Founded in 1911, Italia Conti is one of Britain’s oldest theatre arts training schools and is the only one to offer full-time courses at secondary, further and higher education levels. The Academy has produced some of our most prolific and talented performers. It all began with the children’s play ‘Where the Rainbow Ends’ when Italia Conti, who was already an established actress and who had a growing reputation for her success working with young people, was asked to take over their training. The production was a triumph and  the school was born in a basement in London’s Great Portland Street.

From these early beginnings, when aspiring young thespians including Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence began their careers under the direction of Miss Conti, today’s students can be secure in the knowledge that they will receive the very finest training.

The Academy continues to grow and flourish and is committed to giving access to training to as many people and age ranges as possible via full-time courses as well as short courses, summer schools and associate schools across the country. The BA (Hons) Acting Course is based at Avondale in Clapham North and The Theatre Arts School and The Performing Arts Courses are taught at the Goswell Road Building at the Barbican.