In 1945 a young amateur actor, Peter Coxhead, was stationed in wartime Sri Lanka. Unable to join the officer-only entertainment troupe he set up his own, open to all ranks. On returning home to London he saw a need for an equally egalitarian experience and so established Mountview, first as a ‘theatre club’ in Crouch End in north London, before developing it into what would become a world-leading drama school – now one of the most inclusive in the UK. 

Today Mountview’s mission is to be a performance and creative learning centre of excellence and opportunity for all and is one of the UK’s leading drama schools.

Mountview offers professional vocational training in performance and production arts to 460 Foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. 

In 2018 they moved to a purpose-built facility in south London and in March 2020 their joint Chief Executives, Sarah Preece and Stephen Jameson, received Olivier Awards recognising their achievement in creating a spectacular new home and their commitment to promoting inclusivity. 

Mountview attracts applicants from 88 countries from across the world and across the UK. 

Ninety-five per cent of undergraduate students leave Mountview with agent representation and ninety–seven per cent of our students work in the creative industry within one year of graduation.  

Seventy per cent of all long-running West End shows feature Mountview graduates. 

Courses:

Foundation:

Foundation Musical Theatre (Full Time)

The full-time Foundation in Musical Theatre is focused equally on the triple threat disciplines of acting, singing and dance..

The course is all about helping you find your own creative voice and developing the technique needed to progress onto further vocational training.

Foundation Musical Theatre (Part Time)

With classes taking place three evenings per week students are able to work alongside their studies to support themselves financially. This ability to work combined with competitive course fees makes this one of the most accessible Musical Theatre Foundation courses in the UK.

Foundation in Acting for Stage and Screen Performance (Full Time)

Mountview’s full-time Foundation-level training focuses on three key areas of artistic development: creativity, technique and readiness.

Foundation in Acting (Part Time)

This part-time evening Foundation course delivers the core elements of skills training while developing creativity and artistic identity.

Undergraduate:

FDA/BA (Hons) Theatre Production Arts-Lighting

Their vocational, hands-on course has seen graduates go on to be Chief Electrician at the Royal Shakespeare Company, freelance production electricians, and notable lighting designers.

BA (Hons) Performance (Musical Theatre)

The course develops technical skills through practical classes, workshops and performances and is split between the three essential musical theatre skills: acting, singing and dance.

BA (Hons) Performance (Actor Musicianship)

There is an ever-increasing demand for performers who combine first-rate acting ability with a high level of musicianship.

Mountview’s Actor Musician course develops these dual skills to the highest level, creating graduates who combine skills in acting and music in their professional lives.

BA (Hons) Performance (Acting)

Mountview’s vocational actor training will thoroughly prepare you for a career in theatre, TV, film and recorded arts.

FDA/BA (Hons) Theatre Production Arts-Sound

Mountview’s vocational, hands-on courses in sound have seen graduates go on to be production sound engineers and sound designers in the West End, across the UK and internationally.

FDA/BA (Hons) Theatre Production Arts-Stage Management

Mountview produces around 26 plays and musicals in theatres across London, the UK and internationally each year, giving Stage Management students a vast array of learning experiences.

FDA/BA (Hons) Top-Up in Scenic Art and Prop Making

Two programmes offer specialist vocational training in scenic art and prop making for theatre, film, TV and related industries such as theming and heritage.

Fees: Fees vary by course, and Mountview also provides Funding support and Scholarships for students who are eligible. Click here to find out more.

Head: Stephen Jameson