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NT Talks

National Theatrewww.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Welcome to our collection of conversations recorded live from the National Theatre stages, including interviews with actors, directors and playwrights.
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Episodes

Shakespeare: Writer for Today

From the new series of the BBC's The Hollow Crown, director Dominic Cooke and writer Ben Power discuss their approach to filming Shakespeare's work for the screen.

Apr 27, 201616 min

Shakespeare: The 21st Century

The former Director of the National Theatre talks to Abigail Rokison-Woodall about his enormous contribution to the history of Shakespeare at the NT. In her forthcoming new book, Shakespeare in the Theatre: Nicholas Hytner, she looks at his career through his Shakespeare productions as a whole, including those of Henry V, Much Ado about Nothing, Timon of Athens and Othello at the National.

Apr 27, 201651 min

Shakespeare and Migration: Lenny Henry

Lenny Henry and George Alagiah look at how migration and exile are explored in Shakespeare’s play, The Comedy or Errors, and discuss how the situations experienced by the characters might be mirrored today.

Apr 26, 201641 min

Shakespeare and Old Age: Simon Russell Beale

Simon Russell Beale and Simon Lovestone look at how memory and ageing are explored in Shakespeare’s play, King Lear, and discuss how the situations experienced by the characters might be mirrored today. Part of the Shakespeare400 Partnership, coordinated by King’s College London.

Apr 26, 201642 min

Another World: Islamic State Discussion

A series of discussions on the issues raised by the play, Another World. https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/another-world-losing-our-children-to-islamic-state

Apr 25, 201636 min

Les Blancs

Lorraine Hansberry's Literary Executor and Director of her Literary Trust, Joi Gresham, joins director Yaël Farber and dramaturg Drew Lichtenberg to discuss the playwright’s work and legacy, and this new production of her play, Les Blancs. http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/les-blancs #LesBlancs This is a recording of a live platform event.

Apr 06, 201627 min

The Solid Life of Sugar Water

Graeae Associate Director Amit Sharma and playwright Jack Thorne talk to Kate Bassett about the production. http://www.graeae.org/productions/sugar/ #SugarWater

Mar 16, 201612 min

Private Eye: a review of 2015

The annual treat for fans of the satirical magazine, as Editor Ian Hislop looks back on the past year with regular guests Craig Brown, Harry Enfield, Lewis Macleod, Jan Ravens and John Sessions. www.private-eye.co.uk twitter.com/privateeyenews facebook.com/PrivateEyeNews This is a recording of a live platform event.

Dec 18, 20151 hr 1 min

Chiwetel Ejiofor on Everyman

The actor reflects on the challenges and rewards of playing the title role in Everyman. Chaired by Mark Lawson. #ntEveryman www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/everyman

Aug 07, 20151 hr 9 min

Ralph Fiennes on Man and Superman

The actor talks about the challenges and rewards of playing Jack Tanner in Man and Superman. Chaired by Joan Bakewell.

May 28, 201532 min

Women in Greek Theatre

This film explores the role of women in Ancient Greek society and the representation of female identity in Antigone, Women of Troy and Medea. Dr Lucy Jackson, Teaching Fellow at King's College London & Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) looks back over these recent Greek productions at the National Theatre, featuring Helen McCrory and Jodie Whittaker. For background detail on Greek theatre productions at the National Theatre, see our online exhi...

Mar 04, 20157 min

Judi Dench at the National Theatre

Judi Dench joins Angus MacKechnie on the Lyttelton stage to discuss her career and share memorable moments from her performances at the National Theatre.

Jan 02, 201529 min

Helen McCrory in conversation

Helen McCrory talks to Genista McIntosh about her acting career and her experience preparing for the role of Medea in Ben Power's new version.

Aug 29, 201431 min

Sam Mendes in conversation

The film and stage director talks to Mark Leipacher about his acclaimed production of King Lear, working with Simon Russell Beale and his career. This is a recording of a live Platform event from May 2014.

Jun 30, 201437 min

Michael Palin on Monty Python at Work

Michael Palin talks to Edith Bowman about his new book Monty Python at Work, sharing his experiences with the comedy group. This is a recording of a live Platform event from June 2014.

Jun 13, 201445 min

Alan Ayckbourn in conversation

Alan Ayckbourn talks to Angus MacKechnie about his career, focusing on his work at the National Theatre whilst Peter Hall was Artistic Director and his recently revived play A Small Family Business.

May 23, 201444 min

Talking Lear: Simon Russell Beale on King Lear

Simon Russell Beale talks to Mark Leipacher about the National Theatre's current production of King Lear directed by Sam Mendes. This is a recording of a live Platform event from February 2013.

Feb 21, 201457 min

Derek Jacobi in conversation

Derek Jacobi talks to Al Senter about 'As Luck Would Have It', a book where he reflects on his career and life including working in the Old Vic alongside Laurence Olivier in the first years of the National Theatre.

Jan 03, 201444 min

Anne-Marie Duff in conversation

Anne-Marie Duff talks to Al Senter about her acting career, her roles at the National Theatre and starring in the 2013 production of Eugene O'Neill's Stranger Interlude.

Jul 17, 201329 min

Alan Bennett reads his introduction to People

Alan Bennett reads the introduction to the playscript of People as well as a poem by Philip Larkin, entitled The Explosion. This is a recording of a live Platform event from November 2012.

Jul 11, 201328 min

Adrian Lester in conversation

Adrian Lester talks to Al Senter about playing the role of Othello in Nicholas Hytner's 2013 production, and how playing Ira Aldridge in Red Velvet influenced his performance. He also talks about acting and directing the BBC series of Hustle, performing for Stephen Sondheim and his future plans.

Jul 02, 201336 min

Peter Brook in conversation

Peter Brook talks to Mark Lawson about his career and his new book, The Quality of Mercy, a collection of essays reflecting his lifelong interest in interpreting Shakespeare’s works for contemporary audiences. This is a recording of a live Platform event from April 2013.

May 14, 201327 min

Simon Russell Beale in conversation

Simon Russell Beale talks to Al Senter about his career, including his role in Nicholas Hytner's Timon of Athens and playing Falstaff in Richard Eyre's The Hollow Crown.

Oct 30, 201235 min

Antony Sher in conversation

The actor, author and artist Antony Sher talks to Sue MacGregor about his career, and his latest role in Travelling Light. This is a recording of a live Platform event from February 2012.

Aug 22, 201226 min

Alan Bennett and Judi Dench perform a short radio play

Taken from the National Theatre's archive of Platform event, Alan BenneTt invited Judi Dench to perform a short radio play with him in front of a live audience at the National Theatre. This is an audio recording of a live event from 1995.

Aug 14, 201220 min

Rory Kinnear - Talking Shakespeare

Rory Kinnear talks to Matt Wolf about his approach to playing the historic part of Hamlet in Nicholas Hytner's production and of the process behind creating his version of the role. This is a Platform event from January 2011.

Aug 14, 201230 min
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