Introducing Shakespeare: A Graphic Guide - Nick Groom, Piero 2013

A National Theatre

The theatrical tradition of Shakespeare has been inseparable from proposals for the foundation of a national theatre ever since the early 20th-century campaign for a British National Theatre merged with a campaign for a Shakespeare memorial. In 1919, this funded the Memorial Theatre in Stratford, the first permanent repertory company.

THIS BECAME THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY (RSC) IN 1961, AT THE PRESENT TIME THE MOST RENOWNED THEATRICAL TROUPE IN THE WORLD.

The Old Vic, founded in the 19th century, which would become the National Theatre in 1963, was also supported by the Memorial National Theatre Committee.