Unlike most West End venues, the National Theatre isn’t a single auditorium – it’s three separate spaces under one roof, each with its own shape, scale and programme running side by side. Which one you’re headed to changes the whole experience, so it’s worth checking before you book.
The largest of the three, seating 1,150 in an open, fan-shaped amphitheatre inspired by the ancient Greek theatre at Epidaurus. It’s used for large-scale drama and spectacle, and there’s genuinely not a bad seat in the house thanks to the steep, close rake.
A more traditional proscenium-arch theatre seating 890, split between Stalls and Circle. It suits a wide range of work, from classic drama to new writing, with a clear, straightforward view from most seats.
The smallest and most flexible space, seating up to 500 depending on configuration. It’s used for new and experimental work, often staged in the round or traverse, putting you right up close to the performance.
The National Theatre sits on the South Bank, right by the Thames. The nearest tube station is Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines), about a 10-minute walk along the river, with Waterloo also serving as a major National Rail hub.
The National Theatre Company was founded by Laurence Olivier in 1963, initially performing out of the Old Vic before moving into its purpose-built home on the South Bank in 1976. The building was designed by Sir Denys Lasdun and Peter Softley in a distinctive Brutalist style, and is now Grade II* listed.
Unlike the commercial West End theatres nearby, the National is a publicly subsidised institution, with support from Arts Council England alongside ticket sales and donations funding its work. It stages a genuinely wide mix of Shakespeare, international classics and new writing across its three auditoria, and in 2009 launched NT Live, streaming productions to cinemas around the world. Indhu Rubasingham became Director in April 2025.
The National Theatre is led by Director Indhu Rubasingham, who took over the role in April 2025. It’s a publicly subsidised institution, supported by Arts Council England.
The National Theatre Company was founded in 1963, and its current South Bank building opened in 1976.
There are several shows running alongside each other at the National Theatre, due to there being three seperate theatres. Take a look at the top of this page to see what is playing right now.
NT Live is the National Theatre’s cinema broadcast programme, launched in 2009, which streams its productions to cinemas around the world.
Yes, as a purpose-built modern venue the National Theatre offers step-free access throughout all three auditoriums.
It depends which auditorium you’re in. The Olivier’s Circle is the one to note – it’s quite steeply raked with handrails on all the aisles, and up to 18 steps down from the level-access back row (G) to the front (A). The Lyttelton and Dorfman have much shallower, more gently stepped seating throughout, and lifts serve all the public levels of the building itself. If a steep circle isn’t for you, ask for Olivier Stalls or a Lyttelton/Dorfman seat, or call the box office (020 7452 3961) for tailored advice.
Waterloo is the closest, about a 10-minute walk along the South Bank.
It depends on the show rather than personal preference, since each production is staged in a specific auditorium – check which one your chosen show is in when booking, as the Olivier, Lyttelton and Dorfman each offer a very different kind of space.
You can book tickets for all three National Theatre auditoriums directly through the official National Theatre website. I’d always recommend booking through the theatre’s own site or a trusted official retailer to avoid inflated resale prices.
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