National Theatre

The National Theatre is a major producing theatre on London’s South Bank. Its Grade II listed home, designed by Denys Lasdun, is one of the city’s best-known examples of Brutalist architecture, with broad riverside terraces and large public foyers.

The complex contains three very different auditoriums: the Olivier, Lyttelton and Dorfman. Rehearsal rooms, workshops and production facilities are housed alongside the stages, allowing sets, costumes and other elements of a production to be developed on site.

Its programme combines new plays, classics and revivals, with work also reaching audiences through touring, cinema screenings and digital platforms. The building is open to visitors beyond performance times and includes places to eat, drink and spend time along the South Bank.

The address is Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX, close to Waterloo Bridge.

The National Theatre has three auditoriums, each with a different shape and atmosphere.

• Olivier Theatre: a large, fan-shaped amphitheatre with Stalls and Circle seating. The rake is pronounced and the room wraps around the stage, helping even higher seats feel connected to the action. The front Stalls rows are slightly narrower, have no armrests and may carry a restricted-view note for some productions.
• Lyttelton Theatre: a traditional proscenium theatre with Stalls and Circle seating. There are no pillars or circle rails blocking the main sightlines. The first few Stalls rows are narrower and may have production-specific restrictions.
• Dorfman Theatre: a flexible studio space with Pit, Circle and Gallery seating. The layout can be end-on, in the round, traverse or something more unusual, so seat positions and views change from one production to the next.

Wheelchair positions are available in all three theatres, but their exact locations depend on the auditorium and, in the Dorfman, the configuration. Always check the seating plan and any restriction notes for your particular performance before booking.

The National Theatre has step-free routes through its main public areas, lifts between levels and accessible toilets. A step-free taxi drop-off is available on the east side of the building, between the theatre and the neighbouring IBM building; contact the venue in advance if you would like help planning the route from arrival.

Wheelchair positions are available in all three auditoriums. In the Olivier and Lyttelton they are at the rear of the Stalls, with level access from the foyer. The Dorfman has a ramped entrance and lift access, although exact positions can change with the production’s seating configuration. Some seats elsewhere in the auditoriums require steps.

Hearing assistance is available in each theatre, and the programme includes captioned, BSL-interpreted, audio-described, relaxed and other access performances. Assistance dogs are welcome and can either remain with you or be cared for by the front-of-house team by arrangement.

The National Theatre’s free Access Scheme can store access requirements and help with suitable seating. Facilities and performance arrangements can change, so check the current access page or speak to the Box Office before booking if you have specific needs.

The National Theatre is on Upper Ground on the South Bank. Waterloo is the most useful station for many visitors, with Underground and National Rail services. Southwark is another convenient Tube option, while Embankment and Charing Cross are across the river via the pedestrian bridges.

Bus stops on Waterloo Bridge, Waterloo Road and Stamford Street serve the surrounding area. River services stop at Embankment Pier on the north bank. Routes and evening service times change, so check TfL before travelling.

The theatre has an underground car park reached from Upper Ground, with designated accessible bays near the lifts. Opening hours, charges and Blue Badge arrangements can change, so check the current venue information before driving. A step-free taxi drop-off is on the private road to the east of the building, between the National Theatre and the neighbouring IBM building.

Cycle racks are available outside the building and Santander Cycles docking stations are nearby. The South Bank can become busy before and after performances, so allow extra time for the final part of your journey.

The campaign to establish a national theatre in Britain lasted for decades. Parliament passed the National Theatre Act in 1949, and the company was finally founded in 1963 with Laurence Olivier as its first director. Its opening production was Hamlet, starring Peter O’Toole, at the Old Vic on 22 October 1963.

The company remained at the Old Vic while its permanent South Bank home was built. Architect Denys Lasdun designed the vast concrete complex, which was constructed between 1969 and 1976. The Lyttelton opened first while work continued around it, and the whole building opened to the public in 1976.

The three auditoriums allowed the National Theatre to work on very different scales, from epic productions in the Olivier to more intimate and experimental work. Early South Bank landmarks included Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus, Peter Hall’s The Oresteia and the company’s first musical, Guys and Dolls.

The building has since become one of Britain’s best-known works of post-war architecture and is Grade II listed.

Aim to be inside the building with enough time to find the correct auditorium and seating level before the advertised start. Latecomers are admitted only at a suitable break, which may mean a long wait or, for some productions, no admission until the interval.

Bag checks may take place. Large bags must be left in the ground-floor cloakroom, and storage is not available at all times, so travel light and check the latest size limits if you need to bring luggage. Keep personal belongings with you throughout your visit.

The building has several cafés, bars and restaurants. Performance bars open before shows and during intervals, and interval drinks can usually be pre-ordered. Opening times and individual outlets can change, so check what will be available on the day of your performance.

Photography is not permitted inside the auditoriums unless the production explicitly says otherwise. Age guidance can also vary by show; check the production page before booking for children and make sure anyone who needs supervision attends with an appropriate adult.