‘Shameful state of affairs’ of theatre training needs overhaul – 30 years ago in The Stage

This week in The Stage 30 years ago, AK Bennett-Hunter, a regular contributor to the publication and one-time president of the Theatrical Management Association, called for an overhaul of the theatre training sector.

Describing the current situation as a “shameful state of affairs”, he wrote: “Let me, therefore, put forward a modest proposal. For the good of the performing arts in the United Kingdom there must be formed a National Performing Arts Training Establishment, though a snappier title might be an advantage.

“It will train actors, singers, dancers, musicians, publicists, administrators, technicians, designers, directors and anyone else who can stand the pace. There will be a one-year foundation course that will be common to all and thereafter regular interdisciplinary projects. Its association with one of the big national companies will ensure that the leaders of the profession in every field will be available as tutors and advisers. The skill, experience and knowledge will give authority for the validation of other courses at all levels throughout the country and set standards of excellence in every aspect of the performing arts. An impossible dream? Certainly; more likely is the continuing ad hoc arrangement where talent must fight with money and integrity with expediency.

"Hopeless letters seeking work will be written by the talented and the simply stagestruck, while the recipient has no means of distinguishing one from the other. Sixteen to 18-year-olds will be seduced on to badly taught and ill-resourced courses with the insupportable promise of work. Young directors, production managers and administrators will work wonders with nothing more than common sense, a passion for the theatre and the indulgence of their elders.

Will this do? Is it the best way? It might be claimed that it has always worked in the past. But if we consider that things must be improved, a fragmented industry such as ours has no choice but to draw all the strands of training together under a new truly representative body, and it is clear that this body must have the confidence not only of future employers, but also of the educational establishment.

“In any event, it is up to us as a profession to agree on how we want to influence the future and to do everything possible to exert that influence. I think we should do it soon.”

For more from The Stage Archive, visit thestage.co.uk/archive-virtual