Court Theatre Training Company was established in 1989 in King's Cross by June Abbott. June spent many years working in the industry as an actor before turning to teaching and primarily conducting drama school entry and audition classes. June opened The Finborough Arms, Earls Court, now an internationally renowned performance venue which celebrates new writing, in 1980 whilst continuing to offer actor training. As a natural progression, June opened the Court Theatre Training Company and in 1989 accepted her first cohort of students into the college. Initially a private qualification the college became a three-year BA honours degree in the early 2000s. In 2014, the degree was once again adapted to suit challenges faced in the industry and became a two-year accelerated degree allowing for a shorter training time, a more focused training schedule and reduced tuition fees.
Alongside the development of the college the performance space used in training began to be used by external companies and visiting professionals. As a result of this use and calling on the experience gained in the establishment and subsequent management of The Finborough Arms, The Courtyard theatre was born. Aptly named after the Victorian building that the company occupied, which featured loft style rehearsal rooms and performance spaces surrounding a traditional working courtyard. The theatre went from strength to strength and quickly became a leading fringe venue in the theatre landscape of London. In 2005, The Courtyard established a sister venue at the Victoria & Albert Museum's, Theatre Museum whilst completing scheduled renovations at our new facility The Courtyard Theatre in Hoxton. Opening in 2007 with 2 theatres, rehearsal rooms and our newly established Iambic Bar. Past hires have included Endemol (BBC), Carnage of God (Ralph Fiennes) and Theatre Royal Bath and many other professional visiting companies. Recent productions that have made use of The Courtyard's rehearsal space include No Man's Land (featuring Sir Michael Gambon and David Walliams), A View from the Bridge (featuring Ken Stott) and Complicité's production of Endgame (featuring Mark Rylance).
The Courtyard began as a music venue in 2014 after successful sound proofing work to the studio space. The addition of live music to the programme quickly became a success and The Courtyard is now an established venue musicians and artists from across the globe with artists such as Bastille, FKA Twigs and Jess Glynne all having performed.
Court Theatre Training Company can boast a practical 'hands on' and truly vocational training. Our degree is taught by working professionals which provides a training and experience that will enable all graduates to make a positive contribution to the world of theatre and film. We are completed focused on the future of the Arts and Entertainment industry and maintain a strong emphasis on the practical and business side of employment.
Court Theatre Training Company maintains a fine reputation for the continuing quality of its work, which is a tribute to its training. The structure of an independent professional theatre and training company creates an opportunity for a unique learning cycle. The knowledge acquired throughout the course encourages a genuine responsive and professional approach to performance.