John Gould (Director & Tutor)

Hi I'm John Gould, a professional Actor and Acting Tutor. I graduated with a BA Honours in Acting at Bretton Hall Drama School. I've since trained at The Actors Guild, Actor In Session, Translantic Films, The International School of Screen Acting and The Actors Studio at Pinewood Studios.

I've been fortunate to work on National and International Theatre Tours and in West End Theatre. I've also worked on commercials, Independent Films, Short films and Viral Videos. I've cast for Short Film Festival Entries and Assistant directed for Short Films. Recently I was first AD for Feature Film Trailer called ENIAC for Silent Shout Studios. I've also had the opportunity to work with Jay Shetty; and our collaborations have reached 400 Million Facebook Views and thousands of YouTube Views.

I'm very passionate about teaching, I've been teaching as long as I've been acting. Three years ago I set up my own acting classes and I'm now very excited to be teaching at The Actor's Cafe. I believe that The Actor's Cafe has a great future for all involved, I look forward to meeting you.

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​​​Abigail Boyd​ (Tutor)

Hi there, I’m Abigail. I studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and after graduating I worked as an actress for 10 years. During that time I worked with Andre Previn and the LSO in Streetcar Named Desire at The Barbican. I produced and starred in Permission to Play at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Mark Anthony in a UK tour of Julius Caesar, and Kazumi in Halcyon Days at the Riverside Studios.

​After 10 years as an actress I set up my own production company called Smoulder Productions and developed a TV series called The Smoke, which was then commissioned by ITV. I also produced a Promo with Danny Dyer, James Redmond, Lex Shrapnel and Dominic Power and played one of the lead characters in the show. I've worked with BAFTA award winning producer Nick Pitt on The Smoke and I'm now currently producing a feature film called Be My Enemy with him.

I have loved teaching LAMDA exams, which I've taught for 8 years. I completed all of the grades and medals myself, so I know what to expect and how to coach people through them. I also bring to my classes my knowledge from being taught by renowned voice and acting coach Patsy Rodenburg. I’m very thrilled to be a part of the Actor's Café and look forward to working with you.
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Simon Furness-Gibbon
​(Visiting Tutor)

I am very happy to be assisting John Gould at the Actors Cafe as a guest tutor. I am an actor and teacher and have acted professionally across all media (theatre, film, television, voiceover, animation) since 1989 when I graduated from Oxford University and the Guildford School of Acting. I have also worked as an acting teacher and coach since 1999, having studied for two years under a former direct student of legendary actor and teacher Sanford Meisner. I am currently the senior instructor at the Actors Temple (www.actorstemple.com), one of the UK's leading actor-led production and training communities with a training emphasis on the pioneering approach to acting developed by Sanford Meisner.


My website where further details about me as an actor and teacher can be found is www.simonfurness.co.uk. I offer one to one or group sessions and can assist with all acting-related enquiries including script analysis and audition preparation for drama school or professional projects.