Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
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Image:RADATheatre.jpg The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in Bloomsbury, London, is generally regarded as the most prestigious drama school in the United Kingdom.
It was established in 1904 by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, a leading Shakespeare producer. The managing council included Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, Sir James Barrie, W. S. Gilbert, Irene Vanbrugh and George Bernard Shaw.
In 1950 Shaw left a third of his royalties to RADA, and as a result the Academy has benefited from profits of the film My Fair Lady (1964) and subsequent stage versions of the show.
Past students include Lord Attenborough, Sean Bean, Joan Collins, Roger Moore, John Gielgud, Albert Finney, Alan Rickman, Tom Courtenay, Devika Rani, Glenda Jackson, Harold Pinter, John Hurt, Pete Murray, Michael Williams, Roy Marsden, Sue Nicholls, Kenneth Branagh, Vivien Leigh, Anthony Hopkins, Erika Slezak, Imelda Staunton, David Warner, Matthew Macfadyen, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Adrian Lester, Clive Owen. Athene Seyler won the Gold Medal while a student in 1908 and became President of RADA in 1950.
As of 2004, Lord Attenborough is President of the school, John Whitney is Chairman, and Alan Rickman and Michael Attenborough are the vice-chairmen of the school. The principal is Nicholas Barter.
RADA is possibly the most selective of all the British drama schools, accepting only 32 new students each year onto its BA in Acting course. However, no educational requirements need to be met and admission is based purely on suitability and successful audition. RADA also teaches stage management through a 2 year graduate diploma course and specialist technical subjects through 4 term grduate certificate courses. Approximately 35 students are choosen each year for these courses.
RADA is administered through King's College London.