Today, we separated into separate groups - literature (12) and theatre (8) students - and adventured to the Charles Dickens Museum and National Theatre, respectively. I went along with the theatre group to the Royal National Theatre, one of the United Kingdom's three most prominent performing arts venues, near the Southbank of London. We went on a guided tour to get a sneak peek of what happens on and off the three different stages founded in the complex.
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Outside view of the Royal National Theatre
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Started in 1963, the National Theatre has been home to hundreds of shows; their first production was
Hamlet. Whatever the time of year, the theatre has a multitude of productions being put on because of the ability to take down and erect set designs in the three different theatres - Dorfman, Lyttelton, and Olivier theatres. Each auditorium is unique in its own way. For example, the largest theatre is the Olivier. The seating spans 118 degrees for continuous [optimal] view for both the audience and the actors. It has a revolving stage where the platform - 18 meters in diameter - can rotate to allow for more efficient transitions and technical work. It consists of a large pillar that is 168 tons and can go down 20 meters. The Lyttelton theatre can hold 890 seats and is very similar to a traditional stage. Finally, the Dorfman theatre is much smaller and is a black box theatre where seating and stage work can be drastically manipulated to fit the needs of each production.
I was shocked to hear they can put on about 30 productions each year! In addition, they will often put on live shows that are broadcasted on large screens for a different audience using the same or similar content from the stage production. But when we got a look behind the scenes, we were taken down winding corridors and halls to large open spaces used for scene work, the prop shop, construction, and every other department that is required to help with putting on a production. I was astonished by the number of props, set designs, costumes, and general supplies that they use. One of my favorite views (as seen below) is the stage design area where some very creative people were creating moss flooring and towering palm trees for an upcoming production.
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| Panorama shot of the Set Design Space |
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| In the works of creating the moss flooring. |
This was one of my favorite activities of the trip thus far! It was so cool to see the magic behind the scenes, especially at such a large venue. I was astonished as well. I do wish we could have seen where the costumes are made as I envision walls of beautiful fabric. I wish we could see a play at the National Theatre (especially one when the rotating stage is operated)
ReplyDeleteHello Tyler! This looked like an amazing time! Although the dickens museum was a lot of fun I am jealous that you had this opportunity and I wish I was there as well. I found it really cool that you got to see and take pictures of the set design and space in action! I don’t know about you but I think its amazing seeing those types of things come together and fall into place! It’s amazing how much a set can make or break a show for say. Don’t you think?
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