The main aim of the six hour course, divided into four sessions of an hour and a half, is to enable the participants to experience Spanish attitudes to the world of theatre. With the accent placed firmly on a practical hands-on approach, the students are shown how actors and directors work in Spain and are then encouraged to try for themselves a number of short classical and contemporary texts.
- Introduction: a thirty minute introduction to the world of Spanish theatre and cinema.
- Session One: The first contact with students serves as an opportunity to assess their ability to improvise and express themselves. After a few warm-up exercises, students are divided into groups and asked to enact short scenes of their choosing. They are then asked to imagine the same scenes but in a Spanish context. The use of body language, facial expression and intonation is discussed and English and Spanish characteristics are compared.
- Session Two: Using practical exercises, students are shown why, due to the effect of dubbing original dialogue in the cinema, Spanish dialogue is usually much faster than its English equivalent. Whereas English actors are accustomed to a certain rhythm, their Spanish counterparts are expected to produce a faster, unrelenting pace. The second part of this session looks at the differences with regard to humour between one culture and the other and students are expected to improvise in what is probably a very different style to that to which they are accustomed.
- Session Three: Using English translations (unless otherwise desired), groups can choose from a number of short extracts from classical and contemporary Spanish texts. Under the teacher’s supervision they are then given time to prepare their chosen scene. The texts have been especially chosen to reflect both traditional Spanish theatre and more modern trends which have appeared over the last twenty years. All the students have the opportunity to portray characters which they find interesting or curious.
- Session Four: After performing their scenes, the students are invited to comment on the differences that they believe exist between one culture and the other. In every session the students are encouraged to discuss and criticise at all times.
The course is given by Richard Elelman, born in London in 1961. From 1972 until 1984 he worked as an actor on stage, television and in the cinema. After graduating from the University of Newcastle, he travelled abroad working as a teacher in Asia, Africa and Europe. Richard has lived in Spain since 1988. Apart from his work as a teacher, he has directed and acted in numerous Spanish productions and works for Spanish radio.
In 2001 he directed Zanni Teatro, representing Spain at the World Youth Theatre Festival in London.[box title="Group Programmes" color="#ff6600"]
An example of a group programme (can be adapted to your needs):
Half board or full board in a hotel in Rosas:
- Day 1: Arrival at the hotel with dinner.
- Day 2: 09.00-10.30h drama session, visit to Girona (60 km from Rosas) with it’s Gothic Cathedral, Arabian baths, Jewish Quarter and Ramblas. Dinner at the hotel. Evening option: a flamenco show.
- Day 3: 09.00-11.30h drama session, visit to the Dalí Museum (17 km) and Cadaqués (17 km), the village where Salvador Dalí lived and worked. 17.00-18.30h, drama session, dinner at the hotel.
- Day 4: Full day in Barcelona (150 km) to see the famous Sagrada Familia, Gothic Quarter, street artists on the Ramblas, shopping, etc. Dinner at the hotel.
- Day 5: 09.00-11.30h last drama session, free time to enjoy the beach, go on a boat trip or train ride, shopping in Roses….. Dinner at the hotel.
- Day 6: Departure after breakfast.