Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art explained

The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, formerly the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art, was a drama school, and originally a singing school, in London. It was one of the leading drama schools in Britain, and offered comprehensive training for those intending to pursue a professional performance career.

History

The school was founded in London in 1926 as the Webber Douglas School of Singing, by Walter Johnstone Douglas (youngest son of Arthur Johnstone-Douglas) and Amherst Webber. It was created from the singing academy founded in 1906 in Paris by Jean de Reszke.[1] By 1932, the school had added full theatrical training to its curriculum, and was renamed the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art.[2] [3] It was located at 30 Clareville St in South Kensington.

In 2006, the academy was absorbed into the Central School of Speech and Drama.[1] Many of the academy's past alumni have formed a theatre company dedicated to keeping the original spirit of the school alive. In 2009, the Central School of Speech and Drama renamed its Embassy Studio the Webber Douglas Studio.[1]

Alumni

See

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: "Central and Webber Douglas to Merge." . The Stage . 20 April 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041227140313/https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/1774/ . dead. 27 December 2004.
  2. Chambers, Colin. Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre. Continuum, 2002. p. 221.
  3. Gunn, John. Acting for You. London: Lutterworth Press, 1957. p. 145.
  4. News: Darwent . Charles . Angela Flowers obituary . 14 August 2023 . Guardian . 14 August 2023.
  5. Web site: Alumni of the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art Topics at DuckDuckGo. duckduckgo.com.