By Jennifer R Jones | Posted on September 15, 2012 5:34 PM
The United Kingdom's National Theatre Is Taking Steps To Solidify Its Presence In The Broadway Theater Scene By Setting Up An Office In New York City Highlighting Their Global Impact
UK's National Theatre Sets Up on Broadway
The United Kingdom's National Theatre has enjoyed significant success in recent years with transfers of its hit London shows to Broadway. Notable recent examples include the still-running War Horse and the just-closed comedy One Man, Two Guvnors. It seems that hardly a Broadway season goes by that doesn't feature at least one production that has transferred to New York after winning acclaim on the other side of the pond. These limited-run productions, which usually enjoy equal acclaim from NYC critics, give Broadway audiences an opportunity to see some of Britain's most talented performers live. To keep up with the demand, the National Theatre has decided to establish an office in New York.
Up to this point, the National has worked with producing partners here in New York to help facilitate the Broadway productions, but having a "home office" in the U.S. will make it easier for the NT to monitor its North American ventures. National Theatre executive director Nick Starr said in a press statement, "Establishing this office will allow us to build on existing relationships with American theatre companies, and to continue to foster a theatrical dialogue involving artists from both sides of the Atlantic."
National Theatre Makes Global Impact
Despite the fact that the National Theatre was established for British citizens and receives funding from their taxes, it has become an international phenomenon. Not only through its transfers to Broadway and other countries, but also through the success of its National Theatre Live broadcasts, in which London performances from the National stage are beamed to movie theaters around the globe.
