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Theatre of Great Britain

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Theatre in Great Britain
The centre of theatrical activity in Britain is London. There are some 48 principal theatres in or near the West End and some 8 in the suburbs. Most of the theatres are let to producing managements on a commercial basis but some are occupied by important subsided companies, including the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Companies.
The former stages classical and modem plays from all countries; the latter presents Shakespearean plays in Stratford-upon-Avon and a mixed repertoire in London. Many non-repertoire theatres outside London present all kinds of drama and many also put on variety shows and other entertainment. Music in all its forms — pop music, folk music, jazz, light music and brass bands — plays an important role in British cultural life.
The widespread interest in classical music is reflected in the large audiences at orchestral concerts and at performances of opera, ballet and chamber music. Regular seasons of opera and ballet are given at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. Seasons of opera and operetta in English are given by the English National Opera.
There are several thousands of amateur dramatic societies in Britain (some 200 amateur youth theatres among them). Most Universities have active amateur drama clubs and societies.
Until reccently the history of the english theatre has been buildaround actors rather then companies. It was hard to find any Londontheatre that even had a consistent policy. There is no permanent staffin British theatres. A play is rehearsed for a few weeks by a company ofactors working together mostly for the first time and it is allowed torun as long as it draws the odious and pays it's way.
Another peculiarity of the theatres in Great Britain is as follows:there are two kinds of seats, which can be booked in advance(bookable), and unbookable ones have no numbers and the spectatorsoccupy them on the principle: first come - first served. In ancienttimes plays were acted inside churches and later on the market places.
The first theatre in England "The Blackfries" was built in 1576, and "TheGlobe", which is closely connected with WilliamShakespeare, was built in 1599. Speaking about our times we should first of all mention"The English National theatre","The Royal Shakespeare company" and"Covent Garden".
"Covent Garden" used to be a fashionable promenade - it was, beforethen, a convent garden - but when it became overrun with flower-sellers,orange-vendors and vegetable-growers, the people moved to more exclusivesurroundings farther west, such as "St. Jame's Square".
The first "Covent Garden theatre" was built in 1732. It was burntdown in 1808 and rebuilt exactly a year after. It opened in September1809, with Shakespeare's "Macbeth". Since the middle of the last century"Covent Garden" became exclusively devoted to opera.
Now "Covent Garden" is busier than ever, it is one of the fewwell-known opera houses open for 11 months of the year and it employsover 600 people from both the Opera company and the Royal Ballet.
Britain has a long and rich dramatic tradition. The two national companies, the National itself which stages modern and classical plays and the Royal Shakespeare company! which is performing in Stratford-upon-Avon, and in London. British theatre has become more cosmopolitan in outlook, with the World Theatre seasons that started at the Aldwych in London in 1964, and more receptive to influences from abroad. The whole image of the British theatre has changed of late. It's more respectable, less tied to commercial considerations and more ambitious. Contemporary British playwrights who have received recognition at home and overseas include Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard and some others. Considerable interest is shown at present for the professional arts festivals which take place each year. The Edinburgh International Festival featuring a wide range of different arts, is the largest of its kind in the world.
Britain is one of the world’s major cementers for theatre, and has a long and rich dramatic tradition. There are many companies situated in London and other cities and towns. There are 48 main theatres near the West End and some 8 in the suburban part of the city. Most of the theatres are let to producing managements on a commercial basis but some are occupied by important subsided companies, including the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Companies. The first theatre in England "The Blackfries was built in 1576, and "The Globe"(1599), which is closely connected with the name of William Shakespeare. Other famous theatres are: "The English National theatre,"The Royal Shakespeare Company" and "Covent Garden". "Covent Garden" used to be a fashionable promenade - it was, before then, a convent garden - but when it became overrun with flower-sellers, orange-vendors and vegetable-growers, the people moved to more exclusive surroundings farther west, such as "St. James’s Square». The first "Covent Garden theatre" was built in 1732. It was burnt down in 1808 and rebuilds exactly a year after. It opened in September 1809, with Shakespeare's "Macbeth". Since the middle of the last century "Covent Garden" became exclusively devoted to opera. The discoveries and success of British theatres today can be attributed to the creative assimilation of the experience and triumphs of preceding generations. Contemporary British playwrights who have received international recognition are: Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, aryl Churchill and Peter Schaffer. The interest in classical music is reflected in the large audiences at orchestral concerts and at performances of opera, ballet and chamber music. Regular seasons of opera and ballet are given at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and London. Seasons of opera and operetta in English are given by the English National Opera. There are several thousands of amateur dramatic societies in Britain (some 200 amateur youth theatres among them). Most Universities have active amateur drama clubs and societies. Theatre courses often based in art schools are available for people. A number of universities and colleges offer courses in drama. Until recently the history of the english theatre has been built around actors rather than companies. It has been hard to find any London theatre that even had a consistent policy. There is no permanent staff in British theatres. Apply is rehearsed for a few weeks by a company of actors working together mostly for the first time and it is allowed to run as long as it draws the odious and pays its way. weeks by a company of actors working together mostly for the first time and it is allowed to run as long as it draws the odious and pays its way.

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