Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Nunn takes National Theatre into rep

David Lister
Wednesday 23 September 1998 19:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE NATIONAL Theatre will shortly announce that it is forming a repertory company of actors. The company, which will perform in four plays together, will start productions next spring and might eventually take up a residency outside London.

The initiative by the National's artistic director, Trevor Nunn, will mark a return to old style "rep'' in which actors build up a company ethos and familiarity with their audience as well as achieving a recognisable style of performing. The move, planned for some time by Mr Nunn, will go some way to answering the anxieties expressed by Sir Ian McKellen who told The Independent yesterday that the lack of repertory companies meant actors could not hone their skills properly, and that when he played at the National he had no clear idea of the sort of people that were in the audience. Sir Ian is spending the next six months acting in repertory in Leeds.

A close associate of Trevor Nunn said: "Trevor is moving towards this and there will be an announcement soon. He feels you can explore Shakespeare, for example, in much more depth with a company that has established a certain style."

A spokeswoman for the National Theatre said its audience was predominantly middle-class, middle-aged and white.

An actors audience? page 3

Leading article,

Review, page 3

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in