User:Kbthompson/Scratch

Origins

In 1847, a critic using the pseudonym Dramaticus published a pamphlet describing the parlous state of British theatre. Production of serious plays was restricted to the patent theatres, and new plays were subjected to censorship by the Lord Chamberlain's Office. At the same time, there was a burgeoning theatre sector driven by a diet of low melodrama and musical burlesque; but critics described British theatre as driven by commercialism and a 'star' system. There was a demand to commemorate serious theatre, with the "Shakespeare Committee" purchasing the playwright's birthplace for the nation demonstrating a recognition of the importance of 'serious drama'. The following year saw more pamphlets on a demand for a National Theatre from London publisher, Effingham William Wilson. The situation continued, with a renewed call every decade for a National Theatre, particularly around 1879 when the Comédie-Française took a residency at the Gaiety Theatre, described in The Times as representing "the highest aristocracy of the theatre". The principal demands now coalesced around: a structure in the capital that would present "exemplary theatre"; that would form a permanent memorial to Shakespeare; a supported Company that would represent the best of British acting; and a theatre school.

Some gains were made; the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre was opened in Stratford upon Avon on 23 April 1879, with the New Shakespeare Company; and Herbert Beerbohm Tree founded an Academy of Dramatic Art at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1904. This still left the capital without a National Theatre; a London Shakespeare League was founded in 1902 to develop a Shakespeare National Theatre - and with the impending tri-centenary in 1916 of his death, in 1913 purchased land for a theatre in Bloomsbury. An aspiration interrupted by World War I. Finally, in 1948, the London County Council presented a site close to the Royal Festival Hall for the purpose, and a "National Theatre Act", offering financial support, was passed by parliament in 1949.

By 1961, with a foundation stone laid, the Government declared that the nation could not afford a National Theatre – the LCC offered to waive any rent and to pay half the construction costs. Still, the Government still tried to apply unacceptable conditions, attempting to force the amalgamation of the RSC, Sadler's Wells and Old Vic companies. In July 1962, a board was set up to supervise construction and a separate board was constituted to run a National Theatre Company, and lease the Old Vic theatre. The "National Theatre Company" opened on 22 October 1963 with Hamlet. The Company was to remain at the Old Vic until 1976, when construction of the Olivier was complete.