Changing Stages
Sundays, BBC2, from 05 November
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REGARDING THE U.S. AIRING OF THIS PROGRAMIn a major new series, the distinguished theatre director and the former artistic director of the Royal National Theatre, Sir Richard Eyre, gives his personal view of the story of theatre in the last one hundred years. Changing Stages is an epic journey through the influences, inspirations and talents that shaped the course of theatre during the last century.
Many of the writers, actors and directors who crafted the most memorable productions of the 20th century give their first-hand accounts during the series. Most notable is one of the last ever interviews from the late Sir John Gielgud, but the cast of greats also features Dame Judi Dench, Arthur Miller, Sir Ian McKellen, Peter Brook, Sir Peter Hall, Robert Lepage, Sir Tom Stoppard, Vanessa Redgrave, David Hare, Alan Bennett and Harold Pinter.
Starting with Shakespeare, whom Eyre believes to be almost the inventor of British theatre as we know it, and whose work is still re-interpreted to reflect the modern world, the series looks at the influence of Irish, American and European playwrights and practitioners on the British stage. Eyre also looks to the future, and questions what relevance the theatrical medium can have to an audience surrounded by a vast range of electronic media. The series is in six parts, each of which discusses a major aspect of 20th century
Sir Richard Eyre is one of the most respected theatre, film and television directors in the world. From 1988 to 1997, he was artistic director of the Royal National Theatre in London, a period which many critics compared to the institution's golden age under the management of Sir Laurence Olivier. Despite stepping down from this post three years ago, Eyre remains at the forefront of British and world theatre. His most recent successes include productions of the David Hare plays Skylight and Amy's View on Broadway (the latter starring Dame Judi Dench), and an award-winning television adaptation of King Lear with Ian Holm. Other notable television and film successes include the Falklands War film Tumbledown for the BBC, and The Ploughman's Lunch starring Jonathan Pryce.
Thanks to Mike for bringing this to my attention. This article and
the next appeared on the BBC website on Nov 3, 2000.