The Northern School
​Autumn 2016

 
It is the end of the 1950’s, and Esme Church, doyenne of London’s West End, spearheads The Northern School of Acting,offering a way out of the mills and shopfloors and onto the stage. But first, they must learn to look, walk and, most of all, talk like real actors like John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier.
 
But the 60’s are looming, and the British New Wave is ready to explode. The kids at the Northern School soon want to look and sound like themselves, to hear their own voices on the stage with all their passion - and anger. A seismic clash of culture is about to unfold when the real drama happens backstage and the students rebel.
 
Featuring a live rock ‘n roll band,and a cast of new and undiscovered talent, Bent Architect take over the Bradford Playhouse and invite you to venture behind the scenes and into the rehearsal rooms, to peep into dressing rooms, and enter the world of the late 50's youth culture. 
 
With a beatnik jazz café, video and film projection, the youthful optimism, energy and fun of The Northern School comes back to life as its young hopefuls  throw their heart and souls into becoming actors… into finding their own creative voice.
 
Made with the support of Bradford’s creative community, we celebrate a seismic moment in our history, when kids believed the world could be changed, and they could be that change.
 
The Northern School is where a great many people’s dreams have come true.
 
Generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
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