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Dateline:
2nd May, 2004
100 years of RADA
In April 2004, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art celebrates one hundred
years at the forefront of drama training.
On 25th April 1904, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree established the Academy
of Dramatic Art at His Majesty's Theatre in the Haymarket. The following
year the school moved to the now famous Gower Street site, and in 1920
received its Royal Charter. Now, in its 100th year, Nicholas Barter
(Principal), Lord Attenborough (President) and RADA Chairman John Whitney
embark on a programme of celebration and continued vital fund-raising.
Following a period in which its main Bloomsbury premises have been
completely refurbished and partly re-built (with support from the Arts
Council's National Lottery Fund and from many of its well-wishers) the
Academy now stands at one of the most exciting points in its long history.
RADA continues to maintain and strengthen its position as a foremost
centre of vocational training, equipping not only actors, but also stage
managers and technical craft specialists, for careers at the highest
level in theatre, television, film and radio.
The Academy, which has an enviable broad selection policy, sees many
of its graduates achieve great prominence in the profession. RADA alumni
who have gone on to achieve immense recognition in the arts include
Michael Blakemore, Joan Collins, Ralph Fiennes, Sir John Gielgud, David
Harewood, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Charles Laughton, Mike Leigh, Steve MacFadden,
Alan Rickman, Dame Diana Rigg, Dame Flora Robson, Mark Rylance, Athene
Seyler, Juliet Stevenson and Nicholas Wright.
A series of events and festivities will mark the Centenary.
RADA Season at the National Film Theatre: 2 - 9 May
The National Film Theatre is to present a short season of films,
all of which have RADA connections. Opening with Truly, Madly,
Deeply (a Q&A with Alan Rickman, Juliet Stevenson will follow
the screening on 3rd May), the season will include The Dresser,
Hitchcock's Stage Fright, Mike Leigh's All or Nothing, and
a preview of My House in Umbria, scripted by Hugh Whitemore
and starring Timothy Spall, both RADA alumni. RADA President Lord
Attenborough will introduce a special showing of the original film
of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion on May 8th.
Gala Screening at NFT: Sunday 9th May
There will be a Gala screening of the silent movie, Masks and
Faces, starring Irene Vanbrugh. The film, directed by Fred Paul,
was made in 1917 as a fund-raiser for the Academy. The screening will
include the world première of the late Michael Kamen's last
complete musical composition - an accompaniment to Masks and Faces
- which was written especially for this event. National Film Theatre
Box Office: 020 7928 3232.
Royal Centenary Lunch: Tuesday 8th June
In the presence of Her Majesty the Queen, there will be a Lunch at
the Mansion House to celebrate the Centenary, which will include musical
and poetry presentations by RADA students.
RADA Enterprises Fund-Raising Lunch: Friday 9th July
Sponsored by Sterling Insurance, RADA is hosting a star-studded Fund-raising
Lunch at the Savoy Hotel.
RADA Associates Event: Sunday 3rd October
A Centenary Celebration, featuring several generations of RADA graduates
- a rare opportunity for connoisseurs of the craft of acting. Tickets
are available through the RADA Box Office: 0207 908 4800.
Four Enchanted Evenings: 7th - 10th November
Four unique fund-raising dinners with cabaret at RADA's new Jerwood
Vanbrugh Theatre. The cabaret for the evenings will feature West End
and Broadway performers, and be directed by Hugh Wooldridge. Each
show will include special appearances by RADA alumni and other celebrity
performers as special guests.
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