The Poor School aims to deliver the highest quality acting training for the lowest possible cost.

26 years of graduates have gone on to enjoy successful careers in theatre, film, comedy and radio. Some ex-students have founded their own companies, others have become producers, directors, casting directors and agents.

The two year training begins each autumn and is scheduled largely in the evenings and at weekends.

Entrance is by audition or via a short course.

As a school that has never relied on subsidy our fees are not subject to the large increases that most other vocational or academic courses are now charging.

We run Four Day Courses through the year (Tuesday to Friday, daytime) and Three Week Summer Courses in July (Monday to Friday evening and Saturday). There is no audition; entrance is by enrolment.

Dominic Cavendish, drama critic at The Daily Telegraph, attended a Four Day Course in June 2010. Here is his review. And there are more Poor School reviews on Hot Courses.

Director Paul Caister visits Peterborough, New Hampshire - the inspiration for Thornton Wilder's play Our Town.