THIS HOUSE: An Audience Member’s Review

It’s often thrilling when we run across an audience review in the blogosphere that catches our eye and this particular one was no different…

“The play is written by the fabulously successful and surprisingly young James Graham. If new/young playwrights is your thing, I strongly advise you to go and see it. James writes with a maturity and intellect that I would assume of someone way beyond his years. Having just turned thirty, James writes about something that happened before he was even born, and I found it utterly incredible to think about the level of research he’d undertaken in order to get such a succint representation of the time.”

The author also examines what it means to be a young writer and creative in the theatrical world and makes some great insights. Thanks for the write-up! Catch This House in cinemas worldwide on 16 May.

The National receives 14 Olivier Award Nominations, ‘Curious Incident’ Leads the Way

The 2013 Olivier Award nominations were announced this morning and NT Live’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time led the pack with 8 nominations while The Audience, This House, and The Last of the Haussmans received accolades as well. Congrats to the entire NT family!

For a full list of the nominations, click here.

PEOPLE: Alan Bennett Audio Intro

NT Live broadcast yet another successful production last week and are thrilled that audiences have welcomed so warmly. Over the course of the next few weeks, venues around the globe will continue to show encore broadcasts.

For those who have yet to catch, take a listen to this audio podcast of Alan Bennett reading his introduction to the playscript of People, as well as a poem by Philip Larkin. A great complement to the viewing!

Last night’s NT Live broadcast of Alan Bennett’s People was welcomed with open arms to audiences around the world. Neighborhood cinemas were packed with record-breaking numbers in the UK and an outpouring of positive audience reviews were a plenty. See some of the comments below.

Don’t fret if you missed the live broadcast as many venues are broadcasting encore presentations. Click here for dates/times.

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“Just seen it. Fantastic play. Well done Alan Bennett for a superb script. The acting sublime especially Frances de la Tour. What a joy and a fabulous set as well” - Amanda

“Loved Linda Bassett being picked up in her chair - her performance was outstanding! NTL - what an ingenious idea - thank you for helping all us rural-folk get a taste of London theatre’s professionalism and creative genius!” - Lucy

“PST, people spoil things was my favorite line and it’s true. a wonderful evening’s entertainment, excellent cast, Great script.” - Simon

“So much sharp dialogue, but I remember “And they weren’t even Canadian!” most fondly. That astonishing set transformation is what’s stuck with me the most overnight, though…” - Martin

“I saw this at the Athens Concert Hall tonight. Brilliant writing, superb performances!” - book-of-flights

“@ntlive - Absolutely enjoyed “People” in Munich, Germany last night, 21/3. Emma looking GREAT too.” -  ‏@FrankMcLynn

“Absolutely blown away by #ntPeople at @ntlive last night. Amazing play, amazing cast, amazing set. Loved it!” -  ‏@JonMalbon

“Once again the @ntlive was fabulous - what an amazing way to get Theatre to the masses! With added popcorn!” - @alexvickerman

“@ntlive “People” was simply wonderful last Night! (and I say that as a “people” myself) Only my 4th “NT Live” but keep ‘em coming…!” - @MAW_H

“Alan Bennett’s ‘People’ is a triumph! Can highly recommend. @ntlive” -@bhwriting

“So… It seems watching live theatre in the cinema is pretty cool. Alan Bennett’s ‘People’ was magnificent. A real treat! Thanks @ntlive” - @LifeBoxTheatre

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You can buy the People playscript and program from the National Theatre Bookshop (international shipping available).

PEOPLE: Broadcast Day!

We are gearing up for today’s broadcast and are excited to share with cinemas around the globe! Cameras are being focused and mics put in place for what will be an exciting broadcast by one of Britain’s most prolific playwrights. Let us know where you’ll be watching and what you thought!

If you still have yet to grab tickets for tonight’s (and later encore) broadcasts, click here to find your closets venue

PEOPLE: Final Camera Rehearsal/PeopleFACTS

It may be raining but that hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm for the second - and final - camera rehearsal for People which is happening right now!

In the meantime, here are a couple of PeopleFACTS in preparation of tomorrow’s broadcast…

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1. People is the sixth Alan Bennett play to receive its debut at National Theatre London (the others have been The Habit of Art, The History Boys, The Madness of King George III, The Wind in the Willows and Single Spies).

2. People is the third collaboration between writer Alan Bennett, director Nicholas Hytner and actress Frances de la Tour.

3. Dorothy’s second act costumes were all based on period designs and took over 100 hours each to hand make

4. Stacpoole House’s ‘Adams Rooms’ would have been created by renowned Scottish architect Robert Adam

5. All of the old newspapers Dorothy handles were specially printed with date appropriate news

6. All of the old newspapers Dorothy handles were specially printed with appropriate news

7. It took the props department 6 weeks to find a chandelier of the right size and weight for the set

8. The set took 2 months to complete – including visits to lots of antique markets to help dress it with the Stacpoole’s possessions

9. The live broadcast will be captured by 6 cameras

THIS HOUSE: Playwright James Graham Interview via The Guardian’s Politics Weekly Podcast

This House playwright James Graham speaks with Tom Clark of The Guardian’s Politics Weekly Podcast about his play and the politics that influenced the production. Interview begins at 20:30 mark.

This House broadcasts globally via NT Live on 16 May. For tickets and venue information, click here

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The following description accompanies this Guardian podcast which appeared in the original article here. Interview starts at 20:30

“We also hear from James Graham, the writer of This House a new political drama currently taking the National Theatre by storm. Set in the whips office of the late 1970s, it examines the human qualities required of a chief whip. George Young, a whip in the early days of Margaret Thatcher’s leadership has just replaced Andrew Mitchell in that role - and was one of those Graham interviewed for the production”

THE AUDIENCE: Helen Mirren speaks with BBC about her role in Peter Morgan’s new play

BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz took a moment to sit with Helen Mirren to talk about her return to the role of Her Royal Majesty the Queen. The conversation takes us from the early reading of The Audience to her own personal politics to her BAFTA pink hair. Take a watch and visit NTLive.com for more information on the 13 June broadcast.

PEOPLE: Camera Rehearsal

Set-up is underway for our first camera rehearsal of NT Live’s broadcast of People on 21 March. How many cameras can you spot?

Mark your calendars! We have officially announced the NT live broadcast date of Shakespeare’s iconic Othello with Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear as 26 September! Tickets will be on sale shortly. For more information, visit NTLive.com