Willy Russell - Stage-ed Patron

It was fabulous last time and you should know that a group of year 11 students used the work they did with you for one of the scenes in their final moderation. I had 9 students- 7 gained a maximum 45/45 for their performance, one got 44 and another got 42! Not bad, eh? Must have been one of the highest scoring moderations in the country. They were an exceptional bunch and I won’t get another cohort like them but thank you for your contribution as I’m sure it gave them the edge.

The workshop was very interesting for all of the students. The warm up put all the students at ease and the manner of the leaders was excellent. The Q&A; was very useful especially to students wishing to take drama further

Nearly 50 Y11 students from St. Joseph’s College, Reading travelled up to see one of the final performances of Blood Brothers at the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End before it closed. The students were thrilled and amazed at the quality of acting; also reduced to tears before the final curtain came down. The following Monday we were very excited to welcome Lou and Mike, members of the cast we had seen to our College to conduct a workshop. The pupils were treated to a professional insight into what it is like to be a performer at the very highest level. The students were very active and completed a range of exercises ranging from theatre games to scripted scenes. To say the students were inspired is an understatement and we would definitely recommend this experience to any Drama Department in the country. The workshop leaders were happy to tailor the experience on the day as a Y11 GCSE Group benefitted from help in developing a devised piece they were working on. The students were buzzing from the visit and it was refreshing for them to ask questions about the profession that were answered fully by working professionals. More than a workshop, more like a real experience of ‘Theatre’ in every sense of the word.

What a fabulous day. Mike infused energy and enthusiasm into the students that brought the script to life and enhanced performance. Year 11 have managed to incorporate some of the skills they picked up into the extract they will be performing for their GCSE moderation in a couple of weeks. I would love to make this a regular feature on our calendar

A really good day with some great positive feedback from our pupils and staff. Larner and Tom (cast members from An Inspector Calls) were fab and really brought things to life for classes. A really enjoyable day. Thank you.

Really glad Stage-Ed are coming back in; you had such a positive impact on the GCSE grades last year. Laura Baker, Passmore Academy.

Stage-ed are brilliant. No hesitation in recommending them at all. We have booked them more than once because of the highly energetic pace and superb levels of engagement that they create with students. They are always professional and really give students a deeper insight into a play. As a teacher, they leave me feeling inspired (and with plenty of ideas that I can pinch for warm ups etc) plus, our students genuinely like them and always ask if we can book them again. So if anyone’s thinking about booking, I’d say their workshops are some of the best I’ve seen and you won’t regret it!

Your Blood Brother’s workshop was seriously amazing, enriching the students’ understanding of text, ensemble work, and stagecraft. Thank you! Have you back again soon

WOW! We were utterly blown away last week – thank you for our wonderful workshop! The children had a ball and learnt so much, the teachers learnt a great deal too. I will definitely be calling Stage-ed again. Thank you for inspiring our children! You are amazing.

Fantastic ‘bespoke’ workshop delivered by Michael Southern It engaged my students, challenged them and they thoroughly enjoyed it and loved working with him. This is just the start of our work with this company! Get involved and your students will be thrilled!

The 39 Steps workshop was really great. Stage-ed covered everything that I asked for and the students had a fab time.

Mike from stage-ed tailored an incredible workshop for our Year 5s. All of the children, no matter what past experiences, were made to feel confident and enthusiastic by Mike’s incredible delivery and engagement with the children. In each 60 minute session, they took part in a variety of activities which allowed them to express themselves both individually and as part of a group. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by children and staff alike. Thank you to all at Stage-ed, we will be recommending to other schools in our area!

We would like to say a huge thank you Stage-Ed and Mike for a fantastic day working on An Inspector Calls! Mike delivered an engaging and entertaining revision workshop for almost a whole year group throughout the course of just one day. Mike’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the play really encouraged the students to come out of their shells and dig deeper into the plot, characters and context of the play. Some of our most unlikely students were jumping around the hall and creating thoughtful freeze frames (a hand full of students even attempted to partake in the workshop twice). I know that the students thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and it was invaluable to their revision for their WJEC GCSE English exam. We look forward to working with Mike and the team again soon. – Laura Cope, Cardiff high School

Stage Ed have delivered 2 outstanding workshops for our pupils. Both creative, engaging and packed with the transferable Drama skills we aim to provide for our pupils. The workshop gives the pupils a special professional experience and an insight into the industry. Our pupils absolutely loved it. We highly recommend this company.

Gareth was amazing with the students and we had a wonderful session with him. I particularly thought the way he put them at ease and made them feel it was ok to be themselves thoroughly helped. I would recommend him to anyone. We are booking you again next year for The Crucible.

Gareth was absolutely amazing in the National Theatre Connections workshop. His whole persona was incredible. He was extremely inspiration, approachable, professional and very friendly. He was such a lovely man. He gave the students time at the end to answer any questions, which went down really well. He was superb and I’m so grateful you sent him!

Amanda from the Lion King was energetic, enthusiastic, professional, and hugely engaging. What she did with these students in a day was amazing. This has really helped and inspired them in preperation for their Lion King performance. Other staff noted there was a buzz around the hall. We look forward to working with you again”. David Killick, Broughton Fields Primary School.

The best masterclass we have had in..” Pauline Quirke Academy, Bradley Stoke.

I have learnt that it is a great job to have being an actor. It boosted my self esteem by a lot it also gave me more knowldege about the play Blood Brothers’ Thank you” (Bradley English Yr 9) “I found it really fun and different, it really benefitted me and my Drama group, we learnt so much about one particular scene in the show….it was fun” (Edward Clews Yr 9) “I thought the workshop was amazing. It has really helped me with my assessment and I have been able to reflect upon my style of performing and alter areas to suit my characters purpose and intention. I now can do a Liverpool accent.” (Kathryn Anne Barry Yr9) “Mike and Louise were fab! they both had a lovely rapport with the students which was a joy to watch.

Y11 working with Stage-Ed on live literature in the hall. Total mastery of content and creative quality delivery in action. Students hooked and making great progress from their start point this morning.

Working with Mike was a pleasure from start to finish. He succeeded in engaging our pupils in a high-energy, professionally delivered workshop. The warm-ups were innovative and ensured that all pupils were with him from the outset; the accent coaching was fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable; his knowledge of Blood Brothers and its stagecraft was superb. Mike brought an extra-dimension to the play for our pupils who had all seen the show. A truly valuable experience. We can’t wait to work with him again.

The workshops were some of the best I’ve ever had in. Both Mike & Lou were passionate about ‘Blood Brothers’.The sessions were well structured, packed full and the girls were engaged, involved and learning all the time in fun ways that are different from their learning anywhere else in their school day. How do I follow that next week in my lessons?!

The Workshop was fantastic. It was very well structured. The workshop leaders were great with the students. Overall the students had an inspiring, educational and challenging day. Thank You

Gareth was amazing with the students and we had a wonderful session with him. I particularly thought the way he put them at ease and made them feel it was ok to be themselves thoroughly helped. I would recommend him to anyone. We are coming back next year for The Crucible.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Mike @Stage-ed for spending the day with us on Saturday and the super Blood Brothers workshop. The young people were simultaneously hanging on every word and yet given scope to be really creative. They played loads of group games and energisers, got some spot of careers and audition advice, chance to really get to grips with sections of the play as whole groups and pairs. Crucially they were taught so much useful vocab and theatrical terms. Mike delivered this with fantastic energy and maintained the mixed age and gender kids focus throughout. Absolute magic….and looking already at when we can do it again! Eva Pearson, Head of drama, Tavistock College.

Working with Mike was a pleasure from start to finish. He succeeded in engaging our pupils in a high-energy, professionally delivered workshop. The warm-ups were innovative and ensured that all pupils were with him from the outset; the accent coaching was fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable; his knowledge of Blood Brothers and its stagecraft was superb. Mike brought an extra-dimension to the play for our pupils who had all seen the show. A truly valuable experience. We can’t wait to work with him again.

Wow. I just wanted to say thank you to all involved today, unfortunately I didn’t get chance to say goodbye. It was fantastic and the students, and staff, loved every minute. It really was a ‘wow’ moment seeing some of our most challenging students working in that way. Wonderful. I can’t wait for Macbeth now!
Thanks again.

Thank you Stage-ed / Mike Southern for a highly engaging and professional workshop with our Year 10 GCSE students. The skills and techniques you taught them have given both groups a much greater confidence with Blood Brothers in terms of staging, direction and characterisation, particularly in vocalisation of roles. A good pace and quick establishment of rapport with the students and your infectious enthusiasm for Willy Russell’s script and songs made it an unforgettable experience for our students. Nick Perry, Head of Drama, St Ivo School.

Mike from Stage-ed recently visited Hillpark Secondary school and worked with a range of pupils from S1-S6. He led pupils through an inter-active and physical workshop, introducing them to the rehearsal process experienced by professional actors. The Blood-Brothers work-shop was well structured and fun! Pupils enjoyed experimenting with accents and bringing the characters to life. They were invigorated by the unique experience and requested more work-shop days in the future. Mike’s enthusiasm and energy kept everyone engaged throughout. He covered a lot of ground in the workshop including career pathways, his personal experiences of acting in major productions was informative and inspiring. Mike took time to answer questions at the end of the workshop and offered much appreciated support to the cast members of our school show. We highly recommend this specialist, high-energy work-shop! Pupil Comments “Wish we could have more workshop days like that!” “It was an amazing workshop and I learned so much.” “I enjoyed working with the senior pupils. Some of them were very good actors.” “Mike was great actor! He helped me learn how to do a Liverpool accent.”

As a Drama teacher, I would thoroughly recommend a workshop led by Mike. We have been lucky enough to have Mike in twice, once to lead a workshop with our Year 9s (who had opted for GCSE Drama) and more recently, to work specifically with our More Able GCSE pupils. Both times, pupils have filled out a questionnaire, with 100% agreeing that it was ‘Excellent’, ‘Thoroughly Enjoyable’ and that they would be able to apply the skills learnt to their practical assessments. Mike has an ability to get the best out of the pupils with his high energy approach whilst also maintaining an inclusive atmosphere, so pupils feel confident working together. It’s also a great way to learn new improvisation techniques which can be built into units of work. A great way to enthuse pupils about the possibilities of Drama.