Manchester School of Theatre

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The Manchester School of Theatre also known as The Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre originally called the Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama is a drama school, situated in the city of Manchester, UK founded in 1970 .

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History

Manchester School of Theatre evolved out of an early training course for professional actors that was introduced by the Manchester College of Art and Design between 1964 and 1966. The theatre school was officially established in 1970 as part of Manchester Polytechnic. A Drama Department was established that aimed to serve the professional needs of student performers and reflect the ethos and values associated with the conservatoire model of training . Based at the Capitol Theatre, Didsbury, the School that was to grow from this initiative quickly established an outstanding national and international reputation for the provision of vocational training for those seeking careers as professional performers and actors .

In 1992 Manchester Polytechnic changed its name to Manchester Metropolitan University. In 1998, the School relocated to the Manchester Metropolitan University All Saints campus in central Manchester, bringing it into closer contact with the city and Manchester School of Art, which it is a part . The move increased access to central Manchester which served to further strengthen the School's links with many of the region's key employers - including BBC, The Royal Exchange Theatre and Contact Theatre.

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Academic programme

According to The Complete University Guide, the school has a ratio of over 50:1 applicants for each place on the BA(Hons) Acting course. The September 2012 intake of twenty-eight students were chosen from over seventeen hundred people who auditioned for a place on the course. It is part of The Manchester Metropolitan University. The school trains students to become professional actors in the stage, television and radio industry. The course offered is BA(Hons) Acting, which lasts three years. Students who complete the three year BA are eligible for Equity status.

The third year students perform to the public in their own in-house theatre, Capitol Theatre, which is in the Mabel Tylecote building, Oxford Road, Manchester, part of the Manchester Metropolitan University All Saints campus. Third year productions are open to the public, tickets can be booked through the Capitol Theatre website. All third year students take part in an annual showcase which takes place both at Capitol Theatre, and the Soho Theatre in London in the spring term.