Royal National Theatre (London)

 theatre, 1977_construction, Grade II* Listed (UK), Modern (architecture)

The National Theatre on the South Bank in the London Borough of Lambeth, England is immediately east of the southern end of Waterloo Bridge. The National Theatre's building was designed by architect Sir Denys Lasdun and its theatres opened individually between 1976 and 1977. In the years from 1963, before the company's permanent home on the South Bank was completed, the National Theatre Company, as it was then usually termed, was based at the Old Vic theatre in Waterloo.

The honorific "Royal" was added to the name in 1988, after a campaign by Max Rayne, retiring chairman of the NT board, to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the company’s inauguration (and Rayne’s own departure from office). The change was opposed by the theatre’s director, Richard Eyre, who feared that productions would become too “worthy” as a result. The addition was quietly dropped (but never officially rescinded) when Rayne retired.[1][2] Most British theatre-goers still refer to both the company and venue as The National Theatre, frequently abbreviated to "The National".

The National Theatre presents a highly varied programme, including Shakespeare and other classics, new plays by leading contemporary playwrights, and revivals of classic musicals. Each auditorium in the theatre can run up to three shows in repertoire or repertory, thus further widening the number of plays which can be put on during any one season.

website: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

The National Theatre London was founded between 1963 and 1976 and houses three auditoriums - Olivier, Cottesloe and Lyttelton.
www.nationaltheatrelondon.com

Details on the National Theatre's Entry Pass scheme: www.londontheatreticketscheap.com