Theatretrain
Encyclopedia
Theatretrain is a Performing Arts organisation founded by teacher/director Kevin Dowsett in 1992. It gives part time training in drama, dance and singing to children and young people aged between 6 and 18 years of age. Since 1993 it has grown into one of the largest professional performing arts training organisations in the country. There are currently 90 Centres across the UK and Ireland. In 2011 centres open in Nepal and Australia.
, East 15 Acting School
, ALRA and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts where he was Head of Acting. He also taught Advanced Acting Process (a course for professional actors) for 6 years at the City Lit in London.
When his job disappeared in government cutbacks in the early 90s Dowsett used his extensive experience of education and theatre to create a new approach for training young people in the performing arts. He realised that much performing arts training was based on an examination system conducted through classes. He wanted to make it more creative and closer to a theatre experience rather than school. He devised a system that allowed each young person to perform live theatre to the highest possible standard and where possible to incorporate their own ideas.
Almost immediately the company began to expand and franchises were established across the country. Each centre is managed by a Centre Director and a creative team that includes teachers of drama, dance and singing who also have the skills of direction, choreography or musical direction.
It was decided early on that prices of classes would be kept at a level affordable by most families. This mixing of backgrounds has had the result in making Theatretrain an eclectic and vibrant company. Qualities that are encouraged include friendliness, imagination, energy, enthusiasm, openness, generosity, commitment and leadership skills. Sound, movement, attitude and storytelling are at the heart of the system, as well as connecting with the audience.
There is strong interplay between the three disciplines of the performing arts (act, dance and sing) and skills learnt in one area cross fertilise those in another.
Dowsett did this by incorporating the skills of ensemble theatre – in this way Theatretrain is a company rather than just a series of different centres. By coming together annually to perform, friendships are created between pupils and between centres so that they learn from each other.
There is a strong sense of camaraderie with the sense of team connecting every teacher, Centre Director and pupil as they learn to be part of something bigger than themselves.
What made Theatretrain distinctive was the performance opportunity given to each pupil. From the beginning Dowsett worked with the Musical Director and Composer Robert Hyman and together they created shows that grew in size with each passing year. Always using live music this partnership created shows that integrated all the performing arts into the performance. Since 1993 thousands of young people have stepped onto the boards of the UK’s most famous theatres including The London Palladium, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Dominion Theatre
, Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Royal Albert Hall
.
Theatretrain has become the UK’s major provider of performing arts training that leads to performance.
In 2009 the artistic team created a mammoth project called “The Long and Winding Road” with 5000 schoolchildren who performed the story of the Beatles
at the O2 Arena. The special guest was Bill Bailey
. In 2010 another 5000 young people performed “Licence to Thrill” a spectacular spoof of James Bond
007. The special guest this time was Blue Peter
’s Andy Akinwolere
.
In 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall 1000 Theatretrain pupils created the most ambitious performance to date. “Voices for a Better World” told the story of a tribe who had to go to war to learn the value of peace. On this occasion they were joined by 120 young people from 26 different worldwide countries who were rehearsed in London for 10 days. This performance was the inaugural performance of the World Children’s Theatre Ensemble.
Since 1993 Theatretrain has taken work abroad to Festivals and Encounters meeting children and young people from all over the world. Theatretrain has twice represented the UK at the World Festival of Children’s Theatre (1994 and 2007).
Many pupils have gone on to higher education and become professional performers or work in the performing arts industry. The company has a policy of not naming its ex pupils as it believes that every pupil is important and singling out those who made a name for themselves cuts across the strong company ethos of working together and putting the emphasis on the work.
History
Theatretrain was founded by Kevin Dowsett who spent 14 years as a Head of Drama and GCSE examiner in schools in the West Midlands and London. He went on to become the Theatre Tutor at the ILEA’s Curtain Theatre where he created a variety of theatre training programmes and established the respected Curtain Youth Theatre. Later he taught acting extensively in drama schools including Rose Bruford CollegeRose Bruford College
Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance is a British drama school, offering university-level and professional vocational training for theatre and performance and the BA and MA degrees, based in Sidcup, Southeast London.-History:Founded in 1950, Rose Bruford "pioneered the first acting degree...
, East 15 Acting School
East 15 Acting School
East 15 is a British drama school in Debden, Loughton, Essex. At the main campus, Loughton, it occupies an 18th century mansion, Hatfields, and has its own theatre, the Corbett, which is adjacent. The Corbett Theatre is an adaptation of a 15th-century barn...
, ALRA and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts where he was Head of Acting. He also taught Advanced Acting Process (a course for professional actors) for 6 years at the City Lit in London.
When his job disappeared in government cutbacks in the early 90s Dowsett used his extensive experience of education and theatre to create a new approach for training young people in the performing arts. He realised that much performing arts training was based on an examination system conducted through classes. He wanted to make it more creative and closer to a theatre experience rather than school. He devised a system that allowed each young person to perform live theatre to the highest possible standard and where possible to incorporate their own ideas.
Almost immediately the company began to expand and franchises were established across the country. Each centre is managed by a Centre Director and a creative team that includes teachers of drama, dance and singing who also have the skills of direction, choreography or musical direction.
It was decided early on that prices of classes would be kept at a level affordable by most families. This mixing of backgrounds has had the result in making Theatretrain an eclectic and vibrant company. Qualities that are encouraged include friendliness, imagination, energy, enthusiasm, openness, generosity, commitment and leadership skills. Sound, movement, attitude and storytelling are at the heart of the system, as well as connecting with the audience.
There is strong interplay between the three disciplines of the performing arts (act, dance and sing) and skills learnt in one area cross fertilise those in another.
Dowsett did this by incorporating the skills of ensemble theatre – in this way Theatretrain is a company rather than just a series of different centres. By coming together annually to perform, friendships are created between pupils and between centres so that they learn from each other.
There is a strong sense of camaraderie with the sense of team connecting every teacher, Centre Director and pupil as they learn to be part of something bigger than themselves.
What made Theatretrain distinctive was the performance opportunity given to each pupil. From the beginning Dowsett worked with the Musical Director and Composer Robert Hyman and together they created shows that grew in size with each passing year. Always using live music this partnership created shows that integrated all the performing arts into the performance. Since 1993 thousands of young people have stepped onto the boards of the UK’s most famous theatres including The London Palladium, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Dominion Theatre
Dominion Theatre
The Dominion Theatre is a West End theatre on Tottenham Court Road close to St Giles Circus and Centre Point Tower, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:...
, Her Majesty’s Theatre and the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
.
Theatretrain has become the UK’s major provider of performing arts training that leads to performance.
In 2009 the artistic team created a mammoth project called “The Long and Winding Road” with 5000 schoolchildren who performed the story of the Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
at the O2 Arena. The special guest was Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey is an English comedian, musician and actor. As well as his extensive stand-up work, Bailey is well known for his appearances on Black Books, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, and QI.Bailey was listed by The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy in...
. In 2010 another 5000 young people performed “Licence to Thrill” a spectacular spoof of James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
007. The special guest this time was Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
’s Andy Akinwolere
Andy Akinwolere
Andy Akinwolere is a British television presenter.-Early life:Akinwolere was born in Nigeria in 1982, and moved to the United Kingdom with his family when he was eight years old. They settled in Birmingham, where he was educated.-Education:Akinwolere attended St...
.
In 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall 1000 Theatretrain pupils created the most ambitious performance to date. “Voices for a Better World” told the story of a tribe who had to go to war to learn the value of peace. On this occasion they were joined by 120 young people from 26 different worldwide countries who were rehearsed in London for 10 days. This performance was the inaugural performance of the World Children’s Theatre Ensemble.
Since 1993 Theatretrain has taken work abroad to Festivals and Encounters meeting children and young people from all over the world. Theatretrain has twice represented the UK at the World Festival of Children’s Theatre (1994 and 2007).
Many pupils have gone on to higher education and become professional performers or work in the performing arts industry. The company has a policy of not naming its ex pupils as it believes that every pupil is important and singling out those who made a name for themselves cuts across the strong company ethos of working together and putting the emphasis on the work.
Patrons
Theatretrain has support from several well known actors.- Sir Derek JacobiDerek JacobiSir Derek George Jacobi, CBE is an English actor and film director.A "forceful, commanding stage presence", Jacobi has enjoyed a highly successful stage career, appearing in such stage productions as Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, and Oedipus the King. He received a Tony Award for his performance in...
- Alfred MolinaAlfred MolinaAlfred Molina is a British-born American actor. He first came to public attention in the UK for his supporting role in the 1987 film Prick Up Your Ears...
- Frances de la TourFrances de la TourFrances de la Tour is an English actress perhaps best known for her role as Miss Ruth Jones in the British sitcom Rising Damp, and as Madame Olympe Maxime in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.-Early life and family:De la...
- Catherine TateCatherine TateCatherine Tate is an English actress, writer, and comedian. She has won numerous awards for her work on the sketch comedy series The Catherine Tate Show as well as being nominated for an International Emmy Award and four BAFTA Awards...
Performances
| Year | Show | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Louder Than Words | Bloomsbury Theatre | |
| 1994 | The Power Of Love | Bloomsbury Theatre | |
| 1994 | Senses | Towngate Theatre | |
| 1995 | Rhythm and Hues | Brentwood Centre | |
| 1995 | From a Distance | Towngate Theatre and Hackney Empire Theatre | |
| 1996 | On the Stage | Bloomsbury Theatre | |
| 1997 | The Long and Winding Road | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,... |
|
| 1998 | Food and Drink | Bloomsbury Theatre | |
| 1999 | Songs of the Century | London Palladium London Palladium The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety... |
|
| 2000 | Heroes | Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre, in Haymarket, City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who established the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the theatre... and Lyceum Theatre |
|
| 2001 | Life and Soul! The Game Show! | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,... and Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre, in Haymarket, City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who established the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the theatre... |
|
| 2001 | Calling All Stations | Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre, in Haymarket, City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who established the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the theatre... |
|
| 2002 | Let's Dance | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,... |
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| 2002 | Protest | The Old Vic | |
| 2002 | Calling All Stations | Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre, in Haymarket, City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who established the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the theatre... |
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| 2003 | The Motown Show | Palace Theatre, Manchester Palace Theatre, Manchester The Palace Theatre, Manchester, is one of the main theatres in Manchester, England. It is situated on Oxford Street, on the north-east corner of the intersection with Whitworth Street. The Palace and its 'sister' theatre the Manchester Opera House on Quay Street are operated by the same parent... , Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,... and Dominion Theatre Dominion Theatre The Dominion Theatre is a West End theatre on Tottenham Court Road close to St Giles Circus and Centre Point Tower, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:... |
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| 2004 | Songs of the Century | Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941.... |
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| 2004 | The Long and Winding Road | Dominion Theatre Dominion Theatre The Dominion Theatre is a West End theatre on Tottenham Court Road close to St Giles Circus and Centre Point Tower, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:... and Palace Theatre, Manchester Palace Theatre, Manchester The Palace Theatre, Manchester, is one of the main theatres in Manchester, England. It is situated on Oxford Street, on the north-east corner of the intersection with Whitworth Street. The Palace and its 'sister' theatre the Manchester Opera House on Quay Street are operated by the same parent... |
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| 2005 | Licence to Thrill | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,... |
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| 2005 | Step Into Christmas | Apollo Victoria Theatre Apollo Victoria Theatre The Apollo Victoria Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Wilton Road near Victoria station in the City of Westminster. Opened as a cinema and variety theatre, the Apollo Victoria became a venue for musical theatre, beginning with The Sound of Music in 1981, and including the long-running... |
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| 2005 | Bash The Bard | Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre Her Majesty's Theatre is a West End theatre, in Haymarket, City of Westminster, London. The present building was designed by Charles J. Phipps and was constructed in 1897 for actor-manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who established the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the theatre... |
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| 2006 | Licence to Thrill | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,... and Palace Theatre, Manchester Palace Theatre, Manchester The Palace Theatre, Manchester, is one of the main theatres in Manchester, England. It is situated on Oxford Street, on the north-east corner of the intersection with Whitworth Street. The Palace and its 'sister' theatre the Manchester Opera House on Quay Street are operated by the same parent... |
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| 2006 | The Petticoat Rebellion | Shaftesbury Theatre Shaftesbury Theatre The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End Theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The theatre was designed for the brothers Walter and Frederick Melville by Bertie Crewe and opened on 26 December 1911 with a production of The Three Musketeers, as the New... |
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| 2006 | Songs of the Century | Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941.... |
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| 2007 | Wondrous Stories | London Palladium London Palladium The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety... |
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| 2007 | The Long and Winding Road | Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941.... |
|
| 2008 | Wondrous Stories | London Palladium London Palladium The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety... |
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| 2008 | I Don't Feel Like Dancing! | Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941.... |
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| 2009 | Rhythm and Blues | London Palladium London Palladium The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety... , Palace Theatre, Manchester Palace Theatre, Manchester The Palace Theatre, Manchester, is one of the main theatres in Manchester, England. It is situated on Oxford Street, on the north-east corner of the intersection with Whitworth Street. The Palace and its 'sister' theatre the Manchester Opera House on Quay Street are operated by the same parent... and Sadler's Wells Theatre Sadler's Wells Theatre Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive... |
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| 2009 | Step Into Christmas | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a West End theatre in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, a borough of London. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The building standing today is the most recent in a line of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663,... |
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| 2010 | Rhythm and Blues | London Palladium London Palladium The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety... and Sadler's Wells Theatre Sadler's Wells Theatre Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive... |
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| 2010 | Voices For a Better World performed by The World's Children Ensemble | Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941.... |
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| 2011 | A Spark To A Flame | Tolpuddle Festival Dorset | |
| 2011 | I Don't Feel Like Dancing! | Royal Albert Hall Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941.... |