Rose Bruford, the founder of the College, was an exquisite verse-speaker and muse to the Poet Laureate, John Masefield. It is her spirit and legacy that inspired the formation of the Centre which holds her books, professional papers and recordings of her recitals, together with a small book collection of poetry and prose donated by John Masefield.
The Patron of the Centre is Cicely Berry CBE, DLitt(Hon), Director of Voice, Royal Shakespeare Company; and the Advisory Board includes the celebrated voice and communications consultant, Jane Boston. Fellows of the College associated with the work of the Centre include Andrew Wade, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s former Head of Voice; Lyn Darnley, the RSC’s current Head of Text, Voice and Artistic Development; leading RSC actor Greg Hicks; Mary King, Director of the South Bank Centre’s Voicelab; and distinguished actor Simon Callow CBE; and former Head of Voice of the College, Sally Grace, is the Centre’s Visiting Professor.
The Centre launched its first major research project in 2010, Voicing Shakespeare, which looks specifically at the playwright’s language and its place in the 21st Century. The project involves exploration of the work of schools, conservatoires, voice specialists, actors, directors, composers, and major theatre companies; and is led by Prof Nesta Jones, Prof Simon Trussler and Tess Dignan, the College’s Head of Voice.
The Centre celebrated the College’s Diamond Jubilee on the 16th of June 2011 with an event focusing on Rose Bruford’s belief in the significance and joy of poetry, and her love of and expertise in speaking many kinds of verse. And researchers in the Centre developed an exhibition on the life and work of Rose Bruford to accompany the Jubilee event and work is under way on a book in which she will feature along with other influential women who have advanced the education and training of theatre-makers.
In 2011-12 the Centre will begin offering continuing education short courses on subjects related to voice and speech.
