peoples and traditions


artistic and cultural activity in britain ranges from the highest professional standards to a wide variety of amateur involvement. london is one of the leading world centers for drama, music, opera and dance. other cities are serve as centers of artistic excellence in their regions. some 650 professional arts festivals take place each year. the edinburgh international festival is the largest of its kind in the world.

britain has about 300 theatres intended for professional use, of which about 100 are in london, including the royal national theatre. the royal shakespeare company performs in stratford-upon-avon, shakespeares birthplace, and in london. sixty-four companies receive subsidies from the arts councils. contemporary british playwrights who have received international recognition include harold pinter, alan ayckbourn, caryl churchill and david hare. the musicals of sir andrew lloyd webber, including evita, cats and p...