London Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA) was a drama school, which specialised in a classical acting training. It operated from the early 1980s to 2005. It was based in two areas of London during its history – Fulham and Bayswater. Its founder and Principal was Cecilia Hocking, along with other former RADA staff."Theatre departments, 2001-2", Backstage (magazine), New York, 07 November 2001. Retrieved on 21 September 2019.McGillivray, David. "The British Alternative, Studying abroad, A Day in the Life....", Backstage (magazine), New York, 21 February 2001. Retrieved on 21 September 2019.
Curriculum The core acting skills of voice, text and movement, were taught across the training, with regular staged, productions. The curriculum included Shakespeare's plays, wider English Renaissance theatre, Greek tragedy, Restoration comedy, French Neo-Classicism, Commedia dell'Arte, 18thC, 19thC and Twentieth-century theatre. Writers whose material was used regularly included Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Noël Coward, Arthur Miller, Jean Genet, Samuel Beckett, Tennessee Williams and Caryl Churchill.
Staff Many teachers, actors and directors worked at LAPA over its lifetime. Some were regulars and some were brought in for specific projects. They included;- Rachel Preece Kay Adshead Juliet Aykroyd"Juliet Aykroyd". Retrieved on 21 September 2019. Hanne Holten"Hanne Holten". Retrieved on 21 September 2019. June Kemp, acclaimed movement specialist who had worked with Sigurd Leeder and former Head of Movement at RADA Michael Latimer David Perry, Former Head of Shakespeare at RADA Cannon, Madeleine. "Obituary - David Perry", The Stage, London, 18 July 2008. Retrieved on 21 September 2019. Shevaun Wilder"Inspiring Times, Shevaun Wilder", Mayfair Times, London, 26 June 2019. Retrieved on 21 September 2019. Warren Wills"Tribute to musical icons", The Australian Jewish News, Sydney, 06 July 2017. Retrieved on 21 September 2019. Madeline Cannon Paul Garrington Philip Grout Daniel Wozinack
Alumni Former students of LAPA have gone on to pursue a wide variety of careers across the globe.
Here is a selection of alumni:
Pascale Aebischer,Aebischer, Pascale (2013). Screening Early Modern Drama: Beyond Shakespeare, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. ,Aebischer, Pascale and Prince, Kathryn (2015). Performing Early Modern Drama Today, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Lauren Booth, Norman Bowman, ShammiAulakh "Norman's Theatrical Conquests", The Scots Magazine, Glasgow, 03 February 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2019. Pooja Ghai,Raju, Sharan. "UK theatre director, Pooja Ghai tackles family, friendship and power in 'Approaching Empty'", Brown Girl Magazine, New York, 25 February 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019. Drew Goodall,Jessop, Miranda. "Ray of Sunshine",Essential Surrey, Hampton, London. Retrieved 21 September 2019. Laura Harring, Elvina Ibru, Abbas Kazerooni,Elkin, Susan. "War's hell, but childbirth and the future are scary too", The Independent, London, 16 April 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2019 Yunjin Kim, Alex McSweeney, Grant Neal,"Grant Neal", BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 21 September 2019. Joris Putman,Jemil, Nori "Meet the Maker - Joris Putman, tulip vodka producer", National Geographic, London, 28 August 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019. Tempest Rose,Snow, Georgia. "Miss Tempest Rose - burlesque performer",The Stage, London, 30 August 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2019. Edward Rowe (The Kernow King),Burns, Carol. "All Hail the King", Cornwall Life, Truro, 04 December 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2019. Raz Shaw,Morgan, Fergus. "Cancer drove me into theatre and still drives me today", The Stage, London, 06 December 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2019 Chris Simmons, Jon Trenchard,"Jon Trenchard", Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Retrieved 21 September 2019 and Emily YarrowPringle, Eleanor. "Stars of Cromer Pier talk Christmas show as competition launches", Enjoy Cromer More, Cromer, Norfolk, 04 November 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2019 and Christopher Patrick Nolan (Rogue One)
Use of the same name Some years after LAPA closed, another organisation was set up using the same name. There is no connection between the two schools.
References