TCG Books Publishes Daniel Rosenthal's THE NATIONAL THEATRE STORY

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) has announced the availability of The National Theatre Story by Daniel Rosenthal, published by Oberon Books (London). Published to mark the National Theatre's 50th anniversary, Rosenthal's meticulously researched volume chronicles the political, architectural and artistic history of London's National Theatre, starting with its 19th-century origins through the inauguration of the National Theatre Company under Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic in 1963 up until the present day with the recent announcement of Rufus Norris as successor to Nicholas Hytner as artistic director.

Nine years in the making, The National Theatre Story reveals scores of previously unpublished stories, including day-by-day accounts of industry disputes; artistic, financial and political battles, and on-stage triumphs and off-stage disasters. Rosenthal interviewed more than 100 actors, directors, playwrights and producers, and was granted unprecedented access to the National's archive - the result is a definitive work which covers many of the stage's greatest actors (Gielgud, Redgrave, Dench, McKellen), dramatists (Hare, Pinter, Stoppard), as well as the seminal productions that have crossed the pond to make Broadway their second home (Equus; Betrayal; One Man, Two Guvnors; War Horse).

Coinciding with this publication is the U.S. network premiere of The National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage, which will air on Great Performances, February 14 at 9 PM, EST, on PBS. It showcases live footage of the NT's star-studded 50th anniversary gala, directed by Nicholas Hytner, alongside archive clips of many of the most celebrated actors who have performed at the NT since 1963. Mr. Rosenthal will also be in conversation with Frank Dunlop, associate director with Laurence Olivier's NT Company from 1967-71 and founding Director of the Young Vic Theatre, followed by a book signing, at New York City's Drama Book Shop on February 10. For more information on the event, please visit www.tcg.com/publications/books/bookevent.cfm.

Daniel Rosenthal has contributed interviews and features on film and theatre for publications including The Times, Independent, Daily Telegraph, Observer and TES. From 2002-06, he was editor of International Film Guide, the annual world cinema almanac. He is the author of Shakespeare on Screen (Hamlyn, 2000) and 100 Shakespeare Films (BFI Publishing, 2007) and the Commentary for Methuen Student Editions of David Mamet's Oleanna and Patrick Marber's Closer. He has lectured at schools throughout England, and teaches undergraduate "Film and Theatre Journalism" and "Screen Adaptation" courses for the International Programmes department of Pembroke College, Cambridge. He has chaired more than 30 National Theatre Platforms. Daniel is an Associate Producer of the two-part Arena documentary The National Theatre, and presented The National Theatre at Fifty, a three-hour archive sequence for BBC Radio 4 Extra, which featured extracts from his audio interviews with actors and directors for The National Theatre Story. Daniel will be available for interviews in New York, from February 7-15.

Oberon Books is one of the U.K.'s leading independent publishers specializing in drama and the performing arts. Oberon has a backlist of over 1,000 books including the latest modern plays and classics from some of the world's leading dramatists, as well as a wide range of handsomely produced publications covering the theatre, opera, dance, biography, performance studies, monologues, practical guides and fiction.

For over 50 years, Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, has existed to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre. TCG's constituency has grown from a handful of groundbreaking theatres to nearly 700 member theatres and affiliate organizations and more than 12,000 individuals nationwide. TCG offers its members networking and knowledge-building opportunities through conferences, events, research and communications; awards grants, approximately $2 million per year, to theatre companies and individual artists; advocates on the federal level; and serves as the U.S. Center of the International Theatre Institute, connecting its constituents to the global theatre community. TCG is North America's largest independent publisher of dramatic literature, with 11 Pulitzer Prizes for Best Play on the TCG booklist. It also publishes the award-winning AMERICAN THEATRE magazine and ARTSEARCH, the essential source for a career in the arts. In all of its endeavors, TCG seeks to increase the organizational efficiency of its member theatres, cultivate and celebrate the artistic talent and achievements of the field and promote a larger public understanding of, and appreciation for, the theatre. For more information visit www.tcg.org.