Cities
United Kingdom London Southwark Theatre

National Theatre

National Theatre
About

The National Theatre on London's South Bank is a vibrant hub of creativity with three distinct theatres: the Olivier, the Lyttelton, and the Dorfman (formerly the Cottesloe). Each offers a unique theatrical experience, from large-scale productions in the Olivier, modeled on a Greek amphitheater, to more intimate plays in the Lyttelton and experimental works in the Dorfman. Beyond catching a performance, you can explore the building's striking Brutalist architecture, a subject of much discussion since its opening in 1976. The foyers themselves act as public spaces, offering views of the Thames. You might catch free exhibitions in the Lyttelton Lounge or the Wolfson Gallery. For a behind-the-scenes glimpse, consider a backstage tour to see set construction and prop making. The Sherling High-Level Walkway offers a unique view into the production workshops. The National Theatre also hosts various learning events and workshops for all ages at the Clore Learning Centre. In the summer months, keep an eye out for outdoor performances and activities on the terraces. The building also houses a bookshop, cafes, and a pub called The Understudy, making it a destination even if you're not seeing a show.

London United Kingdom
Location

The National Theatre, officially the Royal National Theatre, is located on Upper Ground in the South Bank area of central London, right beside the River Thames. Its striking Brutalist architecture makes it a landmark in the city, and its riverside terraces offer sweeping views of the Thames, the London Eye, and the city skyline. The theatre is at the heart of a vibrant cultural corridor, with the Southbank Centre immediately adjacent, as well as the Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Royal Festival Hall all within a few minutes’ walk. The BFI Southbank cinema, the lively Southbank Centre Food Markets, and the iconic Waterloo Bridge are also nearby, as is the statue of Laurence Olivier, the theatre’s founding director. A short stroll along the river brings you to other major attractions such as Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The area is bustling with street performers, outdoor art installations, and food stalls, adding to its lively atmosphere. Waterloo Station is the nearest major transport hub, just a five-minute walk away, making the National Theatre easily accessible by public transport. This central location ensures that visitors can enjoy not only world-class theatre but also a wealth of cultural, culinary, and artistic experiences in the immediate vicinity.

Tower Bridge Tower Bridge London Tower of London Tower of London London Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace London The National Gallery The National Gallery London Big Ben Big Ben London Palace of Westminster Palace of Westminster London Victoria and Albert Museum Victoria and Albert Museum London The London Eye The London Eye London Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square London Tate Modern Tate Modern London British Museum British Museum London Tate Britain Tate Britain London Natural History Museum Natural History Museum London Science Museum Science Museum London Millennium Bridge Millennium Bridge London St. Paul’s Cathedral St. Paul’s Cathedral London The National Portrait Gallery The National Portrait Gallery London Covent Garden Covent Garden London Royal Opera House Royal Opera House London Neal's Yard Neal's Yard London Piccadilly Circus Piccadilly Circus London Soho Soho London Hyde Park Hyde Park London Regent's Park Regent's Park London Richmond Park Richmond Park London Kew Gardens Kew Gardens London Greenwich Park Greenwich Park London Royal Obervatory Greenwich Royal Obervatory Greenwich London Leadenhall Market Leadenhall Market London Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre London Old Royal Naval College Old Royal Naval College London Borough Market Borough Market London Camden Market Camden Market London Portobello Road Market Portobello Road Market London Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum London Guildhall Art Gallery Guildhall Art Gallery London William Morris Gallery William Morris Gallery London Sky Garden Sky Garden London Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey London Kensington Palace Kensington Palace London Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace London St. James's Palace St. James's Palace London Clarence House Clarence House London Imperial War Museum Imperial War Museum London Jewel Tower Jewel Tower London Museum of London Museum of London London Sir John Soane's Museum Sir John Soane's Museum London Wallace Collection Wallace Collection London Courtauld Gallery Courtauld Gallery London National Maritime Museum National Maritime Museum London Queen's House Queen's House London BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir London London The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities London Design Museum Design Museum London Bank of England Museum Bank of England Museum London Churchill War Rooms Churchill War Rooms London Florence Nightingale Museum Florence Nightingale Museum London Postal Museum Postal Museum London Museum of Childhood Museum of Childhood London Jewish Museum London Jewish Museum London London St James's Park St James's Park London Green Park Green Park London Hampstead Heath Hampstead Heath London Battersea Park Battersea Park London Holland Park Holland Park London Barbican Centre Barbican Centre London Charles Dickens Museum Charles Dickens Museum London Brixton Academy Brixton Academy London Brick Lane Market Brick Lane Market London Columbia Road Columbia Road London Spitalfields Market Spitalfields Market London Maltby Street Market Maltby Street Market London Sherlock Holmes Museum Sherlock Holmes Museum London Madame Tussauds London Madame Tussauds London London London Dungeon London Dungeon London Hampstead Pergola Hampstead Pergola London SEA LIFE SEA LIFE London ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo London Crystal Palace Park Crystal Palace Park London Dennis Severs' House Dennis Severs' House London Wilton's Music Hall Wilton's Music Hall London Electric Cinema Electric Cinema London God's Own Junkyard God's Own Junkyard London Museum of Brands Museum of Brands London Cartoon Museum Cartoon Museum London Severndroog Castle Severndroog Castle London Eltham Palace Eltham Palace London Fulham Palace Fulham Palace London Lambeth Palace Lambeth Palace London Royal Observatory Greenwich Royal Observatory Greenwich London Hampstead Observatory Hampstead Observatory London UCL Observatory UCL Observatory London Norman Fisher Observatory Norman Fisher Observatory London King’s Observatory King’s Observatory London Serpentine Gallery Serpentine Gallery London Whitechapel Gallery Whitechapel Gallery London Camden Art Centre Camden Art Centre London South London Gallery South London Gallery London The Photographers’ Gallery The Photographers’ Gallery London Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art London Dulwich Picture Gallery Dulwich Picture Gallery London Institute of Contemporary Arts Institute of Contemporary Arts London King’s Gallery King’s Gallery London Newport Street Gallery Newport Street Gallery London

User attributes