Contemporary Theatre in Britain

Britain is one of the world's major centers for theatre and has a long and rich … tradition. Directors continue to interpret and appreciate the classical British repertoire, such as works by Shakespeare, Sheridan, Priestly, and contemporary … like Tom Stoppard and Harold Pinter uphold the standard of excellence set by their predecessors. Many English … such as Lord Oliver, Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson or Sir John Gielgud are household names all over the world.

Britain has about 300 theatres, which can seat between 200 and 2.300 people. 50 or so of these theatres house resident theater companies, which … financial support from the Arts Council established in 1946. The larger subsidized … include the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the English Stage Company and the Royal Opera House. The subsidized sector is very important because it encourages … in contemporary arts and allows experiment and risk. Later … of original and challenging work is transferred to the commercial theatres.

One of the paradoxes of the lively British … of today is that commercial theatre itself is very much in doldrums. In its report “Theatre Today” the Arts Council … a frightening drop in the number of commercial theaters. Forty years ago London had about the same … as now and with its large catchment area and growing number of foreign tourists will doubtless maintain this. But in the provinces the 130 … theatres of forty years ago dwindled … only thirty. Television … than the cinema has been the main cause. Yet side by side with this … of the commercial theater has been a rise in the number of provincial theatres subsidized by the … Council. They, with the modest involvement by the local authority, is … most of the dynamism and new ideas. To the Arts … it is a convincing illustration of the merits of public subsidy as a fertilizer.

London's West End … an important role in drama in Britain and … to its success. There are about 50 theatres in the relatively small area of the West End with a few larger theatres in surrounding areas that include the Barbican Theatre, the Old Vic, the Open Air Theatre and the reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the … of the Thames. Artistically and professionally the West End still dominates as the proving ground for…, … and playwrights. … that start in provincial theaters are seen to have 'made if if they come to London's West End.

Theatergoers in Britain are fortunate in having … to excellent regional repertory companies. Regional stage companies with major reputations include the Crucible, Sheffield; Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow; the Nottingham Playhouse. They … about eight to ten productions a year, both classical and … plays. They also put on plays that have had a long … in London and receive touring performances from the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and other national touring performances.

There is also a rich vein of experimental and avant-garde theatre. There is mime and physical theatre, theatre for young people, street theatre, community theatre and drama that specifically … the cultures of ethnic minorities. In every town and village, amateur dramatic groups gather to perform plays, pantomimes, musicals, and community shows. There are more than 6,000 amateur dramatic societies in England only. There are … societies in many universities and colleges.

Many professional actors work in small-scale groups within the … of the Independent Theatre Council the aim of which is to bring drama into the community. Inventive and committed to art, ITC … take their productions to the remote communities; they also work at a local level in schools, housing estates and … theatre skills workshops.

This is where the … function of theatre is revealed. For example, Pimlico Opera has developed a program of production in prisons. Inmates, prison officers and professional singers collaborate in various musical productions, and … are open to public. There is also a distinct and successful movement in theatre for people with disabilities. Strathcona Theatre Company, for example, is a national touring company that … original physical theatre pieces of great artistic ….

Britain has won international … as the place to train in all theatrical disciplines. … for actors, directors, lightning and … technicians is provided in drama schools. … the most important are the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Central School for Speech and Drama, the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Many British … who have become famous on the international movie circuit seldom retire from the …, where their earlier careers were…, but continue to enjoy live … audience.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-31