WORLD THEATRE DAY ADDRESS:
On 27th March 2010, World Theatre Day was celebrated. World Theatre Day is an activity of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), which was founded in 1948 by UNESCO. Each year the ITI commissions a leading world theatre figure to write a special address. This year it was made by Dame Judi Dench, (born December 9, 1934) a noted theatre and film actress.
"World Theatre Day is an opportunity to celebrate Theatre in all its myriad forms. Theatre is a source of entertainment and inspiration and has the ability to unify the many diverse cultures and peoples that exist throughout the world. But theatre is more than that and also provides opportunities to educate and inform.
Theatre is performed throughout the world and not always in a traditional theatre setting. Performances can occur in a small village in Africa, next to a mountain in Armenia, on a tiny island in the Pacific. All it needs is a space and an audience. Theatre has the ability to make us smile, to make us cry, but should also make us think and reflect.
Theatre comes about through team work. Actors are the people who are seen, but there is an amazing set of people who are not seen. They are equally as important as the actors and their differing and specialist skills make it possible for a production to take place. They too must share in any triumphs and successes that may hopefully occur.
March 27 is always the official World Theatre Day. In many ways every day should be considered a theatre day, as we have a responsibility to continue the tradition to entertain, to educate and to enlighten our audiences, without whom we couldn’t exist."
PATSY RODENBURG ON THEATRE:
Patsy Rodenburg says the world needs actors more than ever. In a talk at Michael Howard Studios, she tells the story of a profound encounter that reveals the deeper role theater can play in people's lives.
A sought-after voice and acting coach, Patsy Rodenburg has worked with some of the world's leading actors, including Daniel Day-Lewis and Judi Dench.
To view the video, CLICK HERE