Aida Foster Theatre School
The Aida Foster Theatre School for drama, dance and education was founded by Aida Foster in 1929[1] as a hobby to teach dancing. It expanded over the years to become one of Britain's foremost stage schools. Many stage and film personalities of the 20th Century received their professional education and arranged their first employment through the school. Run by Aida, and later by her daughter Anita Foster, it catered for three different groups of students: those that undertook dance training only, younger pupils that had full education plus both dancing and drama training, and older students taking drama training only.
The Aida Foster School supplied many of the pantomime "babes" (children's choruses and parts) for the West End Christmas shows of the 1950s.[2] They also obtained modelling contracts for many of the juveniles.
Foster had started a theatrical agency associated with the school in 1944.[3] Following the death of her husband she closed the school in 1970 to concentrate on the agency with her daughter Anita.[3]
The school was situated on Finchley Road in Golders Green, London, just north of the junction with Golders Green Road.
Alumni
Notable alumni include:
- film actress Jean Simmons[1]
- Carry On actress Barbara Windsor[1]
- actress Kate O'Mara[1]
- actress Vicki Michelle[1]
- actress Shirley Eaton[1]
- singer and actress Elaine Paige[1]
- singer and actress Marti Webb (who became Head Girl)[4]
- actress Dilys Laye[3]
- artist Sara Leighton[3]
- actress Perlita Neilson[3]
- child actor and musician Paul Layton[5]
- actor Robin Davies[6]
- actresses Linda and Jane Hayden
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Freeman, Ian (2 October 2007), "Anita Foster", The Stage
- ^ "Pantomime Chorus and Juveniles". its-behind-you.com. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Theatre school closes... 40 years on." Times [London, England] 20 Jan. 1970: 8. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 26 Oct. 2013.
- ^ Editorial Staff (9 February 2004). "20 Questions With…Marti Webb". WhatsOnStage.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014.
- ^ "pauls biog". thenewseekers.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
- ^ "Robin Davies: Actor who found fame alongside Wendy Craig and Catweazle". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
External links
- BritishPathe Aida Foster School video newsreel film
51°34′22″N 0°11′44″W / 51.57278°N 0.19556°W
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- Use dmy dates from March 2012
- Ballet schools in the United Kingdom
- Dance schools in the United Kingdom
- Drama schools in London
- Defunct schools in the London Borough of Barnet
- Educational institutions established in 1929
- 1929 establishments in England
- Educational institutions disestablished in 1970
- 1970 disestablishments in England