London Drama was originally formed in 1955 by teachers committed to the creative experience of educational drama and the school play. The Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) took a lead role in setting up its Drama Advisory Team to develop drama in schools. Outer London Boroughs and, indeed, many metropolitan authorities and counties throughout the UK followed suit. Support in London and on a national scale was provided for drama, drama-in-education, theatre-in-education, and theatre arts, including the rapidly developing GCSE and A level courses.

The abolition of the ILEA in 1990 and the paring down of Outer London Borough support was a severe setback.

However, the committee of London Drama stepped into the breach and became pro-active. We campaigned actively (with National Drama) for Drama’s place in the National Curriculum, while continuing to maintain a full programme of drama INSET support for teachers in London and a book service for teachers in any part of the world.

Based initially at the London Drama and Tape Centre in Holborn, then at Central School of Speech and Drama, Swiss Cottage, and now at Diorama Arts, we continue the tradition of stewardship and new initiatives to maintain and develop the network of drama teachers and theatre workers across the Capital.

Above:
Dorothy Heathcote, the great Drama Educator, participating in London Drama's 'Drama Now' event held at the Drama and Tape Centre, Princeton Street in 1979

see Trustees

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