National Theatre's 50th

The National Theatre is 50 this year and to celebrate, they are running a series of platforms and events to reflect on its history and its future. There are three strands: Scene Changes reflects on fifty years of change in the theatre sector; National Histories asks key figures from the National's past and present for their 'Desert Island Discs' of theatre' and Future Questions tries to think where we might be going in the next 50 years. I'm chairing one panel in each strand.

Scene Changes: Theatre Venues: Site specific, found spaces and outdoor

Mon 14 October, 1.05pm (50mins), The Shed

A panel will examine how the use of venues for theatre has evolved over the past 50 years, drawing on their own experiences, and how future technology will affect where art happens. With Punchdrunk Artistic Director Felix Barrett; Director of Forest Fringe, Andy Field; co-founder of ArtsAdmin, Judith Knight; and Jenny Sealey, Co-Director of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony and Artistic Director of Graeae Theatre Company.

National Histories: Charles Kay and Fiona Shaw

Mon 21 October, 6pm (45mins), Olivier

Future Questions: Writing

Wed 30 October, 5.45pm (1hr), Lyttelton

Will theatre continue to inspire writers to produce work for the stage in an increasingly digital age? Will the plays on our stages now be performed in fifty years time? What tone will be set by the next generation of writers?

More details here and you can follow the links to get tickets. 

UPDATE: I will also be chairing the following session: 

Scene Changes - Theatre Criticism: from broadsheet to blog 

Fri 18 October, 1.05-1.55pm, The Shed 

Discussing the changing role of the critic in theatre in the last 50 years, print versus internet, and the use of social media. With Michael Billington of the Guardian; the Arts Editor of the East Anglian Daily Times, Andrew Clarke; blogger and arts journalist Catherine Love; and Mark Shenton of the Sunday Express and The Stage.