This documentary explores the widely acclaimed work of Cicely Berry, Voice Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Her voice techniques are invaluable to actors and directors

who are performing classical plays in today’s theater. From rehearsals at the RSC in Stratford-on-Avon, to workshops and Master Classes in Seoul, New York, Moscow and the slums of Rio de Janeiro, her work is documented in diverse languages, producing new understanding in the power of voice, language and communications. Her influence has extended into other areas as well, including film and politics. Having coached prominent politicians on effective public speaking, Berry asserts that the political sound byte is now “destroying democratic debate.”

Ms. Berry is as much the political activist as she is an amazing humanist as she is a voice director. Whether it is working in a penitentiary or on a film set, Ms. Berry strives to help people find their authentic voice. She believes that when one has found their voice they can find their place in the world.

In documenting Ms. Berry’s work, this program explores the state of communication and regression of language in our society. As such, it has widespread applications to a broad audience of viewers with diverse interests in theater, film, politics, media and communications. Ms. Berry says it best in the introduction to her latest book, Text in Action:

“If we do not/cannot express our inner selves, how do we know what we think or what we feel? How can we have any philosophy or viewpoint? For it is in the expressing of our thoughts and intuitions that we can recognize them and deal with them – and take action. But if we cannot express these ideas and thoughts, the result can only be silent anger.”

Now more than ever, Berry’s vision for exciting people with language is antidotal to the deterioration of voice, language and communication, which is becoming increasingly prevalent the world over.

The program runs 57 minutes, was shot and finished on Digital Betacam and is mixed in stereo. Participants in the film include Adrian Noble, Andrew Wade, Edward Bond, Emily Watson, Greg Hicks, Helen Hunt, Jatinda Verma, Michael Attenborough, Neil Kinnock, Sam West, Steven Pimlott and Zoe Waites.