Famed stage school Italia Conti celebrates 115 years: from Noël Coward to the TikTok era
Italia Conti, one of the UK’s most renowned stage schools, marks its 115th anniversary. The school has undergone major changes, moving to a new building in Woking, closing its junior school, and adapting to modern demands including social media and student mental health.
Founded in London in 1911 by English actress Italia Conti to teach children for the play "Where the Rainbow Ends" at the Savoy Theatre, the school celebrates its 115th anniversary this year. Among its earliest pupils was Noël Coward. By the 1930s, the school offered lessons in elocution, acting, singing, fencing, and dance (ballroom, operatic, Greek and stage dancing).
Today, the focus is on commercial dance, aerial circus skills, and social media advice. Since 2022, the school has been housed in a modern building in Woking, featuring recording studios, a wellness suite, and a costume department. Large windows inspired by New York's Juilliard School allow passersby to see dancers in training.
The last decade brought significant shifts. The financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of the junior school (ages 11-16) in 2021, alma mater of Bonnie Langford, Louise Redknapp, and Martine McCutcheon. CEO Hayley Newton-Jarvis says reviving the junior school is a 10-year plan, not a two-year plan. Other stage schools, such as Redroofs and Barbara Speake, also closed.
Teaching methods have evolved. Harriet Whitbread, head of acting, notes that in the past there was a lot of swearing and telling students they were crap. Now the school has a responsibility to ensure students remain intact and resilient. Resilience is a recurring theme; teachers debate whether it is built through challenges or through support and safety.
Mental health is a growing concern. Newton-Jarvis says students struggle more with anxiety and part-time jobs alongside studies, and the school now runs its own food bank. Training is less intense than it used to be, focusing more on nurturing, but she worries about graduates being unprepared for the real world. Students also find repetition harder, which she attributes to smartphones and dopamine addiction.
In commercial dance classes with Lawrence Parsons, students learn style, detail, dynamics, and performance. Social media is integral; some students already earn from TikTok content. Regarding AI, the school acknowledges potential impacts but believes live performance’s human risk is irreplaceable. Student Sophia Oram, a third-year musical theatre student, emphasizes the need for hard work and discipline to succeed.
