BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE

Britain's National Theatre will be 50 years old in 2013. Its first 13 years were spent at the Old Vic under the Directorship of Laurence Olivier. In 1976, with Peter Hall as Director, it moved to its new home on the South Bank, designed by Denys Lasdun. Since its inception, the National has presented nearly 800 productions, with several plays showing in any one week. Successors to Peter Hall have been Richard Eyre from 1988 to 1997, Trevor Nunn from 1997 to 2003 and Nicholas Hytner who took over in April 2003. This lively book describes the theatre, its workings and the people behind the scenes who create the productions and welcome around 3,000 people to the building each day: from stage management, costume and wig-makers, set- builders, lighting and sound technicians, to ushers, housekeepers and barristas. With stunning images, key facts, stories and narratives, it captures the aesthetics and working life of a unique theatre.