British Universities Film & Video Council

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Your National Theatre

Synopsis
Television documentary celebrating the opening of the National Theatre on London’s South Bank. Containing a large amount of archival material, it shows the history of the National Theatre project from the laying of the foundation stone in 1951 to the opening of the Lyttleton. Among the interviewees are Laurence Olivier (including his farewell speech to the company), Peter Hall, Denys Lasdun. Raymond Mander, Joe Mitchenson and Kenneth Tynan. There is unique film of the Olivier Theatre’s revolving ‘drum’ before its installation. Includes scenes from the last night at the Old Vic, with Peggy Ashcroft, Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud from the 1963 FAREWELL TO THE VIC. and extracts from past productions including Peter Hall’s production of The Tempest with Gielgud.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Television
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Subjects
Drama
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); National Theatre (London)

Credits

Director
Derek Bailey
Producer
Derek Bailey
Music
William Walton
Contributor
Albert Finney; Denys Lasdun; Joe Mitcheson; Kenneth Tynan; Laurence Olivier; Peggy Ashcroft; Peter Hall; Ralph Richardson; Raymond Mander
Cast
Arthur Lowe 
Denis Quilley 
John Gielgud 
Julian Orchard 

Production Company

Name

London Weekend Television

Archive

Name

BFI National Archive

Web
http://www.bfi.org.uk/archive-collections/searching-access-collections/research-viewing-services External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7255 1444
Fax
020 7436 0165
Address
21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN
View this record on the Shakespeare site for additional details

Record Stats

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