Cicely Berry’s exercises tend to be based on resistance & rougher, physical work. One of her favorite quotes is from Thomas Kyd’s play The Spanish Tragedy: “Where words prevail not, violence prevails.”
Cicely has written & contributed to many books, articles & publications over the years & her seminal works read by all voice coaches as well as a large percentage of actors are:
Voice and the Actor (1973)
Your Voice and How to Use It
The Actor and the Text
Text in Action
Word Play: A Textual Handbook for Directors and Actors
She has also received honours & accolades over the years including:
1985 – Received OBE
1992 – Nominated for special award by Arts Council for her ‘response to the challenges posed by a technologically diverse and increasingly multi-cultural environment.’
1997 – Doctor Honoris, National Academy of Film and Theatre Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria
1999 – Honorary Doctorate of Literature from Birmingham University
2000 – The Sam Wanamaker Prize for pioneering work in theatre
2001 – Honorary Doctorate of Literature from the Open University
2009 – Berry was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.
Minou Maguna 