THE QUEEN VISITS THE NATIONAL THEATRE TO CELEBRATE 50th ANNIVERSARY
Arena
Gazette
On the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre, the Queen visits to pay tribute
To mark the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre, the Queen visited the iconic building on the South Bank to pay tribute. During the visit, the Queen and Prince Philip were given a tour by outgoing director Sir Nicholas Hytner.
After a series of false starts and conflict surrounding the building of a new National Theatre on London's South Bank, the theatre finally opened its doors to the public in 1976. The Queen officially opened the building, before settling down to watch a performance of Goldoni's comedy Il Campiello accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.Β The opening night saw Sir Laurence Olivier give a speech in the Olivier Theatre - this was the first and last time he stepped foot in the theatre that had been named after him, after Peter Hall took over from him as Director of the National Theatre. As part of the birthday celebrations, Arena has charted the history of this iconic insitution in 'Arena: The National Theatre' - first transmitted on Thursday 24th October 2013.
(This clip is fresh off the press as it still features the director's guide commentary)
The Queen opens the National Theatre after a series of false starts in 1976
Β Arena: The National Theatre (2013) - Directed by Adam Low, Produced by Martin Rosenbaum and David Sabel, Series Editor - Anthony Wall