 Royal National Theatre
South Bank, London , SE1 9PX
What's on at Royal National Theatre
Nearest underground:
Waterloo (Jubilee Line, Northern Line, Waterloo and City Line, Bakerloo Line)
Nearest rail:
Waterloo , Waterloo East
Considering London ’s rich theatrical history extending back centuries and its wealth of beautiful theatre buildings, it is surprising that it had no national theatre here until 1976. It was a book published at the start of the last century A National Theatre; Scheme And Estimates that pushed the issue to the fore of the national consciousness. But although an initial site in Gower Street was acquired in 1913, an amazing sixty-three years passed before the £20 million pound National Theatre finally opened in the cultural powerhouse of the South Bank in 1976.
The uncompromising concrete giant it is housed in was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun but its blocky appearance was not universally embraced. Recently a new scheme attractively lighting the complex at night has helped improve its image. It has three auditoria; the largest 1,160 seat, Olivier, the Lyttelton, and the intimate Cottesloe. Shakespeare, contemporary works, musicals and classics are all performed, endowing the Royal National with an enviable variety. A bookshop, eating places, bars and plenty of space to relax encourage the public to use the building as a social centre, whether they are specifically attending a performance or not.
What's on at Royal National Theatre
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