Royal National Theatre

The Royal National Theatre of Great Britain is a building and theatre company on London's South Bank, located immediately east of the southern end of Waterloo Bridge. Housing three separate auditoria - the Olivier Theatre (named for the theatre's first artistic director, Sir Laurence Olivier), the Lyttelton Theatre (after Oliver Lyttelton, the first chairman of the Theatre), and the Cottesloe Theatre (for Lord Cottesloe, chairman of the South Bank Theatre Board) - it was designed by architect Sir Denys Lasdun and opened in 1976. The honorific "Royal" was added to the name in c.2000 but many people feel it is redundant, and choose to ignore it.

Related Topics:
London - South Bank - Waterloo Bridge - Sir Laurence Olivier - Oliver Lyttelton - Architect - Denys Lasdun - 1976

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The largest space, the Olivier Theatre, is the main auditorium and was modelled on the ancient Greek theatre at Epidaurus; it has an open stage and a fan-shaped audience seating area for about 1150 people. The Lyttleton Theatre is a proscenium arch design holding up to 890 people. The Cottesloe Theatre is a small adaptable studio space holding up to 300 people.

Related Topics:
Ancient Greek - Epidaurus - Proscenium arch

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The National Theatre presents a highly varied programme including Shakespeare and other classics, new plays by leading contemporary playwrights, and revivals of classic musicals.

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