London Academy of Performing Arts

London Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA) was a drama school, which specialised in a classical acting training. It operated from the early 1980s to 2005. It was based in two areas of London during its history – Fulham and Bayswater. Its founder and Principal was Cecilia Hocking.[1][2]

Curriculum

The core acting skills of voice, text and movement, were taught across the training, with regular staged, productions. The curriculum included Shakespeare's plays, wider English Renaissance theatre, Greek tragedy, Restoration comedy, French Neo-Classicism, Commedia dell'Arte, 18thC, 19thC and Twentieth-century theatre. Writers whose material was used regularly included Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, Arthur Miller, Jean Genet, Samuel Beckett, Tennessee Williams and Caryl Churchill.

Staff

Many teachers, actors and directors worked at LAPA over its lifetime. Some were regulars and some were brought in for specific projects. They included;-

• Kay Adshead
• Juliet Aykroyd[3]
• Hanne Holten[4]
• June Kemp, acclaimed movement specialist who had worked with Sigurd Leeder
• Michael Latimer
• David Perry[5]
• Shevaun Wilder[6]
• Warren Wills[7]

Alumni

Ex-students from LAPA have gone on to wide variety of careers all over the world. Some have become household names.

Here is a selection of alumni:

Pascale Aebischer,[8][9] Lauren Booth, Norman Bowman,[10] Pooja Ghai,[11] Drew Goodall,[12] Laura Harring, Abbas Kazerooni,[13] Yunjin Kim, Alex McSweeney, Grant Neal,[14] Joris Putman,[15] Tempest Rose,[16] Edward Rowe (The Kernow King),[17] Raz Shaw,[18] Chris Simmons, Jon Trenchard,[19] and Emily Yarrow[20]

Use of the same name

Some years after LAPA closed, another organisation was set up using the same name. There is no connection between the two schools.

References

1. "Theatre departments, 2001-2", Backstage (magazine), New York, 07 November 2001. Retrieved on 21 September 2019.
2. McGillivray, David. "The British Alternative, Studying abroad, A Day in the Life....", Backstage (magazine), New York, 21 February 2001. Retrieved on 21 September 2019.
3. "Juliet Aykroyd". Retrieved on 21 September 2019.
4. "Hanne Holten". Retrieved on 21 September 2019.
5. Cannon, Madeleine. "Obituary - David Perry", The Stage, London, 18 July 2008. Retrieved on 21 September 2019.
6. "Inspiring Times, Shevaun Wilder", Mayfair Times, London, 26 June 2019. Retrieved on 21 September 2019.
7. "Tribute to musical icons", The Australian Jewish News, Sydney, 06 July 2017. Retrieved on 21 September 2019.
8. Aebischer, Pascale (2013). Screening Early Modern Drama: Beyond Shakespeare, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ISBN 978-1139176194,
9. Aebischer, Pascale and Prince, Kathryn (2015). Performing Early Modern Drama Today, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ISBN 9781107559554
10. "Norman's Theatrical Conquests", The Scots Magazine, Glasgow, 03 February 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
11. Raju, Sharan. "UK theatre director, Pooja Ghai tackles family, friendship and power in 'Approaching Empty'", Brown Girl Magazine, New York, 25 February 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
12. Jessop, Miranda. "Ray of Sunshine",Essential Surrey, Hampton, London. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
13. Elkin, Susan. "War's hell, but childbirth and the future are scary too", The Independent, London, 16 April 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2019
14. "Grant Neal", BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
15. Jemil, Nori "Meet the Maker - Joris Putman, tulip vodka producer", National Geographic, London, 28 August 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
16. Snow, Georgia. "Miss Tempest Rose - burlesque performer",The Stage, London, 30 August 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
17. Burns, Carol. "All Hail the King", Cornwall Life, Truro, 04 December 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
18. Morgan, Fergus. "Cancer drove me into theatre and still drives me today", The Stage, London, 06 December 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2019
19. "Jon Trenchard", Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Retrieved 21 September 2019
20. Pringle, Eleanor. "Stars of Cromer Pier talk Christmas show as competition launches", Enjoy Cromer More, Cromer, Norfolk, 04 November 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2019