THE MOVING ACTOR WITH MATHEW WERNHAM

“Character Analysis with Mat has been one of the most valuable tools I’ve gained…. It’s given me a process that I still use for any audition or job I come up against today. It’s given me a language to deeper understand the emotional and intellectual complexities of not only my work but myself and the world around me” 
– David Itiji (Lead Actor at Shakespeare’s Globe and Harry Potter and The Cursed Child West End)

Join us for a transformative 1-day international masterclass on pure movement with (LAMDA) Movement specialist and acting teacher, Mathew Wernham.

Dive deep into the language of the body in this powerful one-day workshop. Explore how the body communicates truth, tension, and transformation through the elements of Weight, Space, Time, and Flow. Mathew brings decades of elite performance training to this immersive experience, designed to unlock ease, dynamism, and full-bodied presence.

This workshop is informed by the groundbreaking work of Yat Malmgren (Founder of the Drama Centre, London), who understood the profound connection between psychology and physical behaviour. Yat's work has influenced some of the world's most celebrated actors including Anthony Hopkins, Colin Firth, Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnon, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy and Helen McCrory.

Mathew's expertise in movement psychology and character transformation has shaped the careers of countless actors at the Drama Centre London, where he was the lead teacher of Yat's work.

This workshop is open to trained actors who have an understanding of craft and are ready to deepen it through the integration of movement psychology.

MASTERCLASS BREAKDOWN

  • Over the course of the day, participants will focus on pure movement as the foundation of expressive performance. Actors will explore dynamic principles such as Weight, Space, Time, and Flow through full-bodied, practical exploration. The work aims to cultivate physical awareness, freedom, and presence without the need for character or text. By the end of the day, actors will move with more clarity, intention, and expressive ease.

MATHEW WERNHAM

Mathew Wernham is a leading authority in character transformation and movement in the UK, serving as an acting specialist at RADA and LAMDA, and formerly at Drama Centre London. With over a decade of experience in teaching, directing, and performance, Mathew has honed his craft under the mentorship of movement masters such as Sue Lefton (Movement director, The Royal Shakespeare Company and The National Theatre) and Jane Gibson (Head of Movement, The National Theatre). Mathew is a recognized expert in historical dance, character analysis, and expressive movement, blending these disciplines to unlock the transformative potential of actors. Mathew is deeply committed to the importance of craft and the profound impact of movement on performance, empowering students to embody their characters with authenticity and depth.

YAT MALMGREN

Yat Malmgren (1916-2002) was a pioneering movement teacher and actor who developed the unique system of Character Analysis & Movement Psychology, which blends Rudolf Laban's movement theories with Carl Jung's psychological types. A former soloist dancer and collaborator with Laban, Malmgren’s work has become integral to actor training worldwide, especially through his co-founding of Drama Centre London.

His method, which focuses on the transformation of psychological states into physical expression, has influenced generations of actors including Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises, Venom), Michael Fassbender (Xmen, 12 Years a Slave), Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Morfydd Clarke (Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power) Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton) to Sean Connery (James Bond, The Untouchables) and Anthony Hopkins (Silence of The Lambs, The Father). Malmgren’s system allows actors to embody characters with depth, specificity, and authenticity.

MASTERCLASS DETAILS

  • This is a past masterclass

  • $345 (inc GST)

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