Yvonne Bryceland School of Drama

The Yvonne Bryceland School of Drama was a training facility for young people (12 years of age or older) opened at the The Space theatre, Cape Town. It was founded in 1972 with Yvonne Bryceland, Athol Fugard and Brian Astbury as directors of the venture, with Bryceland as managing director. The teachers were drawn from both the Space Theatre company as well as prominent theatre practitioners. Full time staff included Val Donald, Jacqui Singer, Paul Slabolepszy, Steve Daitch and Lianda Martin. Among the guest lecturers were Robert Mohr, Donald Howarth, Robin Malan, Tessa Marwick and Gisela Taeger-Berger. Bryceland and Fugards also gave occasional lectures. The aims of the school were summarised as follows in their original brochure (written by Amanda Botha, with artwork by Issy Sacks): 1. To awaken and foster within each student a sensitive awareness of his environment through the arts. 2. To discover and encourage future professional actors. 3. To give students an essentially PRACTICAL training by using teachers actively involved in theatre. The school followed the Western Cape schools calendar, and the original fee was R16 per term. It offically opened on 15 July 1972, with a welcoming address by Yvonne Bryceland. The classes were scheduled for Saturday mornings , beginning with a movement or yoga class, and afterwards small group exercises in improvisation, mime, practical acting techniques and public speaking, as well as discussions of all aspects of theatre making. Students could participate in special theatre projects during the holidays. Students were also able to see The Space productions at concession prices.

Sources

Amanda Botha and Issy Sacks. 1972. The Yvonne Bryceland School of Drama (a brochure – in the ESAT archive, University of Stellenbosch). Go to ESAT Bibliography

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