THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX TO VISIT THE NATIONAL THEATRE
London
Wednesday 30th January, 2019
The Duchess of Sussex will visit the National Theatre on Wednesday 30th January. Earlier this month The Duchess was announced as Patron of the National Theatre, one of two Patronages passed on by Her Majesty The Queen. The Duchess is a strong believer in using the arts to bring people from different backgrounds and communities together, and this first official visit to The National Theatre will explore the work they do, as well as meeting some of the talented teams and apprentices working behind the scenes.
The National Theatre’s mission is to make world class theatre that’s entertaining, challenging and inspiring – and to make it for everyone. It aims to reach the widest possible audience and to be as inclusive, diverse and national as possible with a broad range of productions that play in London, on tour around the UK, on Broadway and across the globe. In 2017/18 the National Theatre staged 19 productions at the South Bank, 10 across the UK, three in the West End and six internationally. Its extensive UK-wide learning and participation programme supports young people’s creative education through performance and writing programmes like Connections, New Views and Let’s Play. The National Theatre extends its reach through digital programmes including NT Live, which broadcasts some of the best of British theatre to over 2,500 venues in 65 countries, and the free streaming service On Demand In Schools, used by nearly 60% of UK state secondary schools.
On arrival The Duchess will join a workshop with members of the Pericles company, which was the National Theatre’s first Public Acts production in 2018. Public Acts, which launched last year, creates extraordinary acts of theatre and community. Pericles brought over 200 people of all ages from across London together with six professional actors to breathe new life into the Shakespeare classic in a musical version. Her Royal Highness will then meet current and former apprentices who are working as technicians in various departments including carpentry, metalwork and painting. Before departing The Duchess will watch a performance inspired by War Horse by primary school children, working with the National Theatre’s primary school programme.
Whilst Her Royal Highness spent ten years working in television, her training is in theatre. As well as a double major in theatre and international relations from Northwestern University, The Duchess volunteered at a performing arts after school programme for children in underprivileged school districts in Los Angeles.
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