National Theatre, London

Venue Information

Also see:

The National Theatre
Address: Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PX
Nearest Underground or Train Station: Waterloo (Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line)
Nearest Buses: 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68, RV1

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the The National Theatre?

Public transport is recommended to travel to the The National Theatre. The nearest underground or train stations are Waterloo (Jubilee line, Northern line, Bakerloo line). If arriving by bus, then the nearest bus lines are 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68, RV1 . For directions to the The National Theatre see our Google Maps directions or Apple Maps directions.

Is there a dress code at the The National Theatre?

There is no specific dress code at the The National Theatre, with most people just wearing their everyday clothes.

Does the The National Theatre have air conditioning or air cooling?

Yes, the The National Theatre has an Air Conditioning system.

What is the Accessibility at the The National Theatre?

The National Theatre accessibility information
Access phone number: 020 7452 3000
Access email address: boxoffice@nationaltheatre.org.uk / access@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Accessible toilets situated: Foyers - 9, including Understudy Bar
Number of Wheelchair spaces: Stalls (x5 in Olivier, x4 in Lyttelton, x2 in Dorfman)
Sound amplification: Induction Loop in Olivier and Lyttelton, Sennheiser Infrared in Olivier, Lyttelton and Dorfman
Access from street to foyer: Level access
Access from theatre foyer to seats (number = stairs): 1 to back of Olivier, 0 to back of Lyttelton and Dorfman, All have steps leading down towards the front
Level access: Lyttelton and Dorfman
Stair lift, lift or ramp available: Lifts to all levels

The National Theatre Facts

What date did the The National Theatre open?

22 October 1963

Who designed the The National Theatre?

Sir Denys Lasdun and Peter Softley

What was the first production at the The National Theatre?

Hamlet

The National Theatre News
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Dear England at the National Theatre – Full casting and rehearsal photos revealed

Stage Spy: Is The Motive and the Cue transferring to the West End?

The Motive and the Cue – in pictures

The Motive and the Cue Reviews ★★★★

The Father and the Assassin at the National Theatre – casting announced

The Effect to be revived at the National Theatre starring Paapa Essiedu & Taylor Russell

Roald Dahl’s The Witches musical to premiere at the National Theatre starring Katherine Kingsley & Daniel Rigby

Dancing at Lughnasa Reviews ★★★★

Photos: The Motive and the Cue rehearsals at the National Theatre – in pictures

National Theatre to stage new Grenfell Tower drama

Standing at the Sky’s Edge to transfer to the West End’s Gillian Lynne Theatre

Janie Dee to join Johnny Flynn, Tuppence Middleton, Mark Gatiss in The Motive and the Cue at the National

Romeo and Julie Reviews ★★★★

National Theatre revival of The Crucible to open in West End

James Graham play Dear England to star Joseph Fiennes at the National Theatre

Standing at the Sky’s Edge Reviews ★★★★

Phaedra Reviews – National Theatre ★★★★

Photos: Phaedra rehearsals starring Janet McTeer & Assaad Bouab

First Look: Romeo and Julie rehearsals starring Callum Scott Howells & Rosie Sheehy

Kerry Jackson reviews – National Theatre ★★

Theatre History

The National Theatre was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 25 October 1976.

The complex of theatres that make up the National Theatre consists of three main stages: The Olivier Theatre, the Lyttelton Theatre, and the Dorfman Theatre.

The National Theatre company was founded by Laurence Olivier in 1963, and until 1977 was based at The Old Vic theatre. It then moved to its permanent new home on the Southbank.

The current building complex on the Southbank is Grade II listed, and was designed by architects Sir Denys Lasdun and Peter Softley and structural engineers Flint & Neill.