Repertory

Repertory, Repertoire, collection of parts played by an actor or actress, or, more usually, the plays in active production at a theatre in any one season, or which can be put on at short notice, each taking its turn in a constantly changing programme. This system was at one time common to all theatres, and is still in use on the Continent, but in the commercial theatres of London and New York it has been superseded by the continuous run of one play, which may last a year or more. An effort was made in the early 20th century to reintroduce the true repertory system into Britain with the establishment of repertory theatres, but it was not successful, and today only the RSC and the National Theatre company adhere to it, though it is adopted by seasonal theatres such as the Pitlochry Festival Theatre.