This theatre enables the students to perform and experience West End theatre conditions, an invaluable part of their training process. Productions are staged, written, and directed by industry professionals which supports the strong links that the school maintains with the performance industry. Many famous faces and voices have run through the halls from classroom to studio, onto stage and screen.
Known within the industry as Arts Ed, it’s real life began in 1939 when two pioneers, and believers in a combined vocational and academic education joined forces. Grace Cone’s school, founded in 1919 and Olive Ripman’s own institution founded in 1922. Their collective passion was focused on preparing young artists for a professional life in, or in support of the theatre. By providing a solid academic instruction alongside specialised coaching in drama, dance, music and art, they believed their graduates would be much better prepared for their careers ahead.
These days, the school provides excellent specialist vocational training with a Musical Theatre degree course and an Acting undergraduate course which includes stage, film and television training. Arts Ed is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools, its training and qualifications validated by City, University of London and Trinity College London.
Alumni include; Julie Andrews, Matthew Bourne, Darcey Bussell, Adam Cooper, Nigel Havers, Bonnie Langford, and Will Young, to name a few.
