RSC actors' academy launches with King Lear

The Royal Shakespeare Company launches its new actors' academy this autumn with a production of King Lear.

The academy in Stratford upon Avon has been set up by Declan Donnellan, founder of the Cheek By Jowl Company.

Its aim is to give young drama school graduates further training in classical acting techniques.

For King Lear, which opens at the Swan Theatre in September before coming to London, Donnellan has a company of 16 drama graduates at his disposal.