… T E S T I M O N I A L S …
… F I L M P R O D U C E R ...
Clayton Townsend, Producer
Richard’s work with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly on their RP accents for a production of mine recently, was excellent. Richard has a great awareness of the individual actor’s needs and how to get the best from them in a kind, friendly, warm and very supportive way. He also makes sure he supports the vision required by us producers in getting the results we require for the overall soundscape of the film. Not only did he support them on their accent but also gave clear supportive voice notes regarding the character development and authenticity. I look forward to the next time we work together.
… F I L M D I R E C T O R ...
Andy Goddard, Director/Writer: Set Fire to the Stars; Six Minutes to Midnight
Basing the Fifties New York narrative of my first feature film in Swansea presented obvious obstacles, not least credibly preserving the North American voice of a dialogue heavy script with a largely British cast of actors. Richard Ryder’s expertise in coaching the ensemble through the nuance of post war American dialect – from Connecticut to NYC – was key in lending the film its authenticity; its sense of time and place. Richard’s diligence and patience on set, together with a forensic ear for phonetic detail, is as much a storytelling tool for a director as camera or wardrobe. The revelation that Set Fire to the Starswas actually filmed in Wales is very much testament to the stellar vocal coaching Richard did with our actors.
I was gratified to repeat the experience with him on Six Minutes to Midnight where I called upon Richard to guide our cast in steering the 1930s voice of pre-war England. This was principal for story and, again, Richard’s unflagging work became a valued asset in the world building of our narrative.
… T H E A T R E D I R E C T O R …
Nicholas Hytner, Artistic Director, Bridge Theatre, London (former Artistic Director of National Theatre, London)
I’ve worked often with Richard Ryder. His expertise as a voice and accent coach is second to none and he’s a wonderful, sympathetic collaborator who is sensitive to the needs of actors, directors and writers. He’s a terrific colleague and a master of his craft.
Indhu Rubasingham, Artistic Director, Kiln Theatre, London
Richard Ryder is a collaborator I have worked with many times, because he is specific, clear and understands actors. He is someone I trust and knows how to release the potential of the actor and how to help them and me to realise the vision of the piece.
Dominic Shaw, Theatre Director
Richard’s wonderful work with us on Kinky Boots elevated the production to the highest level of authenticity. He blends voice and dialect work seamlessly, with so much dedication and passion to the craft and, in my experience, has proved to be an invaluable asset in the actors’ process. I particularly love his physical approach to voice & character work.
Sam Yates, Theatre Director
Richard Ryder is a close collaborator from the early steps of building a role. Actors feel supported and secure under his guidance, where he takes a holistic approach to accent, voice and character in order to assist in detailed and truthful performance. His research into more remote and specific accents is often dazzling and all to the benefit of the work.
… O P E R A D I R E C T O R ...
John Fulljames, Director of Street Scene, Teatro Real, Madrid. (Director of Opera at the Royal Danish Theatre)
Working with Richard was a joy. He brought his immense technical skill into the rehearsals, and worked closely with the actors to build their confidence and so their characters. He was a brilliant collaborator as a member of the creative team and an outstanding nurturer of the cast.
Lucy Bradley, Director of Street Scene (Köln, Monte Carlo, Sydney)
Richard Ryder is a voice and accent coach of considerable talent. During our time working together, he has consistently demonstrated incredible patience and attention to detail when working with the complicated accent and voice demands of our show. His presence in a rehearsal room is incredibly positive and he remains calm, detailed and open throughout. He has the tremendous ability to connect with performers, to assess and cater his approach to the needs of each individual, and to ensure that each person he works with has the tools and support to flourish in their vocal performance. Richard was a huge asset to our show and core team; I cannot praise him highly enough.
… P E R F O R M E R …
Mark Benton, Actor
Richard worked with me on a Chicago accent for Glengarry Glen Ross. He was very knowledgeable and easy to work with. He gave great notes and was always very sympathetic to the accent in conjunction with the creation of the character. He was a very positive presence in the rehearsal room and I would have no hesitation in recommending him to anybody.
Noma Dumezweni, Actor
I had the pleasure of working with Richard Ryder on my voice in three different plays over the years and I look forward to when we next do. Highly recommend your time and work with him.
Tamsin Greig, Actor
Richard Ryder worked with me to develop a New Yorker American accent in a Tony Kushner play, and an East Midlands accent in a James Graham play. He is collaborative, practical, detailed, flexible, deeply encouraging and an excellent teacher. He possesses great ears and great techniques, a dynamite combination.
Sheila Hancock, Actor
Whenever I need to do an accent in a part I turn to Richard. He is not only a good teacher but a wonderful calming presence.
Alex Jennings, Actor
I worked with Richard Ryder when I played Alan Bennett, on stage and on film. He is meticulous, detailed, sensitive, and incredibly knowledgeable – all of which gave me the support and confidence I needed on this very specific project. Quite simply, I couldn’t have done it without him. Richard is the perfect colleague when you are feeling exposed and insecure!
Lucy Schaufer, Opera singer and Producer
Richard’s skill was to observe what I needed and provide options in how to achieve my best performance. He knew how to support from the fine tuning of a vowel to the over all arc of characterisation. I relied upon his eyes and ears, and was grateful for his warm collegial support.
Claire Skinner, Actor
I wholeheartedly recommend Richard as both a voice teacher and dialect coach. His approach is very warm relaxed and detailed and he has a brilliant way of getting you to visualise where particular sounds live and how to re-create them. Richard has given me a lot of confidence in my own voice.
Geoffrey Streetfeild, Actor
On ‘Cell Mates’, Richard made a complex and daunting vocal/accent challenge a great joy. His generous, calm and supportive manner was allied to a forensic ear. He never overloaded me with notes but instead located the central, specific things for me to focus on that would unlock the part. His work was very detailed and always felt in harmony with the wider needs of the part, the play and the production. I cannot recommend him and his work highly enough.
… R E V I E W S …
A TASTE OF HONEY. Lyttleton Theatre, National Theatre, London 2014
“The dialect coach Richard Ryder, has coaxed some lovely Lancashire accents out of the cast, and at times Delaney’s ear for phrasing is a pleasure.”
Christopher Hart, The Sunday Times
PORT. Lyttleton Theatre, National Theatre, London 2013
“For me, special credit goes to the play’s dialect coach, who managed to conjure the voices and inflections that surrounded me in my growing years.”
Joan Bakewell, The Telegraph
HOME. The Shed, National Theatre, London 2013
“Thomas adds vulnerability to both roles and manages to capture the speech patterns of both accents, under the training of dialect coach Richard Ryder, which adds authenticity.”
Rebecca Gordon, The Stage
MIXED MARRIAGE. Finborough Theatre, London 2012
“The dialogue is beautifully observed. The Belfast dialect has rarely sounded so wonderful, with the word ‘quare’ imaginatively worked in to almost every sentence.”
Nicholas Hamilton, The Stage
ROAD TO MECCA. Arcola Theatre, London 2012
“Bassett is outstanding, immaculately- accented…”
Andrzej Lukowski, Time Out
OTHELLO. Creation Theatre Company, Oxford 2011
“But, doubtless helped by Richard Ryder’s textual input, there’s always sense to the performances, with the line of meaning clear.”