Autumn Newsletter 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of the newsletter. Hello to all new subscribers!
This is a great opportunity to get helpful info and tips to keep your voice, or your loved one’s voice, in good shape - ready for the role! Also to keep you in the loop of exciting projects and future courses.
I’d like to start with a huge thank you to all our students, clients and companies. The constant dedication and commitment to the training is truly wonderful and the talent we see in your jobs, roles, projects and presentations is impressive.
This year so far we have seen our lovely Eve Ridley co-starring in Supergirl the movie. We have lots of Stagebox students in various west end roles like Matilda, Oliver and Paddington, to name a few. As always there is the constant flow of auditions and industry work coming through our doors which has been keeping us all very busy. The volume of dialect work has grown exponentially.
Also, I’m pleased to announce that my client John Cassidy has successfully published his second book. This one is a collection of poetry about cars called ‘A Poet in a Car Showroom’. This was featured in Classic Car Weekly magazine last week with rave reviews. John regularly performs his poetry and is now working on his next anthology.
Put your patter into practice with poetry! Tongue twister!
John has kindly given permission to include one of his poems that I would recommend using for articulation and speech practice. The message here is so relevant to many voice users due to the voice related content. I found it particularly moving and relevant:
I Have Spoken
I Have Spoken – my heartfelt desire,
once hidden, now rising as if set on fire.
Broken dreams, once whispered with delight.
In the stillness of dusk,
where day fades into night.
I have spoken – my spirit arrives.
Divided parts mending as I come alive.
Gathered together, I would not forsake.
My heart rising now - it can no longer wait.
I have spoken – seared, yet standing with scars.
Each cut a measure of just how far.
I stand on my word, a witness of truth.
A child’s pillow paid for by the fairy’s tooth.
I have spoken – my life now sustains.
In deep hidden fissures, only love remains.
Reunified, I stand dignified.
A voice once held – now amplified.
I have spoken - in stillness I rise.
Through every stumble, I now realise.
I turn the darkness steadily into light.
Shadows retreat from brilliance to bright.
I have spoken – I wait and see.
Life’s long voyage moulding the heart in me.
Through the prism’s slit bright rainbows appear.
A magnum opus born where love draws near.
For in speaking I found my right.
I am not lessened, nor fading from sight.
Ashes beneath me – transformation is awoken.
I stand now proudly – magnificently spoken!
Practice reading aloud for fluency and confidence. Get used to releasing your voice into space and consider the movements of the mouth to find better diction and clarity.
Words from Japan!
A cherished client of mine, Tomoko from Japan has shared some seasonal Haikus which I absolutely adore. Take a look at these mini vocal workouts below.
Japanese Haikus - Exercise!
Test your vocal skills by delivering these Haiku lines in numerous ways. You can alter your pitch, pace, pause and power to create a different version with enhanced meaning. Watch your breath and word endings too!
長月の空色袷きたりけり
(nagatsuki no sorairoawase kitarikeri)
Late September is
wearing a sky-coloured
lined kimono
By Kobayashi Issa | Translation by Zoria P.K.
柿くへば鐘が鳴るなり法隆寺
(kaki kueba kane ga naru nari Horyuji)
biting into a persimmon
a bell resounds
Horyuji
By Masaoka Shiki | Translation from Matsuyama Municipal Shiki-Kinen
News!
As Head of Dialect at Stagebox the new term brings more fresh-faced talent from around the world into our studios. We now have a team of 14 dialect coaches.
This summer I travelled around the country and Ireland on the audition tour. It was humbling to see so much talent.
I lead the Dialect Masterclass for Stagebox at Sadler’s Wells East on 12th and 13th September. This was a full 2 days of General American muscularity for good articulation and pronunciation.
In November I will be hosting a boot camp on articulation online on 23rd October at 5pm.
Also in November I will be leading workshops in General American and RP accents at Copper Studios.
Tip of the season – Book Recommendation!
As a complete fan of Miriam Margolyes I am delighted to recommend this book to all my adult followers and subscribers. This is Miriam’s 3rd book but what struck me about this one is that it has a whole chapter dedicated to accents and the voice. Now as you know Miriam is an excellent voice actress and has voiced numerous high profile voice overs, ad campaigns, BBC radio dramas as well as having a thriving theatre, film and TV career. In this book she delves into all aspects of British culture and isn’t afraid to be brutally honest, that’s why I love her! The section on voice is particularly interesting as she demonstrates her incredible vocal versatility as well as depicting the rich tapestry of accents and dialects across the country.
Word of warning though, this book is not for the faint hearted as Miriam can be foul mouthed and sexually explicit
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