British Drama

Britain is one of the world’s major centres for theatre, and has a long and rich dramatic tradition. There are many companies based in London and other cities and towns, as well as numerous touring companies which visit theatres, festivals and other venues, including arts and sports centres and social clubs. There are 66 companies in receipt of subsidies from the Arts Council.

Contemporary British playwrights who have received international recognition include: Harold Pinter - The Caretaker, The Homecoming; Tom Stoppard — Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Jumper; Caryl Churchill — Serious Money, Top Girls; and Peter Shaffer — Equus, Amadeus.

The musicals of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber have been highly successful in Britain and overseas; well known examples include Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Cats.

Among the best-known directors are Sir Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn, Jonathan Miller, Terry Hands, while the many British performers who enjoy international reputations include Sir John Gielgud, Sir Alec Guinness, Vanessa Redgrave, Sir Ian McKellen, Derek Jacobi, Albert Finney, Dame Judi Dench, Brian Cox, Dame Maggie Smith.

Britain has about 300 theatres intended for professional use which can seat between 200 and 2, 300 people. Some are privately owned, but most are owned either municipally or by non-profit-distributing organizations. In summer there are also open air theatres, including one in London’s Regent’s Park and the Minack Theatre, which is on an open cliffside near Land’s End in Cornwall.

Fifteen of many London’s theatres are permanently occupied by subsidized companies. These include: the Royal National Theatre, which stages a wide choice of modern and classical plays; the Royal Shakespeare Company, which presents plays mainly by Shakespeare and his contemporaries as well as some modern works; the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square, London, which stages the works of many talented new playwrights.

Most theatres are commercially run and self-financing, relying on popular shows and musicals to be profitable. By contrast there is the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Central School of Speech and Drama, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and the Drama Centre (all in London); the Bristol Old Vic School, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (Glasgow) and the Welsh College of Music and Drama (Cardiff). Theatre design courses, often based in art schools, are available for people wanting to train as stage designers. A number of universities and colleges offer degree courses in drama.