The Royal National Theatre of Great Britain

The Royal National Theatre of Great Britain is located in the well-known town of Waterloo. It is so highly esteemed that it is more commonly known, simply, as The National. It was built in in 1963 and was based out of the Old Vic theatre. It currently houses three stages. However, The National is not only a stand-still theatre; it has been performing touring productions since 1988.

The National was developed in 1847 because of a high demand for more serious plays, without censorship. It was not necessarily a brick and mortar theatre, but more of an idea. It had not been put into structure because the focus of critics was more on commemorating Shakespeare. After the theatre devoted to Shakespeare was built, and the burden of the World Wars had ceased, The National was constructed. In short, the construction of this theatre was built from the sour comments of concerned critics.

 Its esteemed nature calls for many genres of plays. It has had many Shakespearean productions, various renowned dramas, and even more modern plays.  The National was built as a way to be a melting pot of all the genres of plays in the world, and that is their mission; to allow each and every established artist a chance without censorship.

The National gives every established artist a chance without censorship, and that is why they offer highly engrossing internships. The goal of the internship is to “expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike”.  This internship involves: working with program strands, joining a team of motivated artists, learning to work the office in the aspects of administration and research, attending all departmental meetings, but mainly just learning administration and planning. Interns will have opportunities to observe workshops and possibly attend theatrical events!

At the end of the internship, the intern will have an exit interview where the judges will give an appraisal of the intern’s performance and work. In this session, feedback will be given to the individual regarding their time with the theatre. It is a very honorable experience and is highly recommended.

I am enticed by this company, specifically, because it is well versed in the history of British plays and playwrights. It has an enigmatic sense of hierarchy amongst all other companies in England and possibly the world. The National is a mix of all genres and gives the notion of inexplicable forward motion in the theatrical community. If I were to further my interests in the realm of theatre, this is one company I would not want to pass by. If I were received into their internship, I have a sense of knowing that I would somehow be ahead of the pack when it comes to obtaining a career.

I find it admirable that they give every aspiring playwright a chance, whilst clasping classical tales tightly. They may accept new and odd forms of genres into their programs, but they do not forget where their foundations lay. Even the architecture of their theatre shows their originality and classical edge, with a twist of a modern zest.