The Alchemist Exposed

Robert Butler

An essential guide to Ben Jonson, the play and its background, The Alchemist ExposedThe Alchemist. In this new book in the 'National Theatre at Work' series, Robert Butler explores Jonson's world and everything that makes his play bang up-to-date.

follows the company and creative team of Nicholas Hytner's new NT production as they strip back the years to reveal the true nature of Published by the NT with Oberon Books. Priced £10

With The Rogue's Company: Henry IV at the National Theatre

by Bella Merlin

£12.99 p/b NT/Oberon Books

The National had never before staged Shakespeare's two most admired history plays; it was ten years since Michael Gambon's last appearance at the Theatre, and five since director Nicholas Hytner had started talking to him about playing Falstaff. The plan was for Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2 – which Kenneth Tynan called "great public plays in which a whole nation is under scrutiny and trial" – to open this year's Travelex £10 Season. Bella Merlin follows the production from pre-rehearsal planning to opening night, charting the processes that make up two major productions in the Olivier Theatre. Available now.

Darkness Illuminated

Published by the NT and Oberon Books. £7.99

A collection of transcripts from the series of Platform discussions that took place early in 2004 about His Dark Materials at the National Theatre.

With an introduction by Robert Butler (author of The Art of Darkness, published last year), who asked the questions, the discussions are with: director Nicholas Hytner; author Philip Pullman, alone and in conversation with Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury; the two young lead actors from the first season – Anna Maxwell Martin and Dominic Cooper; adapter Nicholas Wright; and some of the production team, including the revival season's co-director Matt Wilde.

The Art of Darkness: Staging Philip Pullman's Trilogy

by Robert Butler

£12.99 p/b NT/Oberon

In writing the backstage account of His Dark Materials, Robert Butler follows Nicholas Hytner and his creative team over the six months leading to the first performance of both plays. The question running through it is the one anyone asks who knows the books: How are they going to do it?

Just About Anything Goes: The National Theatre at Work

by Robert Butler

£8 p/b NT

Robert Butler attended every day of rehearsal and talked to each member of the 38-strong cast, following the creation of Trevor Nunn's production of this classic musical through the eyes of its company. Read the final chapter here. The NT production of Anything Goes transferred to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Peter Hall's Bacchai: The National Theatre at Work

by Jonathan Croall

£8 p/b NT

Jonathan Croall has observed the rehearsal process in minute detail. His book offers an intimate and absorbing picture of how a team of world-class theatrical talents brought one of the masterpieces of Greek theatre to the stage. Read the final chapter online only, here.

In Rehearsal at the National: Photographs 1976-2001

compiled by Lyn Haill, preface by Trevor Nunn

£19.99 p/b NT/Oberon

Since the NT opened in 1976, nearly 500 productions have been rehearsed there and those rehearsals have been recorded by some of the world's leading theatre photographers. The more than 200 pictures drawn from the NT's Archive capture the essence of theatre-in-progress – actors and directors at work behind closed doors – and mark the development of some of the great names of our stage. Also includes a complete record of all the productions staged by the NT in the first 25 years in its permanent home.

Inside the Molly House:

The National Theatre at Work

by Jonathan Croall

£7 p/b NT

Jonathan Croall's vivid inside account of the world première of Mother Clap's Molly House. His book looks in revealing detail at the developing creative partnership between playwright Mark Ravenhill, director Nicholas Hytner, and the National company. Published with the support of a grant from the Royal National Theatre Foundation.

Humble Beginnings: The National Theatre at Work

by Robert Butler

£8 p/b NT

Robert Butler attended every rehearsal of Charlotte Jones' Humble Boy, talking to playwright, director, actors and production team, and following the production from first read-through to first performance. The result is a fascinating insight into the rigorous process of bringing a new play to the stage and will be of interest to theatre-goers, students, actors and potential playwrights alike. Published in association with The Caird Company.

Hamlet Observed: The National Theatre at Work

by Jonathan Croall

£7 p/b NT

Simon Russell Beale has been hailed as one of the great Hamlets of our time. This is the backstage story of how he created the part for John Caird's NT production. Jonathan Croall watched the company at work from the first rehearsal onwards, and travelled with them on tour to Elsinore and beyond. His book provides a revealing picture of the creating of a production at the National. Publication supported by a grant from the National Theatre Foundation.

PRINTED TRANSCRIPTS OF NT PLATFORM DISCUSSIONS
£2.95 each.

9. David Hare
David Hare with Jonathan Kent, Genista McIntosh and Michael Ratcliff

10. Shaw & Shaw
Fiona Shaw with Geordie Greig, Michael Holroyd and Angus MacKechnie

Some individual transcripts are available online in Transcripts.

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