Jan 2, 2024 | Vanessa de Largie
In 2017, I trained at the esteemed Actors Centre in London for 6 months. Past members of the Actors Centre include Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, Anthony Hopkins, Ian McKellen and Alec Guiness.
Training at the Actors Centre in London remains one of the greatest experiences of my life. Not only did I get to work (and learn) from great British actors and acting tutors. The Actors Centre supported my one-woman show and allowed me to perform at The Tristan Bates theatre in the West End.
Sadly, after Covid, the Actors Centre was rebranded, by new chief executive – Amanda Davey. It is now called the Seven Dials Playhouse. Not only that – they have stopped classes!
Even if you’re not an acting professional yourself, please take a moment and sign the petition at Change.org to reinstate professional acting training for actors in London.
According to a column in The Guardian:
“Kate Maravan, said there had been a woeful lack of transparency and consultation over the changes, which were a blow to young actors struggling to establish their careers or in precarious employment. ‘It’s easy to think of all actors as ‘luvvies’, but a large percentage are regularly unemployed, facing financial difficulties, often very isolated and suffering from mental health issues,’ she said. ‘The Actors Centre was a place where people could learn, collaborate and experiment, a place for cross-pollination and support. It was a community in the heart of London