Writer and director Stephen Poliakoff makes his Masterclass debut on June 10. He will talk about his career, which includes television and radio drama as well as stage works (his play Sweet Panic recently transferred from the Hampstead Theatre to the Duke of York’s in the West End).
On June 24 Anita Dobson appears under the title “Surviving Soaps.” Dobson was one of the most recognizable actresses in Britain in the 1980’s when she starred in the television soap opera “EastEnders.” Since leaving the show, she has regularly worked on stage in such shows as Chicago, The Vagina Monologues and Frozen at the National (for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award).
The author and star of Elmina’s Kitchen, currently playing the West End, will be featured on June 28. Kwame Kwei Armah, who is most widely known in Britain for his work in the TV series “Casualty,” will talk about “Acting to Camera.” Using a video camera and pages of screenplay, Armah will work with participants on stage to explore the process of screen acting. His workshop will include tips on technique for the camera and how to cope with little rehearsal time before filming.
There will be a special vocational masterclass on July 1: “Musical Theatre Opening Doors.” Different aspects of creating musical theatre will be explored by casting director Pippa Ailion, The Big Life director Clint Dyer, The Big Life book writer and former Royal Shakespeare Company literary manager Paul Sirett, and a yet-to-be-confirmed actor.
All four events start at 2:30 PM at London’s Theatre Royal, Haymarket. The seminars are aimed at young people and are free to those under 30. Seats must be booked in advance via the Masterclass website (www.trh.co.uk/masterclass). A £5 returnable (provided you attend) deposit is required for each seat booked. Those over 30 can attend but must pay £5 per ticket, and can also become a Friend of Masterclass (details on the website). The illustrious roll-call of past masters includes Gillian Anderson, Alan Ayckbourn, Steven Berkoff, Brenda Blethyn, Matthew Bourne, Simon Callow, Richard Eyre, Michael Frayn, Maria Friedman, Peter Hall, Jeremy Irons, Mike Leigh, Adrian Lester, Helen Mirren, Simon McBurney, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, Donald Sinden, Patrick Stewart, Tom Stoppard, Janet Suzman, Zoe Wanamaker and Deborah Warner.
For more information, call (0)20 7389 9660.
