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Repertory Theatre |
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Repertory theatre traditionally refers to the practice of a single company
putting on a variety of plays successively for short periods. Plays typically last
from a week to a fortnight. They are often subsidised, allowing such theatres to take
risks with new and unknown writers, and plays that may not appeal to a wide audience.
A repertoire theatre company is one which takes this approach.
They can distinguished from companies performing a single play over along period,
and from a number of different companies (and so, different actors) putting on
short-lived plays in the same theatre one after the other.
The repertory system of theatre was establised in Britain in the twentieth century
and has since flourished.
Although less common today than it was fifty years ago the repertory system
has helped the careers of many Britsih actors. A so-called period "in rep" has been
an early stage in the careers of actors such as Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Jeremy Brett,
Patrick Stewart, and Imelda Staunton.
Two of the most popular repertoire companys in London are the National Theatre (NT) and
the Globe Theatre. The National Theatre company has three theatres, The Lyttelton, The
Olivier and The Cottesloe. Most of their performances are in repertory, allowing you
to see many plays in a single week. Performances at the Globe Theatre take place
from April to September. |
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