Rada teaches how to act the part in the City

A POWER suit, killer heels and a brave face were once the go-to armour for women trying to get ahead in maledominated careers.

But now experts claim appearances may fail to help them up the ladder if they don’t know how to act in the office.

The UK’S most famous drama school has launched courses that teach women not just how to dress, but how to perform in order to beat men to jobs in the City.

For the first time The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) is inviting female graduates applying for their first jobs in law, finance and consultancy to take part in £625-a-day sessions specifically designed to teach them actors’ performance techniques, which they can use to get ahead at work.

The classes are based on the principle that how people hold their bodies affects their voice. A recent report identified vast pay gaps between men and women in City careers. Liz Barber, client

director at Rada in Business, said: “Many women entering sectors like consultancy, financial services and law, are suddenly finding themselves in a very hierarchical environment.

“When they arrive they will be keen to show off their technical prowess, but quite often they haven’t been taught about how to hold themselves and make their voices heard. Our courses are trying to give women the skills they need to empower themselves.”