ABSTRACT
In 1947 Bristol University created the first Drama Department, with its own Professor from 1960, and it was followed by Manchester in 1961, Hull in 1963 and Birmingham in 1964, with many other Universities following. Moreover, student drama flourished on campuses, encouraged by events like the annual National Student Drama Festivals and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, while some Universities hosted professional companies, such as Exeter's Northcott Theatre, Leeds's Playhouse and Newcastle's University Theatre. Meanwhile, Michael Croft, a schoolteacher and would-be writer, created the National Youth Theatre in 1956 to perform in London during the school holidays. Just as Augusto Boal’s ideas and methods were injecting new energy into theatre as a democratic forum, therefore, TIE companies were fading away. By 1976, many people involved with education and theatre had, in the words of Albert Hunt, ‘hopes for great happenings’. It’s not based on whether these children are in productions, or are happy or are encouraged to play musical instruments.
