The Old Vic series of Shakespeare productions in 1914. The building was damaged in 1940 during air raids and it became a Grade II* listed building in 1951 after it reopened. The Old Vic is the crucible of many of the performing arts companies and theatres in London today. It was the name of a repertory company that was based at the theatre and formed (along with the Chichester Festival Theatre) the core of the National Theatre of Great Britain on its formation in 1963, under Laurence Olivier. The National Theatre remained at the Old Vic until new premises were constructed on the
John Rea (artistic director) John Rea (artistic director) John Rea (born 1967) is an American playwright/lyricist/composer and Artistic Director of MacGuffin Theatre & Film Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA since 1998. Rea earned a BA in music from Temple University and a MA in theater from Villanova University. He was the director of Discovery Division for youth at the Walnut Street Theatre from 1995-99. He was the Literary Manager/Dramaturg for Philadelphia Theatre Company from 1997-99. He has directed or produced all MacGuffin productions and teaches a variety of classes there, as well. He has directed several film projects for MacGuffin including: Clueless, After Midnight