National Theatre is 50 years old.

The National Theatre was founded in October 1963. I first worked at the Old Vic the original home of the National in February in 1965 as a dresser on Othello, and again in the summer of 1966 at the Queen's Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, on props and other things. So a documentary Arena: The National Theatre - Part One - The Dream on BBC4 about its history, had me glued to the television. What a remarkable story - Shakespearean itself in its comedy and tragedy. The greatest actor of his day - Lawrence Olivier was the figure head - who galvanised his actors into a spirit of enterprise. I felt and still do immense prided that I was there at the beginning of it all. Over the years I've seen many fine performances, but in 1988 I took my 14 old daughter to see King Lear with Ian Holm playing the naked king. Not surprisingly she still remembers the event. So lets celebrate this national institution that has found a home in our hearts. Happy birthday!