Studying Drama in London
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London is enticing Australians to study top courses that can be completed in a year. As the University of London’s drama conservatoire, Central offers acting, applied theatre, theatre crafts and making, design, drama therapy, lighting, movement, performance, puppetry, performance research, scenography, stage management, technical arts and production, voice, and writing.
George Kemp, from Sydney, graduated from Central’s MA Classical Acting course in 2012.
Stage Whispers: Why did you decide to study at Central?
George Kemp: Having been a Shakesepeare-o-phile since 7th grade, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to study acting in the motherland – and follow alumni such as Olivier, Dench, Redgrave…and French and Saunders!
SW: What is your training background?
GK: I went to high school in Sydney and completed year 12 in 2005. I then went Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. I completed a Bachelor of Arts - Communication (Theatre/Media). I had also studied in Thailand at Makhampom Theatre.
SW: What was the best part of the course for you?
GK: After a broad undergraduate degree, it was exhilarating to be fully immersed in acting. The fact that the Master’s Degree is one year instead of three was perfect.
The international nature of the school was a highlight. In my course of sixteen students, half were from outside the UK with actors from Greece, America, Canada, Lebanon and Egypt!
And the teachers at Central create a beautiful teaching environment. They focus on the actor who turns up at the start and they help to create, with their immense knowledge and skill, an actor who comes out the other side transformed.
Also, the ability to be able to see so much theatre in London, both at Central and in the city itself. I found myself at the theatre several times a week.
SW: How has your experience at Central helped prepare you for the work/education you’re doing now?
GK: I emerged from Central markedly better at my job. It gave me a way of thinking about my work – a point of view. It gave me confidence in range. Since graduating I have been lucky enough to work with the Sydney Theatre Company and Bell Shakespeare Company.
The sheer amount of work at Central pushes you into roles that you would never attempt. I never thought I could play Iago, which I was lucky enough to do post study in London, or play a 14-year-old boy prostitute who is begrudgingly dressed up as The Queen of Denmark alongside Tim Minchin in STC’s production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.
SW: What skills and qualities are required for your course?
GK: Most importantly, an open mind. An ability to take risks is the only way to ensure that you get the most out of your time. Students are exposed to so much and it’s about soaking up as much as you can!
SW: How do you see your career developing?
GK: I have enjoyed some good fortune in finding work. Theatre is my passion and I hope to work as much as I can within that crazy world while slowly dipping my toes into other exciting forms of acting.
SW: Has Central lived up to your expectations?
GK: Absolutely! The course was everything I hoped for and more and really has placed me well to build my career. It can seem a scary prospect to embark upon, but it is worth it 100%
SW: What advice would you offer students thinking of applying to Central?
GK: Enjoy the work! You are in the luxurious position of being able to do what you love every day! From some of the rehearsal rooms at Central you can see office workers sitting in their desks across the road slaving at their computers. It used to make me laugh to think that they could see us doing some outrageous movement class pretending to be hyenas, or cartwheels, or clown workshops. Some students are fixated on finding an agent, or furthering their career, but all that can come later. I was delighted to be able to learn and explore and play full time – it’s a rare bubble and one worth treasuring.
