National Theatre - Olivier Theatre London | Theatres in London

Venue Information

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National Theatre - Olivier 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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What's on at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre?

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Hex

Booking until: 14 January 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

What's on at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre?

Hex is a current production at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre. The latest booking period for Hex at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre started 26 November 2022 and runs until 14 January 2023. Tickets for Hex start at £24 and are available to book now

How do I get to the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre?

Public transport is recommended to travel to the National Theatre - Olivier 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 National Theatre - Olivier Theatre see our Google Maps directions or Apple Maps directions.

Is there a dress code at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre?

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

Does the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre have air conditioning or air cooling?

Yes, the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre has an Air Conditioning system.

What is the Accessibility at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre?

National Theatre - Olivier 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

How many seats are in the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre?

The National Theatre - Olivier Theatre has 1,150 seats.

National Theatre - Olivier Theatre Facts

What date did the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre open?

4 October 1976

Who designed the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre?

Sir Denys Lasdun and Peter Softley

What was the first production at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre?

Marlowe's Tamburlain

National Theatre - Olivier Theatre News
More >

Photos: Othello starring Giles Terera at the National Theatre

Othello reviews at the National Theatre starring Giles Terera ★★★★

National Theatre announces new shows for 2023

Sam Mendes casts Johnny Flynn, Tuppence Middleton, Mark Gatiss in The Motive and the Cue by Jack Thorne at the National Theatre

The Boy with Two Hearts Reviews at the National Theatre ★★★

Blues for an Alabama Sky Reviews starring Samira Wiley & Giles Terera at the National Theatre ★★★★

Janet McTeer to play Phaedra at the National Theatre, more 2023 shows announced including Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Romeo & Julie

Othello at the National Theatre reveals final casting

The Crucible at the National Theatre. Photo by Johan Persson

The Crucible Reviews at the National Theatre ★★★★

Hex at the National Theatre full cast announced

First Look Photos: The Crucible at the National starring The Crown’s Erin Doherty

Photos: Blues for an Alabama Sky starring Samira Wiley and Giles Terera – in rehearsal

All of Us Reviews at the Dorfman, National Theatre ★★★

The Motive and the Cue – new play by Sam Mendes & Jack Thorne to open at the National Theatre in 2023

Jack Absolute Flies Again reviews – National Theatre 2022 ★★★★

Much Ado About Nothing reviews – National Theatre, London 2022 ★★★★

Much Ado About Nothing starring Katherine Parkinson – photos

Jack Absolute Flies Again at the National Theatre – first look photos

National Theatre add Kerry Jackson starring Fay Ripley and Othello starring Giles Terera to Winter Season 2022 / 2023

jack Absolute Flies Again, National Theatre

Peter Forbes joins the cast of Jack Absolute Flies Again at the National Theatre

Theatre History

The National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre is named after Sir Laurence Olivier, the original Artistic Director of the National Theatre Company at the Old Vic and one of Britain’s most famous and accomplished actors.

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

The Olivier Theatre is the largest of the three theatres at the National with two main tiers of steeply raked seats, flanked by side-banks on a higher level − sweep down to the open stage.

The Olivier saw its first performance on 4 October 1976, with Christopher Marlowe’s Tamburlaine The Great, directed by Peter Hall with Albert Finney in the lead.