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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Frequently Asked Questions

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 >

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’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.