NEWS AND PRESS

Eight actors from RADA's MA Theatre Lab course performed Bacchanalia at the second International Student Festival of Ancient Drama in Messini, Greece. The production, adapted and directed by MA Directing student Whitney Mosery, was the first English-language play to be performed in Messini's 2,300-year old open air amphitheatre. The performance took place within sight of the mountains where in ancient days the women from local villages went to worship the god Dionysus. Whitney and the actors received a standing ovation for their show, and were all interviewed for the newspapers, radio and Greek television.

All the participants agree it was a life-changing experience for them -- sharing our blend of ancient storytelling and modern interpretation, poetic text and physical theatre, with the people and the culture where popular worship and myth transformed into drama that defined Western civilisation.

Path Thakerar, Tanmay Dhanania and Naeem Hayat were all interviewed live on air for the Nihal radio show on Friday 22 March. The three students discussed their experiences at RADA, what made them want to become actors in the first place and their thoughts for their future careers.

The Nihal show is an award winning discussion and debate show focusing on issues that affect British Asians. To listen to show again, please click here and forward to 2 hours 25 minutes into the programme.

The whole RADA team performed exceptionally well, receiving many commendations between them. Third year acting students Harry Jardine and Joel Maccormack both won a five month radio contract, one of the top prizes of the competition. Cassie Layton also won the runners up prize which is a role in a future BBC radio production.

Edward Hicks, our Head of Film Television and Radio commented 'This competition is so competitive with every drama school in the country submitting a team and with only four top prizes available, to win two of them is a real achievement. David Timson who coached the team, and the students have worked so hard squeezing rehearsals around the various RADA productions and I'm so pleased and proud that the hard work has paid off.'

MA Directing student Whitney Mosery will be taking a cast of MA Theatre Lab students to Messini, as part of the city's second Annual International Student Festival of Ancient Drama.

Bacchanalia is a celebration of the enduring myth of Dionysus and his Bacchants. Through storytelling, music, dance, and text, the piece explores the myriad aspects of the infamous god: the exotic, the ecstatic, the sacred, and the profane. Its source material traces Dionysus through the ages: the Homeric Hymns, texts from ancient cult rituals, Euripides’ Bacchae, Charles Mee's Bacchae 2.1, and original choral compositions.

The piece was created by MA Theatre Directing student Whitney Mosery, and began its life as an immersive, site-specific piece --a "playdancesongritualbonfireparty" in a forest in Western Massachusetts.

The MA Theatre Lab course, now in its second year, trains actors in ensemble and collaborative work, with a focus on physical theatre and combining classical texts with modern theatre practices.

For more information on all of our MA courses, please visit our courses page.

RADA's Head of Film, TV and Radio, Edward Hicks, will be speaking at the BFI this Saturday 16 February as part of the sixth Future Film Festival. Designed for aspiring filmmakers, the event is aimed at 15 to 25 year olds with a passion for watching and creating films. RADA's masterclass will be about the actor/director relationship, helping young filmmakers understand the responsibilites of both cast and crew on set and helping them work together. For more information take a look online.

RADA is proud to be a beneficiary of ICAP’s 20th Charity Day. ICAP Charity Day 2012 was held on Wednesday 5th December and raised £11 million worldwide, supporting 200 charities. This brings the total amount raised through ICAP Charity day, which started in 1993, to more than £100 million.

On Tuesday, 5th February, our celebrity supporter Imelda Staunton joined representatives from RADA at a reception at 10 Downing Street for the 20th ICAP Charity Day Cheque Presentation hosted by Samantha Cameron. Also attending the event was ICAP CEO Michael Spencer, other charities and supporters, along with the ICAP Charity Day team. It was a wonderful occasion to mark 20 years of ICAP Charity Day.