Video Resources
Free Videos
These three 20 minute videos were filmed during the UK Covid‑19 lockdown in 2020 as part of an actor training programme at The Actor Rebellion, funded by Arts Council England. Feel free to use this in lessons or rehearsals. We also have extended student and teacher CPD video packs available to purchase, on commedia dell’arte, expressionism and set texts.
An Introduction: Commedia dell’Arte
A practical demonstration of the key characters of the commedia dell’arte. A great way to bring the form to life and connect students to the scale and energy required.
An introduction: Expressionist Theatre
Practical exercises to begin to explore Expressionist style performance, useful for the study of Berkoff, Machinal or Woyzek and for ways into devising physically.
An Introduction: The Four Temperaments
Exploring the masks of the Four Temperaments (also known as the Four Humors: Sanguine, Melancholic, Choleric and Phlegmatic). Great for character work and physicalising elemental qualities.
Jump to –
You can purchase a licence to access any of these video study packs. Click on the link to find out more details and purchase. They feature short videos that are ideal resources to support your teaching or for student revision. The Toolkit Videos are designed for teachers and are recordings of previous CPD sessions.
You can purchase a Licence to View and gain access for 12 months.
Once payment has been received, you will receive an email within 24 hours with your licence and passwords to access the videos you have chosen to view. Reductions are available for multiple purchases. Please note this is a human process, so it will be quick, but not instantaneous, so please bear with us!
Video Packs
“Cheryl is incredibly knowledgeable and skilful. Her session on Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Commedia was fantastic and I would highly recommend the company, for both staff and students.”
Video Collection A:
‘A Servant to Two Masters’
Characterisation Guides
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This is a series of nine videos providing commedia dell'arte characterisation guidance for Carlo Goldoni's 'A Servant to Two Masters' ideal for A-Level study of this text. This material is intended for educational purposes to support teachers and students worldwide in all forms of theatrical studies. Click the image above to watch a trailer.
An Introduction (duration 1:34)
Truffaldino (duration 5:01)
Smeraldina (duration 3:37)
Brighella (duration 3:11)
Zanni Porters & Waiters (duration 3:27)
Pantaloon (duration 4:04)
Doctor Lombardi (duration 3:35)
First Lovers (Beatrice and Florindo) (duration 6:16)
Second Lovers (Clarice and Silvio) (duration 5:24)
Get Access for 12 months:
£30
You will receive access within 24 hours. Sending you access to the licence to access the video collections is currently a human process, so it will not be instantaneous. Please bear with us. We’ll be as quick as we can!
“A fantastic introduction to the world of Commedia and the characters of A Servant to Two Masters. Highly enjoyable for the students. ”
Video Collection B1:
‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’
History & Characters
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This is a series of thirteen videos providing historical context, characterisation guidance, and guidance on useful commedia dell'arte parallels that can be used in rehearsal for Dario Fo’s 'Accidental Death of an Anarchist'. This is ideal for A-Level study of this text giving students a wealth of material to use in their writing. This material is intended for educational purposes to support teachers and students worldwide in all forms of theatrical studies. Click the image above to watch a trailer.
Historical Context (duration 9:35)
Introduction to Commedia dell’Arte characters (0:46)
The Maniac - Character in context (duration 7:09)
Arlecchino - Commedia character (duration 7:16)
Zanni - Commedia character (duration 5:13)
The Constable - Character in context (duration 4:00)
Brighella - Commedia character (duration 3:52)
Superintendent - Character in context (duration 7:22)
Il Capitano - Commedia character (duration 4:32)
Inspector Pissani - Character in context (duration 7:36)
Pantalone - Commedia character (duration 4:44)
Inspector Bertozzo - Character in context (duration 8:18)
Feletti - Character in context (duration 2:52)
Get Access for 12 months:
£40
Pair this collection with the Comic Devices video series:
£55 for both collections
You will receive access within 24 hours. Sending you access to the licence to access the video collections is currently a human process, so it will not be instantaneous. Please bear with us. We’ll be as quick as we can!
“This is essential for A level students studying Accidental Death of an Anarchist or anyone studying Commedia – Cheryl’s knowledge is impeccable. I cannot thank her enough for the understanding she has given my students! ”
Video Collection B2:
‘Accidental Death of an Anarchist’
Comic Devices
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This is a series of six videos demonstrating key techniques that can be used to create comedy. This collection makes specific reference to 'Accidental Death of an Anarchist' but the videos can be used for any teaching, training or studying of comedy. Ideal for providing vocabulary and ideas for A-Level writing. This material is intended for educational purposes to support teachers and students worldwide in all forms of theatrical studies. Click the image above to watch a trailer.
Tension States (duration 3:09)
Slapstick (3:31)
The Double Take (duration 2:13)
Comic Timing & Clocking the Audience (duration 6:57)
Rhythms & The Grotesque (duration 6:49)
Lazzi & Grammelot (duration 5:42)
Get Access for 12 months:
£20
Pair this collection with the Character video collection:
£55 for both collections
You will receive access within 24 hours. Sending you access to the licence to access the video collections is currently a human process, so it will not be instantaneous. Please bear with us. We’ll be as quick as we can!
“I have done a lot of online CPD and this was head and shoulders above the rest - fun, practical, academic and so useful. I would snap up future training with Learning Through Theatre. ”
Video Collection C:
Puppetry Video Toolkit
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This video toolkit provides guidance for making and performing puppets – from animating found objects to bunraku-style puppetry. Ideal to support teaching and learning whether you are a teacher, a student, a designer, a performer or just interested in learning a new skill! This toolkit includes:
Four hours of practical video instruction (a recording of a live workshop)
A detailed workpack with the history of bunraku puppets and a guide to making and performing with puppets.
Get Access for 12 months:
£25
You will receive access within 24 hours. Sending you access to the licence to access the video collections is currently a human process, so it will not be instantaneous. Please bear with us. We’ll be as quick as we can!
“Cheryl’s session was fully engaging and covered exactly what I was after - looking forward to sharing her wisdom with my A-Level Theatre Studies students.”
Video Collection D:
Berkoff Video Toolkit
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This video toolkit provides teacher professional development in Steven Berkoff’s Expressionist style of theatre. ideal for teaching Metamorphosis, The Trial or for practitioner study. This collection includes:
4.5 hours of pre-recorded online CPD
a detailed PowerPoint for your use in class
an extensive resource pack detailing the exercises carried out in the videos.
Get Access for 12 months:
£30
You will receive access within 24 hours. Sending you access to the licence to access the video collections is currently a human process, so it will not be instantaneous. Please bear with us. We’ll be as quick as we can!