| Description | Series of articles about the opening and first two years of the National Theatre at its South Bank site. Folder 1 covers the period 1974 - 1976. Topics include the productions, management, the role of subsidised theatre, public reaction to the new theatre, its architecture and design by Denys Lasdun, concerns at increased operating costs, the building winning the Concrete Society's 1977 award, concerns over accessability and facilities for people with disability, a typed transcript of "A Theatre For The Nation: A Special Kaleidoscope Programme" interview with Peter Hall broadcast 6 Februray 1976, a profile of Michael Coveney, concerns at the National Theatre receiving Arts Council funding to the detriment of other subsidised theatres, cutting the company from 100 to 40 in 1974 to save cost, financial difficulties of London and provinical theatres in 1974, the Hansard Report on Parliamentray Debate into the arts and the National Theatre of 17 March 1975, concerns over levels of spending and accountability at the National, a 1976 report by the Arts Council on the National Theatre, calls for the National to be judged on its programme of work rather than criticism of Peter Hall. Folder 2 covers the period 1976 - 1977. Topics include an appreciation of the external and interior design of the National Theatre, the use of public spaces and foyers for concerts and platfrom performances, an overveiw f the three theatres, favourbale articles from the American press, successful productions playing to over 90 percent capacity, few less successful to 65 percent capacity, |