academy’s flagship Three Year BA (Hons) Professional Acting and Dip HE Stage Management and Technical Theatre Courses were invited to present two Royal Court classics, Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls and The Changing Room by David Storey, in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 18th - 22nd July 2006.
Before transferring to the Royal Court, both plays were rehearsed and performed at LAMDA for the students’ final repertory before graduation. The transfer was a truly unforgettable and successful experience for all involved as they prepared to embark upon their professional careers.
The Academy is thrilled to have participated in such a momentous season at the Royal Court and we very much hope that the wider LAMDA community had an opportunity to see our students on the stage of the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs.
Comedy With Coward
On 26th & 27th April 2006, LAMDA was delighted to have the wonderful opportunity to host a 'Comedy With Coward' Master Class for our first year students on LAMDA's Two Year Acting Course and One Year Directors' Course. This was made possible by the generous support of the Noël Coward Foundation, with whom LAMDA has a longstanding relationship.
Thea Sharrock, Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, kindly agreed to share her insight and experience with our students and run the Master Class. Thea has wide experience of directing Coward's work, including Private Lives at the Bath Theatre Royal and the West End production of Blithe Spirit, which starred Penelope Keith. Thea brought a youthful approach to teaching Coward, making it more accessible for students, both acting and directing, and giving them a confidence and familiarity with his work, which will serve them well in their future careers.
The Master Class took the format of closed workshops culminating in a private evening event, with a showing of scenes from Private Lives, for an invited audience. There was a chance for guests to mingle with the students at a drinks reception after the presentation of the scenes.
We were so thrilled that our students had this fantastic opportunity to take part in the Master Class, generously sponsored by the Noël Coward Foundation. If you would like to know more about ways to get involved in supporting LAMDA’s students, please contact us at development@lamda.org.uk
Click here if you would to know more about current LAMDA student productions open to the public.
An Exclusive Evening with Alan Bennett and The History Boys
On Thursday 20th April 2006, LAMDA was proud to host an exclusive evening with Alan Bennett and The History Boys, in conjunction with the American Associates of the National Theatre. This special evening offered a chance to see some of the UK’s best new talent on Broadway, whilst simultaneously playing a crucial role in supporting the American stars of tomorrow.
Having won countless awards in the UK, including the Olivier for Best New Play, Alan Bennett’s smash hit, The History Boys, is one of the hottest tickets on Broadway. It is particularly close to the Academy’s heart as its two young stars are LAMDA alumni, Samuel Barnett and Dominic Cooper. Together Samuel, who was nominated for an Olivier for his portrayal of Posner, and Dominic, as Dakin, lead a stellar cast, including new young talent and British theatrical treasures, Frances de La Tour and Richard Griffiths, alike.
Both Samuel and Dominic were scholarship recipients whilst at LAMDA and would have never been able to train at the Academy without this crucial support. With an increasing number of young American actors choosing to train at LAMDA, it is now more crucial than ever to secure scholarships, so that no talented applicant is turned away due to financial circumstances.
To support this aim, we were delighted to join the American Associates of the National Theatre in celebrating this superb production with an exclusive evening of Broadway theatre, including an intimate pre-show supper and discussion with Alan Bennett and the Boys!
LAMDA Celebrates Summer with the Genesis Foundation
On June 2nd 2005, the Genesis Foundation Summer Party took place on the Amphitheatre Terrace at the Royal Opera House. The party was a very prestigious occasion and, as the Genesis Foundation have been important supporters of student bursaries at the Academy for some years, we were very pleased to be asked to provide entertainment for their guests. Renowned actress and alumna, Patricia Hodge introduced the LAMDA company which included three former Genesis Foundation Scholars: Samuel Barnett, Alex Hutchinson and Gary Shelford as well as then students Beverly Rudd and Paul Shelford. They were joined by music tutor Caryll Newnham to present a cabaret specially devised for the evening by Peter James that brilliantly showcased their acting, singing and dancing talents.
A delightful evening was had by all and it was a wonderful way for all at LAMDA to say thank you to the Genesis Foundation for their considerable generosity over the years. We would also like to thank Harriet Capaldi and Mel Cooper from Genesis, and Dilshani Weerasinghe, Victoria Green and Martin Shaw from the Royal Opera House for all their assistance and technical support.
LAMDA's Exclusive Evening with Kim Cattrall
A truly sensational night was had by all at LAMDA’s Exclusive Evening with Kim Cattrall in February 2005. Guests were treated to a stunning performance of Brian Clark’s Whose Life is it Anyway? starring Ms Cattrall and LAMDA alumni Janet Suzman and Alexander Siddig, followed by dinner at Marco Pierre White’s Criterion restaurant in Piccadilly where they were joined by the entire cast. LAMDA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Guest of Honour, Kim Cattrall, for so generously and so graciously giving up her time to support LAMDA in this way. A big thank you also to Janet Suzman who’s unfailing brilliance kept guests eagerly bidding throughout the luxury auction held on the night.
LAMDA was also thrilled to see so many other Alumni supporting the evening, including Brian Cox, Patricia Hodge, Kananu Kirimi and David Oyelowo.
The evening raised over £35,000 for the Academy and its talented students and we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our guests for their generous support.
A special thank you must also go to our event partners Instyle and Quintessentially, and our evening sponsors, Perrier Jouët and renowned jewellers, Adler, without whom the evening would not have been possible.
In addition, sponsors Imagination, Jaguar, Links of London, Stila, Mark Hill and Tanner Krolle supported the evening with fabulous auction or goodie bag items for which LAMDA is extremely grateful.
Charming Cocktails!
LAMDA hosted a special alumni networking party with luxury jewellers and fellow Walpole Group members, Links of London, on 18th April 2005 at Links’ new flagship store in SoHo, New York. A fabulous evening was had by all as Links unveiled their newest charm 'High Drama' inspired by and designed especially for LAMDA! With charm bracelets being the latest 'must-haves' on both sides of the Atlantic, the Academy is so thrilled to be honoured in this way, particularly as Links of London donated all profits from the sale of the new charm on the night to LAMDA’s American Scholarships Fund.
The evening, which has already helped to raise over $1,800 towards the fund, was made possible through the assistance and generosity of our sponsors, to whom we give our most sincere thanks:
An additional big thank you must also go to fellow Walpole Group members Tanner Krolle and Aga for their generous contributions to the evening.
If you would be interested in the LAMDA 'High Drama' charm, please contact the Development & Communications Office for further details.
What a Swell Party!
A big thank you to LAMDA alumni Jim Broadbent, Patricia Hodge, Nichola McAuliffe, Jenny Grove, Hywel John, Christian Malcolm and Jessica Sedler for donating their time and talent with some ‘De-Lovely’ performances in aid of LAMDA in December 2004. They delighted the guests at an evening in honour of Sir Peter Middleton, upon his retirement from Barclays Bank. The specially devised cabaret, highlighting Sir Peter’s dedication to leading Barclay's support of arts and community projects, was a huge success, and the night was brought to a wonderful close with the presentation of a £15,000 donation towards the Campaign for LAMDA by the Bank’s new chairman, Matthew Barrett.
The Development Team is also extremely grateful to Peter James for his direction, Caryll Newnham for accompaniment, Karen Peacock for costuming and Stage Management & Technical Theatre alumnus Lee Dennison and his team at Autograph Sound for their tremendous help with this event.
Celebrating 40 Years of Technical Excellence at LAMDA
LAMDA’s flagship Stage Management and Technical Theatre Course celebrated its fortieth year in 2005. This was a truly momentous anniversary for the Academy and one shared with all our alumni.
Various celebrations took place throughout the year, which gave SM&TT alumni the chance to catch-up. One exciting event, held on 24th March, welcomed back one of the founders of the course, Richard Pilbrow, for an exclusive chat with him and other eminent technical theatre professionals. As Richard is one of the world’s leaders in theatre and lighting design, he gave the audience a rare chance to gain an insight into his extensive and illustrious career in lighting, theatre design and production throughout the world. We are thrilled that Richard agreed to return to LAMDA and participate in our 40th Anniversary celebrations.
We Did The LAMDA Walk!
It is official!
The LAMDA Walk, which took place in September 2004, is the most successful fundraising event in the Academy’s history, with over £106,000 raised to secure our new home!
To have reached – and surpassed – our ambitious target is truly a success of which the entire LAMDA community can feel proud and celebrate.
Although we don’t have the space to thank everyone again individually, we would like to say another huge thank you for all the support and dedication, which has made such a wonderful achievement possible. It will not be an adventure soon forgotten.
Click here for the day-by-day account of this epic journey!
LAMDA Hosts 'Private View' of Property from the Estate of Katharine Hepburn at Sotheby's, New York
LAMDA Board members and staff gathered in New York in the summer of 2004, to host a Cocktail Reception and Private View of Property from the Estate of Katharine Hepburn, at Sotheby’s flagship headquarters. The evening was in support of LAMDA’s American Scholarships Fund and raised in excess of $10,000 to support American students training at the Academy. In addition to a Private View of Miss Hepburn’s Estate, guests were treated to a further insight into the collection through intimate gallery talks with Sotheby’s Exhibition Specialists.
Renowned actors, Dillie Keane (LAMDA alumna and then performing in Absolutely Fascinating, off-Broadway), Roger Rees (Frida, currently filming the new Pink Panther film) and Kate Mulgrew (who played Katharine Hepburn in Tea at Five on Broadway and also well known for her role as Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager) joined LAMDA as special guests at the event. The Academy was also proud to welcome distinguished director and personal friend of Miss Hepburn, Anthony Harvey who directed Katharine in The Lion in Winter and The Glass Menagerie (in which he also directed LAMDA American alumnus Michael Moriarty!)
LAMDA was proud to have had this opportunity to honour such a consummate actor, while also being able to secure funding for future generations who aspire to reach her standard.
We must also give our sincere thanks to the fantastic staff at Sotheby’s and our drinks sponsors Ruffino wines and the Pleasant Valley Wine Company for ensuring the evening’s success!