The National Theatre complex
This bleak looking concrete building on the Thames, houses 3 theatres that together make up the National Theatre complex. They are the Olivier Theatre, the Lyttelton and the Cottesloe Theatre and they vary in size and design. The National Theatre is not like a west end theatre, its remit is not about glitzy shows. Instead it brings new and exciting works to the stage and the cream of Britain’s acting talent fall over themsleves to be in them. If you’re interested in how a theatre works, the Backstage Tour is absolutely fascinating and we can thoroughly recommend it. You get to see all three theatres and walk on the stages, plus see how the scenery and props are made, and moved around and you see the building in a new light too. You might not find it very attractive from the outside, but once you’ve seen how it functions and why it was designed that way, we actually started to like it! The National Theatre tour is part of our “Top Tip” for London in our free London City Guide.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NATIONAL THEATRE
The tours are priced at £6 for adults with concessions and family tickets available too. They run up to 6 times a day Monday to Friday, twice on Saturday and once on a Sunday at 10.15am, 10.30am, 12.15pm, 12.30pm, 5.15pm and 5.30pm. Not all tours run on all days and they book up fast, so we recommend you book your tour in advance. Each tour lasts about 1hr 15mins. For the best ticket pries for the Royal National Theatre, book via their own website below or their Box Office phone line. This avoids all booking fees and can save you quite a lot of money!
ADDRESS
The National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7452 3000
The National Theatre roofline
ROYAL NATIONAL THEATRE LINKS
National Theatre website
Wikipedia
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