The National Theatre, future plans

Surely you mean you've seen half of every single show at the Nash . . ?

Honest question echoing that of stevemar above- what DOES Rufus need to do? Or which AD does he need to emulate?

So far there’s a lot of “he’s rubbish” and not a lot of “what I’d like to see is”
Personally I don’t have a strong opinion on his tenure thus far- other than it’s too soon to make a final judgment. But those who don’t like what he’s done who or what would you put in it’s place?

More hotties. With or without nudity but preferably with.
Tom Bateman.
More of those jolly restoration comedies.
More musicals with tap routines and kick lines. And staircases.
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.
More Jonny Bailey.
More farces. 'Whoops There Go My Bloomers', that sort of thing.
More nudity.
More Tom Bateman.
More things with glitter cannons and things falling from the sky (except the roof of course).
The Boy From Oz.
Bring Back Jennifer Ehle.
Marc Elliott.
More plays about the gayers.
And I'm still waiting on that Gigi transfer.

That should be a good start. When I take over, Rufus is going to eat poop and collapse. Take that nemesis.

I may be slightly off but (other than Abrahami) this is a list of directors (and Martin Crimp) all over the age of 50.

There must surely be some younger directors that deserve a call-up under the Parsley regime; I think there'd be some back-biting if not...

I think Norris should get some top notch dramaturgs on board because I perceive a crisis in this area and I see it in every single theatre I have visited this year. Theatre auteurs like Icke are wonderful but in my mind the play’s the thing and there needs to be an investment in the development of writers who can fill the larger spaces. It was a good call to commission St George and Common but the lack of dramaturgical development is evident in both plays.

Jack Bradley ran the literary dept for a while in Hytner’s “regime” and he was one of the best. Some writers don’t need that input so much because of their experience. I went to a talk years ago where Bradley interviewed Michael Frayn when Copenhagen was on and he revealed that Frayn’s work required very little dramaturgical intervention. Frayn Then disclosed that was because his wife (a literary heavyweight herself) was his first reader and gave him feedback. So, in fact all writers - no matter their accomplishment - need input while developing their work.

Along with the revivals and classics a national theatre should give writers the opportunity to engage with the important topics of their time. I am keen on new writing because I believe the role of Theatre is to hold a mirror up to life. We might not like what we see reflected there but it’s essential that we look.

I suspect that many (most?) don't actually register the importance of dramaturgy and, as a result, put blame on writers, directors, the bar staff etc. instead. The fact is that most will have been used to small spaces and small casts, just as writers will have been so the Dorfman and the Lyttelton are their home ground. Who is there who has experience shaping and guiding projects to completion on a massive stage though? There is this big gap, not helped by the gradual handing over of that space to musicals, pseudo-musicals, revivals and the odd literary adaptation.

Cleo, you are right. You can have all the talented directors you like ( please not Katie Mitchell cos for me she can do no right) but without good plays they might as well go and make more dosh on adverts. No, what is needed is support for people who want to write plays and who are already writing: financial support for development, courses, workshops, mentoring and outreach visits to schools and colleges and unis. Then more studio shows, try outs and low key performances which again need some financial support as actors shouldn’t be asked to do stuff for nothing. And the NT should go and search for talent: visit colleges etc, rooms over pubs ( play that goes wrong ) and then people will approach the NT when they realise that support is available. Bring in the directors certainly ( not Katie Mitchell) but only when there is material, to direct. Create a busy channel of writing and development, a channel that people know about and want to be involved with. ( I think something like this might already exist but it is not wide reaching enough, is it.)

And yes, of course, Ryan, more nudity.

On another note: is it possible to change the title of this thread. I find the current one unnecessary and, while I am finding the posts interesting, I don’t like contributing to a troll’s vendetta.

Oh come on. The title fits the topic. Criticism isn’t trolling or a vendetta. Criticism of someone paid with taxpayers money at £250k a year certainly isn’t trolling or a vendetta.

I like it, it makes it more discussion-y and less like we're all ghouls sitting around waiting for the Fates to cut RuNo's life-thread. Thanks, Lynette!

I think it's better - less like entries in a slam book.