Rory Kinnear is interviewed by Matt Wolf. They discuss Kinnear's approach to playing the historic part.

Follow Fiona Shaw through her pre-show warm up, getting into costume and preparing to go on stage.

Director Nicholas Hytner and actor Lesley Manville talk about the job of the stage actor.

Simon Russell Beale, Lesley Manville and Roger Allam talk describe performing on the Olivier stage.

Simon Russell Beale, Lesley Manville and Roger Allam talk about acting on the Lyttelton stage - a traditional proscenium arch theatre.

Simon Russell Beale and Roger Allam talk about acting on the Cottesloe stage - small intimate theatre.

Simon Russell Beale talks about why actors rehearse for the length of time that they do and what happens during that process.

Simon Russell Beale talks about the benefits of working as part of a company.

An actor will perform the same role for a period of time but with a good script an actor can find new discoveries every night.

The dressing rooms at the National are arranged over four floors, set around a courtyard in the centre of the building. This helps create a sense of community for the actors, while they can still have their own privacy to prepare to go on stage.