2012 will be the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of our greatest writers – Charles Dickens. To celebrate his achievements a series of events are planned under the banner of ‘Dickens 2012’ organised by the Charles Dickens Museum and Film London in association with The Dickens Fellowship. His novels have been the inspiration for countless adaptations on both stage and screen and his early work also includes lesser-known short stories, plays and poems.

We will be joining in these world-wide celebrations by engaging with and then presenting some of his work over the next two terms and you can choose if you want to take part in both terms or just the first one. Here’s what we’ll be doing on Tuesday evenings…

  • SPRING TERM: 17 January to 27 March 2012

We will be looking at a selection of work by Dickens and using it as a basis on which to practice and improve your acting. Dickens (who himself wanted to be an actor when he was 18) is known for creating particularly real and detailed characters and you will have an opportunity to discover some of his early work right through to his most famous novels and the various stage and screen adaptations (and there will be lots on TV in 2012 for you to watch in conjunction with the classes!) We’ll be acting out extracts from scripted pieces and adaptations as well as using improvisation as a way to access some of his fascinating stories and characters.

These classes will be held on Tuesday evenings (7pm – 9pm) at Sale Waterside Arts Centre in Greater Manchester – click here for details of how to get there and where to park for free if you’re driving.

The cost of this term is £105, which is payable in advance. You do not have to commit to taking part in both terms now, but those participants who sign up to this first term will be guaranteed a place the following term should you wish to perform in the show. Please contact Martin (details below) to secure your place then see the ‘Pay for classes’ box on the right to pay for this terms classes.

  • SUMMER TERM: 17 April to 15 June 2012

Following on from our examination of Dickens work in the spring term, we will select a number of extracts to rehearse more thoroughly over the coming weeks, which we will then present at two public performances.  Entitled ‘The Drama of Dickens’ the show will run as part of Sale Festival at Waterside Arts Centre with our performances on the 14th and 15th June.

The cost for this term will also be £105, but places cannot be booked for this term until March 2012. Those signing up to the spring term will be given first refusal to do this term but it is expected that most people taking part in the first term are likely to go onto the second term, so places are likely to be very limited. If the whole project sounds of interest then it would be advisable to sign up to the spring term and take it from there.

  • TERMS USUALLY START IN JANUARY, APRIL AND SEPTEMBER

    • Why not sign up to receive an email before each term begins. If the current class is full or not quite what you’re looking for then by signing up to the email list you’ll find out what we are doing next term as soon as the information is released. We look at something different each term. Add your name and email address at the top right of this page.

    If you prefer to work individually on Audition Speeches, Sight-Reading, developing your own ‘One-Person Play’, improving your acting technique or boosting your confidence, then why not try some private tuition at times that suit you – daytime, evening or weekend classes are available. More details can be found at … www.auditioncoach.co.uk