The Road to the National Theatre
As the National Theatre approaches its 50th anniversary, James Naughtie sets out to discover why founding it took so long and what was learned along the way
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Supporting Content
Upcoming Programmes on the National Theatre
On Radio 4 Extra:
Saturday 19 October
The National Theatre at 50Ìý
9.00am–12.00pm (rpt 7.00pm – 10.00pm)
Daniel Rosenthal conjures up stories and scenes from five decades of a unique national institution, featuring big names, songs from the shows and secrets from behind the scenes.
Sunday 20 OctoberThe National Theatre at 50: The Nativity Ìý
11.00am – 12.00pm (rpt 7.00 – 8.00pm)
Another chance to hear The Nativity from Bill Bryden's Royal National Theatre production of The Mysteries, based on the medieval plays of York, Wakefield and Chester, in a version by Tony Harrison.
The National Theatre at 50: Elmina's Kitchen
8.00pmÌý –Ìý 9.30pm
First performed at the National Theatre in 2003 the play won its author Kwame Kwei-Armah the Evening Standard Drama Awards Most Promising Playwright award.ÌýÌý
Ex-boxer Deli runs a cafe in Hackney. Keeping his son safe, his business alive and staying out of trouble is a full-time job in East London's notorious Murder Mile.
Monday 21 OctoberThe National Theatre at 50:Ìý The Third Soldier Holds His Thigh
7.00pm – 8.00pm
In 1982 Mary Whitehouse brought a prosecution against Michael Bogdanov, director of the National Theatre, over the production of Howard Brenton’s The Romans in Britain, which included a simulated male rape. In Mark Lawson’s documentary drama about the case actors Peter Sproule and Greg Hicks play themselves, with Eleanor Bron as Mrs Mary Whitehouse and Simon Callow as Peter Hall.
Monday 21 October – Friday 25 OctoberThe National Theatre at 50:Ìý The Passion Play 1/5
2.30 – 2.45pmÌý
Retold in five 15 minute episodes, this is Bill Bryden’s radio version of his National Theatre production of The Passion adapted from the medieval Mystery plays of York, Wakefield and Chesterfield and written by Tony Harrison.
Saturday 26 OctoberThe History Boys
7.00pm - 9.30pm
Sunday 27 OctoberAmadeus
7.00pm - 9:15pm
Sunday 3 November±Ê°ù²¹±¹»å²¹Ìý
7.00pm - 9.00pmÌý
On ´óÏó´«Ã½4:
Thursday 24 OctoberArena National Theatre
Ìý
Thursday 31 October
Arena National Theatre
Ìý
On ´óÏó´«Ã½2:
Saturday 2 NovemberNational Theatre Live Event