Named for the first Director of the National Theatre, and also one of Britain’s greatest actors, Lawrence Olivier, this huge auditorium is the largest of the three theatres at the National and also boasts he most sophisticated stage on the planet, the Drum Revolve, which extends four stories below the basement of the theatre and allows eight completely distinct sets to be loaded up like a jukebox for any one performance.

This incredible power of illusion is only occasionally used for productions like Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. The National has the confidence and theatrical brio to stage other shows like the recent Henry IV Part One, where the only props were a chair and table.

Seating nearly 1200 people, the Olivier is not the most comfortable theatre in the world, and you should call ahead to get appropriate seats if you are over 6’4”. However, the productions staged are of such a universally high caliber that it is rare to hear an audience member comment on their leg room – at its best, the National is absolutely electrifying. Besides, they always have intervals in their productions which means the shell shocked audience can stretch their leg on the terraces overlooking the Thames and eat those delicious ice creams you only get at the theatre.

This is what British stage drama is all about.


To view events at the subsidiary Lyttleton Theatre, click here

To view events at smallest Cottesloe Theatre, click here