Venue Information
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
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
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 NewsMore >
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.
Theatre Previous Shows
Past shows that have played at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre include:
Dancing at LughnasaHex
Small Island
The Normal Heart
Saint George and the Dragon
Follies
The Beaux' Stratagem
Everyman
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
James III: The True Mirror
James II: Day of The Innocents
James I: The Key Will Keep The Lock
Treasure Island
A Small Family Business
Medea
Emil and The Detectives
Antigone
The Cherry Orchard
FELA!