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The gold standard for arts documentaries, from 1975 to the present day. A cultural map of the world’s greatest artists and musicians, as captured by exceptional film-makers.

Arena: Arena: The National Theatre

Adam Low

Martin Rosenbaum

Anthony Wall

David Sabel

Arena: Arena: The National Theatre: Episode 1: Part One - The Dream

Part One - The Dream

Episode 1

Episode 1: Part One - The Dream

Arena: The National Theatre

BBC Four - Arena, Arena: The National Theatre, Part One - The Dream

First of two documentaries celebrating the National Theatre's 50th anniversary.

First of two documentaries celebrating the National Theatre's 50th anniversary, with contributions from artistic directors, playwrights and stars such as Dame Joan Plowright.

The National Theatre is 50 in October 2013 and has given the BBC unprecedented access to make two Arena documentaries for BBC Four. 

The films ask why it took until 1963 to create a National Theatre, and Dame Joan Plowright talks frankly to director Adam Low about the appointment of her husband Laurence Olivier, the greatest actor of his generation, as the National's first artistic director. The films uncover the life of the Theatre's early golden period at the Old Vic, the National's first home, under the towering presence of Olivier; the commissioning and construction of the controversial and now iconic Denys Lasdun building on the South Bank; and the turbulent succession of Peter Hall at the end of Olivier's reign. 

Through the personal anecdotes of those who wrote, directed and performed on the National's many stages the films reveal the stories behind the greatest hit productions, from Olivier's Othello to War Horse, under artistic directors Peter Hall, Richard Eyre, Trevor Nunn and up to and including the latest great successes under Nicholas Hytner. Other contributors include Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Alan Bennett, Judi Dench, Francis de la Tour, David Hare, Alan Ayckbourn and Adrian Lester.

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BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Two-part documentary looking at the history of the National Theatre.

Two-part documentary looking at the history of the National Theatre, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2013.

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Arena: The National Theatre

Episode 1: Part One - The Dream

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