This workshop is an entertaining exploration of comedy acting for theatre in its various forms by using lots of comedy scenes from modern plays.
We will be working with a variety of recent comedy scripts (plus a few more "classic" 20th century ones), and discussing how to bring them to life, and there will also be an opportunity for some solo work, looking at comic monologues and how best to present them to an audience.
We will talk about comedy timing, how to play the truth of a scene and the characters while also respecting the comedy, how to use our comic instincts within the restrictions of scripted work, all in a fun and supportive environment, experimenting and trying new approaches. This will include audition technique, whether those auditions are for drama schools, amateur companies or for professional audition situations.
The workshop is open to all, and it will be a mixed group, but is best suited to those who already have some experience of performing on stage, whether professionally, as an amateur, or at school or college. At the end there will be some time to recap on the days activities.
[The recommended minimum age for this course is 16. If anyone under 16 would like to attend, we are happy to assess this on an individual basis; please contact us before booking.]
Booking Conditions
New dates coming soon
Sarah Hughes has been Alan Ayckbourn's casting director since 1991, casting world premieres of his plays at the Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough, in the West End, at the National Theatre and on Broadway, as well as many other productions at the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
For the last ten years, she has also been a freelance casting director in the Entertainment Department of the BBC, where series include JONATHAN CREEK, GRASS, LOVE SOUP, PARENTS OF THE BAND, 2 PINTS, PULLING, John Sullivan's ROCK & CHIPS, and in 2010 the second series of THE OLD GUYS for BBC1, FREEDOM for BBC Scotland and THE GREAT OUTDOORS for BBC4.
Freelance theatre work includes several plays for the West Yorkshire Playhouse and for the Theatre Royal Northampton, four productions for Frantic Assembly, including 2008's TMA award-winning OTHELLO; commercials, children's TV and drama documentaries.
In 2009/2010 she ran the BBC Talent Alert, looking for new Disabled talent all over the UK (and reconnecting with existing actors with disabilities) in order to encourage on-screen representation of disabled actors.
In 2010, as well as THE OLD GUYS and THE GREAT OUTDOORS for the BBC, she cast TAKING STEPS for the Orange Tree in Richmond, NOISES OFF and FIRST PERSON SHOOTER for Birmingham Rep and Alan Ayckbourn's latest play LIFE OF RILEY and a revival of COMMUNICATING DOORS for the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
In 2011 she cast LEARNING TO WALK AGAIN for BBC2, Alan Ayckbourn's two new plays, DEAR UNCLE and NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH for the Stephen Joseph Theatre, and Abi Morgan's LOVE SONG for Frantic Assembly, amongst other projects.
In 2011/2012 she was part of the team casting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies, and recently has been casting THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and CINDERELLA for the SJT and is currently working on Ben Elton's new comedy for BBC1, SLINGS AND ARROWS.
More about Sarah at www.SarahHughesCasting.co.uk
The Comedy School
15 Gloucester Gate,
London, NW1 4HG.
