Most universities have active drama clubs and societies, some of which are famous, especially the dramatic societies of Oxbridge; an International Festival of University Theatre is held annually.

Films
British films intended are appreciated both at home and abroad, and regularly achieve success at international film festivals and other events. All films intended for public showing are first submitted to the British Board of Film Censors. Films passed by the Board are placed into one of four categories: “U“-is suitable to be seen by any person over five years of age; “A“-for persosns over five years of age, but containing material that some parents might prefer their children not to see; “AA“-for persosns over 14 years of age; and “X“-for persosns over 18 years of age. Music
In London the principal concert halls are the Royal Festival Hall on the south bank of the Thames and the Royal Albert Hall, where the annual summer season of Promenade Concerts is given, which is sometimes described as the world`s greatest music festival. Music festivals are held annually in many towns throughout Britain-one of them is the famous Edinburgh International Festival. British composers who have distinguished themselves in the 20th century include: Vaughan Williams, Sir William Walton, Sir Michael Tippet and Benjamin Britten.

Opera and ballet
Regular seasons of opera and ballet are given at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The royal Opera House has a permanent orchestra which plays for the Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet. The English National Opera plays in the London Coliseum and makes provincial tours.


The USA

Americans have demonstrated an increasing interest in a variety of cultural events. Art festivals are held in many parts of the country each year and in big cities and in university towns throughout the nation. Art centres are estorablished or being built, f.e.: The Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts in New York, completed in 1969, the Metropolitan Opera Company, orthe New York Philharmonic. Another major cultural complex is The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. There are three beautifully appointed theatres for opera, dance, drama and music. It is the home of the American Film Institute;s theatre and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Music

Music of all kinds is extremely popular in the United States. Radio stations broadcast about 15,000 hours of musical programmes weekly. Operas, orchestral performances, chamber music and jazz concerts are often presented on TV.
There are 1,500 symphony orchstras in the United States-the well known are: The New York Philharmonic, the great orchestras of Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chicago.