Cripplegate Ward Club Established in 1878
The Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Contained entirely within the Ward of Cripplegate, is the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GSMD). It's an internationally famous school for the performing arts and counts a great many household names amongst its alumni. In music, you can include James Galway, Sir George Martin, Anne Sofie von Otter, and Bryn Terfel. In acting, famous ex-students have included Orlando Bloom, Daniel Craig,Simon Russell Beale, Ewan MacGregor and Dominic West.
The School offers a varied range of performance events that can be attended by the general public. This not only provides valuable funding for the school, but also gives students an opportunity to practice their skills on a 'live' stage in front of a paying audience.
The School is now spread across two buildings. The original site in Silk Street (picture above) is an integral part of the Barbican, the other location is called 'Milton Court' and exists just a bit further down the road in 'The Heron', a new tower block built on the site of the old Barbican Fire Station.
Milton Court is a stunning new development costing around £90million and having World Class performance, rehearsal and hospitality facilities that are second to none.
Click on the links below to discover more about the GSMD and get full details on the school and its activities.