A fascinating archival insight into Alan Rickman’s time at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art — originally researched and shared on Instagram (full credit below).
RADA, 1974
“The teacher Elizabeth Pursey made ‘RADA Mouths’ on standard 8mm film* which focused on the mouths of first year students. She then revisited those students at the end of their training to see how the tension around their mouths and their diction had altered. Although Acting is about instinct it is underpinned by technique and discipline, this exercise highlights that. Students mouths on this film include Imelda Staunton and Alan Rickman.
In her semi-retirement, Elizabeth continued to work at RADA, giving precise advice to students. Alan Rickman remembered one such time:
“A group of second-year students had prepared pieces by Dylan Thomas. Elizabeth stood in front of them: upright, elegant and smiling…The students were busy writing down every timeless word she said. Finally, it was their turn. As the first volunteer walked to the front….she turned and, still smiling, lobbed a grenade: ‘And just remember – it’s not about you.’” […] On the mezzanine between the first and second floor of the RADA building, there are several faded cream wooden boards marking the Bancroft Gold, Silver, Bronze and Vanbrugh Awards, the Kendal, Special and Principal’s Prize and the Liverpool Playhouse Award. The awards began in 1905 and stopped in 1985.
One of the recipients of the Bancroft Gold Award, RADA’s highest award, was Alan Rickman, who received it in 1974, the year he graduated.”
(‘RADA.aс.uk’)
* The original 8mm film have not been digitize and are stored in the RADA archive.
Full credit to the original Instagram post by @alan__rickman__ for research, text, and photo sourcing.
Preserving and sharing for appreciation. Please support the original source.
