National Theatre

The National Theatre company was founded in 1963, with Laurence Olivier as its first artistic director. Before moving to the South Bank, the company was based at the Old Vic, where it helped establish the idea of a permanent national theatre company producing classic and contemporary work for broad audiences.

The current National Theatre building opened on the South Bank in the 1970s and was designed by Denys Lasdun. Its bold concrete architecture has become one of London’s most recognisable cultural landmarks, admired by many as a major example of British Brutalism.

Inside the building are three main theatres: the Olivier, the Lyttelton and the Dorfman. The Olivier is the largest, with an amphitheatre-style auditorium suited to major classics, large-scale drama and epic staging. The Lyttelton is a more traditional proscenium theatre, while the Dorfman is a smaller, flexible space often used for more intimate or experimental work.

The National Theatre has produced many of the UK’s most influential plays, revivals and theatrical events. Its productions often transfer to the West End, tour nationally or reach international audiences through National Theatre Live. For theatregoers, it is a key London venue for serious theatre, ambitious staging and major creative talent.

Waterloo is the nearest major Underground and National Rail station, with Embankment also within walking distance across the river. The theatre is on Upper Ground on the South Bank, close to the Royal Festival Hall, BFI Southbank, the Thames, Gabriel’s Wharf and the wider South Bank cultural area.

The National Theatre is ideal if you want a full cultural day or evening rather than a simple in-and-out theatre trip. Arrive early if you can: the building has foyers, bars, bookshop areas and river views that make it worth spending time in before the show. Because there are three theatres, always double-check whether your ticket is for the Olivier, Lyttelton or Dorfman before heading to the auditorium.