Does the National Theatre, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, warrant 800 pages on its history? Last night author and drama lecturer Daniel Rosenthal launched his massive book, The National Theatre Story, written very much as a labour of love.
“The first talks I had with the theatre about the book was on Valentine’s Day, but Valentine’s Day in 2001,” said Rosenthal at the National’s new retail and food outlet beside the Thames. He interviewed all four of the living artistic directors plus scores of actors including Dame Judi Dench, Sir Michael Gambon and Dame Maggie Smith, as well as writers such as Sir Tom Stoppard and Alan Bennett.
Rosenthal reckons he spent several weeks in the archives. “When I was a bit in despair I got a note in 2006 from David Hare, saying how vital it was to write the theatre’s history. That was very encouraging.”
