Most of us have that little dream that we could tread the boards. Drama with Lesley lets you live your dream!
By Tracy Mukherjee
Looking for Drama Classes in Glasgow West End?
In our younger years, we had no problem playing parts. Imaginative play as children allows us to explore our inner thespians — a princess, a rock star, a mum, an actor! For, when we are children, we can be anything.
Oh what a shame that we grow up and inhibition creeps in. Fear of being judged, being embarrassed, dims our inner light and more often than not, we smother that performance flame.
But what if you could find a rather talented drama teacher who could navigate you back to being that eight-year-old who blossomed through performing?
Captain, my Captain
Lesley Russell is a drama teacher. An extremely well qualified drama teacher. She has an MA in Theatre Studies & English Literature from Glasgow University and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education for Secondary Drama and English. Plus, she has a further Post-Graduate Diploma in Performance from Drama Studio London, based in…Ealing. I think they may have made one or two films there. It’s fair to assume, then, that this is a lady who knows a thing or two about acting.
Lesley is an actor, singer, writer, and all-round performer who grew up studying at the Royal Conservatoire. Having worked for many years in schools and on stage, in 2024 she took the step of starting her own drama school. And so Drama With Lesley was born.
Drama With Lesley
Passionate about drama for all ages, Lesley runs classes for adults and children. Her adult classes have gone on to produce sell out shows. Lesley not only acted in the plays but was integral in writing the script. A Deathly Dinner Party was an immersive murder mystery, set at Glasgow University. Audience members loved the performance, with reviews saying ‘Loved it’, ‘It was great to get involved!’ ‘I enjoyed it more than a play I saw at the theatre.’
Such was the enthusiastic for the production that Lesley decided to film it over a two day shoot. This allowed the actors to discover the difference between acting for stage and acting for camera. The drama class also had a sold out Christmas production, A Victorian Christmas, staged at the drama school’s home, The Western Baths Club. This year’s Christmas panto is a jollier affair – Polly Pan-To and the Pirates Fae Partick! And whilst the show will have key roles for adults, the children attendees at Lesley’s classes will also take part in the panto.
If your wee one is a little shy however, Drama with Lesley, may still be for them. Whilst, as very young children, we are happy to sing, dance and use our imaginations, as we grow older, our self-esteem doesn’t always allow us to have the confidence to act. Lesley’s children’s classes not only cultivate acting skills but are hugely helpful for growing children’s confidence, for meeting new friends and for having a huge amount of fun.
Grow your Inner Geilgud
Lucky for us then that Lesley has blocks for adults and children coming up at the end of October. These 6/8 week courses focus on a whole range of skills, appropriate for all stages of acting. And although the classes are held at The Western Baths Club, it is open to all. Are you an adult, who would love to try out acting but don’t have the confidence? Lesley says,
‘Get creative, have fun and explore whilst meeting new chums. Try accents and get a good laugh as you move about. Drama is exercise without realising because get the character you are playing to move about and warm you up!
We are currently accepting new adults for Sunday improvisation and script class. So we either begin with either a script to work on or with an idea, a starting point which we use to then make up and explore characters and come up with ideas on setting and plot and start to develop it into lots of scenes.’
Go on, Give it a Go!
‘There are spaces for the end Oct 26th – Dec 14th block. We start a new improvised drama called Psychic Nights. A lot of adults had not tried drama until they came to me and have now got really confident. The class is from 1-2 pm, but we usually arrive at 12.45 to catch up before we go in and go for a tea or coffee in the bistro after to chat, for those who do not need to rush off. We have some new people starting in October and more places available.’
‘So if you want to try it, book a free trial or book the block. Non- members are welcome. You are never too old to try drama as there are characters are for all parts. We invite a different acting guest each week to pop along and join us in the fun as it helps us learn and they enjoy it. We usually start with a fun warm up movement, voices and a wee sharing and then explore the scene go into pairs rehearse times and then a full group share with one another and give positive feedback and a wind down. It’s a great way to set yourself up for a fun Sunday.’
So, Looking for drama classes in Glasgow West End? At Drama With Lesley you are in very safe hands.
Contact Lesley directly on 07940562528
Facebook Drama with Lesley Russell
Or email her at dramawithlesley@gmail.com
