BUDDING thespians will have the opportunity to learn a range of back-stage and on-stage skills during a new summer series of theatre workshops being held at Malvern Theatres between July 29 and August 1.

The first, improvisation and text-based drama, will enable students to develop a variety of personae, progressing through game and role-play to improvisation and rehearsals to performance.

Historical dance will offer the chance to develop skills for capturing authentic dance movement and break down the routines from films like Shakespeare in Love and Elizabeth.

Costume design offers the chance to learn ways of creating costumes for characters from a short play or fairy tale, while the fourth workshop will explore the techniques of stage fighting and special effects, using swords, shields and other props as well as hand-to-hand combat, punching and kicking.

Budding theatre artists, who want to learn more about set design, can do so during a set design workshop focusing on the practice and process behind the backdrops and layouts.

Donmar Warehouse director Josie Rourke will lead an insight into the techniques and ideas of directing in text-based directing.

Individual workshops are £10 or four for £30. They are open to anyone. For more information call the Malvern Theatres on 01684 892277.