A former East End drama teacher turned theatre director is taking over the UK’s oldest drama school, which counts Benedict Cumberbatch among its former students.
Sarah Frankcom will join the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Lamda) in November after five years running the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.
She has also worked at South London’s Oval House and the National Theatre Studio.
Cumberbatch, Lamda’s president, said Frankcom’s appointment was “a very exciting next chapter”. He added that she had “a passion for finding the best talent from whatever background and increasing diversity on stage and screen”.
Lamda, founded in 1861, moved two years ago to a £28.2 million new building in Hammersmith with 10 rehearsal rooms. Ex-students also include Ruth Wilson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rory Kinnear, Rose Leslie, David Oyelowo and Katherine Parkinson.
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