In the second of the three proposals I am currently working on, I am working towards designing a centre for the develpment of National Theatre. The idea is that three perfomance groups or individuals will come to London for one month and, working with professionals from the Existing NT, develop their piece.
The centre will not be a theatre. It will be a place where performances are discussed, analysed, rehearsed and made stronger. A team of professional directors, designers, and technicians etc will be on board to aid in this process. the centre will act as a physical place for this to happen. I'm concerned that the contents of the building do not become the physical objects used in performances, but a means to assisiting the making of performances. I have tried to keep it to a minimum, but maybe there are some things left off which i should include....
Wooden Chair x10
Trestle Table x5
Two Seat Sofa x3
Coat Rail x1
Coat Hangers x40
Large Black Curtain x1
Large White Curtain x1
Large Theatre Light x2
Laptop Computer x3
Printer x1
Drill x1
Toolbox x1
Can Red Paint x1
Can Blue Paint x1
Can Yellow Paint x1
Paintbrush x1
Roller x1
Flat Screen Television on Stand x1
DVD Player x1
CD Player x1
Large Speakers x2
Stepladders x1
Flats x5
Bicycle with trailer x1
Video camera x1
Digital Camera x1
Anglepoise lamp x1
Extention cable x1
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2 comments:
What you appear to be asking is what is the point of the National Theatre and what can be done to make it relevant?
Is the National Theatre a building that simply provides enough technical resources and stage mechanics to rival the west end?
Is it a showcase for examples of the best pieces of performance being produced in the country?
I propose that the National Theatre is replaced by a sceptre that will be thrust into the earth, and the area around it declared as a space of performative excellence for 4 months.
People who will work at the site if the sceptre would be a mix of locals and the finest practitioners in the land, employed on a 2 year contract so a feeling of deep involvement from all involved.
The aim of the project will be to produce work of the highest quality and whose purpose is to be questioned and to engage the local audience with the project.
It is good that you are reappraising and examining the purpose of the National Theatre. A new set of aims to make the institution more open and relevant to the whole country would be useful; after all it is the National Theatre.
Hi We Killed Bambi.
Thanks for your insight. Forgive my slow response, I hadn't noticed your comment before today. I admire the notion of a sceptre thrust into the ground. Surely 4 months is too short though. With the inevitable feeling of a festival a four-month season would have, I fear there would be too much temptation to return things to normal.
What's most significant about your proposal is the act of having locals and professional practitioners involved side by side...though potentially the most dangerous part too. If you are interested in coming to the show opening at the end of the year to see the proposal in full, please let me know.
David.
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