Sir Peter Hall, who has died at the age of 86, held a truly special place at the heart of our cultural landscape: among his many achievements were founding the Royal Shakespeare Company, serving as Director of the National Theatre, and directing the English-language premiere of Waiting for Godot. To celebrate his extraordinary life, here's … Continue reading ‘Theatre makes people more intelligent than they are individually’: celebrating Peter Hall
Richard Eyre
‘The mistake is to pretend you have all the answers’: Richard Eyre on what makes a good theatre director
What makes a good theatre director? How do you learn to be one? What do you do on the first day of rehearsals? Sir Richard Eyre reflects on the director's elusive craft in his foreword to a new book, Drama Games for Actors by Thomasina Unsworth... Most of us have an indecent curiosity about what … Continue reading ‘The mistake is to pretend you have all the answers’: Richard Eyre on what makes a good theatre director
‘Leave me my name’: Richard Eyre on the importance of Arthur Miller
Richard Eyre directed the first Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. With several major productions of Miller's work opening in this, his centenary year, it's a time to reflect on why plays such as Death of a Salesman, A View from the Bridge and The Crucible speak so urgently to us today. Here, in … Continue reading ‘Leave me my name’: Richard Eyre on the importance of Arthur Miller
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Stephen Sondheim
In the fifth and final part of our week-long Talking Theatre Special – Richard Eyre interviews composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim's shows include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd,Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods and Assassins, as well as … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Stephen Sondheim
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Alan Bennett
In Part Four of our week-long Talking Theatre Special – Richard Eyre interviews playwright and actor Alan Bennett. He has become part of the (quintessentially English) family, a familiar face, a national institution, adjectival: ‘Very Alan Bennett,’ people say. I interviewed him in the basement kitchen of my house. He wasn’t at his happiest when … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Alan Bennett
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Fiona Shaw
In Part Three of our week-long Talking Theatre Special – Richard Eyre interviews actor Fiona Shaw. Born in Cork, Fiona Shaw is celebrated for playing many classical roles—Medea, Electra, Hedda Gabler, even Richard II. Most good actors are highly intelligent; few are highly articulate. Fiona Shaw’s fluency never leads her into waffle, but as an … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Fiona Shaw
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Peter Brook
In Part Three of our week-long Talking Theatre Special – Richard Eyre interviews experimental theatre and film director Peter Brook. Peter Brook has stimulated British theatre for fifty years—first, in his twenties, in the West End, then with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and for the last twenty-five years from outside the country. He disclaims any … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with Peter Brook
Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with John Gielgud
Part Two of our week-long Talking Theatre Special is an extract from Richard Eyre's interview with the late John Gielgud. Actor and director John Gielgud performed all the major Shakespeare roles, and was instrumental in introducing Chekhov to English audiences. In later life he acted in plays by Alan Bennett, Charles Wood, David Storey and … Continue reading Richard Eyre’s TALKING THEATRE: with John Gielgud
Richard Eyre on TALKING THEATRE: Interviews with Theatre People
To celebrate the new paperback edition of Richard Eyre's Talking Theatre - his superlative account of how theatre is made, in the words of the very people who make it - we will be posting exclusive extracts from the book here on the NHB blog. Come back on Monday to find out what John Gielgud … Continue reading Richard Eyre on TALKING THEATRE: Interviews with Theatre People
The Prompt Book 