Mountview is multiplying and now has seven CertHEs across the country. By Nilgün Yusuf.
It’s been a long-held view that to make a career in the performing arts, you must move to London. But with sky high rents and the prohibitive cost of capital living, this is not an option for many young people. Mountview, established in 1945 and with a world class reputation in the performing arts – alumni include Mina Anwar, Don Gilet, Douglas Henshaw, Eddie Marsan, Amanda Holden and Ken Stott – has engineered a solution to offer more opportunity around the country.
Although Mountview’s flagship building is in Peckham, South London, the CertHE (Certificate of Education) for students aged 18 up in Musical Theatre is now available in seven different UK locations – including London. In 2024, this Level 4 professional training course was set up in Birmingham, Manchester & Exeter and last September saw further expansion in Chelmsford, Hertford and Belfast. An additional pathway of Acting was introduced to London, Exeter and Chelmsford this year, with a total cohort of 240 students of which 90% are home students. There are never groups larger than 16.
Presided over by Paul-Ryan Carberry, who has a long connection with Mountview – he graduated as an actor in 2008, he explains, “Mountview is not a building, it’s a training and an ethos. We wanted to take our provision out of London, so students are able to learn where they’ve grown up. Many talented artists permanently slip the net because they don’t manage to get onto the three-year degree of their choice first time round. Sometimes they’re just not ready – this course helps them get ready.” But the CertHE is not just preparation for a degree.
“While some might progress in education, others choose to direct, write or go into other jobs afterwards. All leave with more confidence. Many come from places where there’s right and wrong answers, where they are taught to conform, or told, ‘No, that’s not possible’. At Mountview we build our students up starting with what they have. In a world where arts have been devalued and stripped from many schools, the CertHE gives a valuable year in which to exist as an artist, have your imagination nurtured and explore divergent thinking. We don’t want a country of actors, we want a country of artists and creative thinkers.”
While some educational establishments spend millions on state-of-the-art campuses, the Mountview philosophy is more resourceful and works collaboratively to deliver the programme from established local theatres or arts venues including Chelmsford Theatre, Z-Arts in Manchester, Exeter Phoenix and BEAM in Hertford, exporting conservatoire-teaching to regional theatres. “As educators, we have a responsibility to build eco-systems around the country, not see talent drained away.”
Adam Welsh who runs the Chelmsford CertHE notes “students become immersed in a professional, creative eco-system from the get go”. Rachel McCormick who leads the CertHE in Belfast agrees. “For our students who wish to stay in Northern Ireland, it gives routes into the industry, opportunities for networking and potential performance work once they leave the course.”
There’s a growing momentum for thinking outside the London-centric box. Mountview is part of this bigger picture that sees an infusion of energy and creativity across the UK. “We aim to make a positive impact and become embedded in every location. We visit schools in order to empower young people. For some, it’s the first time they’re hearing creativity can be a valuable endeavor.”
This collaborative approach offers a mutually beneficial arrangement between students and organisations. “We support the venues. Our students exist in exciting and useful public places they become attached to. Our students bring life and energy into the buildings and get to chat to the staff who miss them over the holidays”. Carberry insists, “We are not a franchise. Whichever place you go to, it’s the same course with everyone learning the same thing at the same time and many of the people who run it are ex-Mountview themselves.”
Recruitment for the courses involves a two-stage process. First is an online submission upload, after which some will be invited back to meet the team in person. This second meeting can happen online if needed and there’s a £35 audition fee, for which help is available for those who have difficulty meeting the cost. “We’re looking for potential not tidy edges or the finished article. Of course, a level of technicality is important, the capacity to sing or whatever but we’re really looking for courage in the room; a whisper of danger – in a positive way.”
“There’s an amazing student welfare team, and all the channels are open for us to make reasonable adjustments should students have learning or physical challenges. This isn’t like the old idea of drama schools, where individuals were ‘broken down to be built up’. We don’t expect students to change their accents but expect them to take ownership. We come from a position of support and uplift and aim to remove fear and instill courage. We believe a Mountview graduate embodies our three C’s: curiosity, commitment and courage. We like our students to challenge the status quo and find their own voice.”
FACT BOX
- The CertHE (Certificate of Higher Education) courses are 2-term and full-time, offering students vocational training in either Musical Theatre or Acting.
- They are fully accredited by the University of East Anglia (UEA), and students are eligible to apply for loans through Student Finance.
- The Musical Theatre CertHE runs in London (Mountview), Manchester (Z-arts), Exeter (Exeter Phoenix), Birmingham (MAC), Chelmsford (Chelmsford Theatre), Hertford (BEAM) and Belfast (The MAC Belfast).
- The Acting CertHE runs in London, Exeter and Chelmsford.
- All locations are led by Mountview staff, as well as teaching staff from within the local creative areas.