First of all can I congratulate the students who have worked so hard, their families who have offered support and the staff who have nurtured them during their time at Rose Bruford. Well done you.
While I was preparing this I looked up Rose Elisabeth Bruford and was interested to learn that after she graduated, Rose then “followed her parents wishes never to work in the theatre”. I hope that following their graduations the graduates today will be sitting down with their parents ready to heed any similar advice.
While Rose Bruford sort of followed her parents wishes you might have noticed she didn’t really not go into the theatre. She taught. According to the ever reliable wikipedia she taught at 43 different schools between 1925 and 1949. And for 7 of those years the country was at war. She built a drama course at the Royal Academy of Music. She taught mime at RADA. And principally she taught teachers of drama. That was before she founded the institution we are sitting in today. She was an Evangelist. She preached theatre and spoken word. I can relate to that.
As we all know theatre can be an expensive, brash and alienating experience. We’ve all got our theatre horror stories - I could ask you to turn to your neighbour and share your theatre scars but I’ve only got three minutes. Actually, when you break it down theatre has healing properties.
Whether it’s in a ancient tribe or a modern city, a special space is made where people meet. That’s nice. A story is shared. There might be special light or special clothes. The people listen and perhaps laugh or cry or gasp together. They support the story teller. And then they leave. And it’s gone. For theatre is made from the attention given by people. Around the fire, or at the national theatre it’s the same - If the audience turn their backs on the stage there is no theatre. Theatre isn’t an art, it’s an act of giving.
It asks the best of us. Team work. Creativity. And care... any good team will be a caring and supportive group. And from anyone watching - a run through, or a performance (or indeed a short speech from a nervous man) it asks for attention and presence.
I believe these values are what drove Rose’s evangelism. And I believe they are much needed in our hectic, screen centred, lives today. And from my work I know these values are appreciated by people of all ages, and from all walks of life.
I see people thrive in the supportive spaces that theatre offers. Children who have been excruciatingly shy, even selectively mute telling and enacting their story - Because they want to contribute to the fun. Survivors of aerial bombing - both in Hiroshima and London who want to contribute their experiences - Because they want the story never to be forgotten. Audiences leaning in to support an actor as they weave their tale - Because they want it to be magic.
Theatre builds connections and community. It nurtures us.
So I hope you thrive in the making of your art. And that through the pressures that come with it you can enjoy, and evangelise about, the ideals it aspires to.
Thank you.
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