This version of the BBC Four Arena programme, made to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Theatre, has been especially made for schools.
Arena: The National Theatre is a compilation of short films looking at its history and purpose, exploring not only how the National Theatre came about, but also its relevance today.
These short films are suitable for teaching Drama at KS4/GCSE level in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and National 4 and 5 in Scotland.
An introduction to the National Theatre. video
Why did Britain feel the need for a National Theatre in 1963? We see archive footage of founder Sir Laurence Olivier, explaining what he wanted it to achieve.
Attracting New Audiences to the Theatre. video
How Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein' was adapted for the stage by the National Theatre in 2011, in Danny Boyle's critically acclaimed production starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.
Making Shakespeare Contemporary. video
Director Nicholas Hytner and the cast of the National Theatre's 2010 production of Hamlet talk through how they used the theme of surveillance to make they play relevant to a modern audience.
Making Theatre Relevant. video
Playwright James Graham talks us through the social and historical context behind his political drama "This House", which premiered at the National Theatre in 2012.
Othello – Themes and Contemporary Approach. video
We see inside the rehearsal room for Nicholas Hytner’s 2013 production of 'Othello' for the National Theatre. The cast and crew are assembled, and Hytner tells the company that the army are absolutely essential to this play.
