National Theatre, London
The National Theatre is three theatres in one building on the South Bank, and a whole lot more besides. The first thing to check is which one your show is in, the Olivier, the Lyttelton or the Dorfman, because that decides where you sit, what you pay and which door you use. You can make an evening of it without leaving: there are cafés, bars and a restaurant inside. Below is how to get here, how to find your way in, and where to eat nearby.
- Olivier, around 1,100 seats. The big one, fanned around an open stage, through the river doors.
- Lyttelton, around 890 seats. The traditional one with a proscenium arch, also through the river doors.
- Dorfman, up to 450 depending on the layout. The small one that changes shape, with its own door on the east side.
Quick facts
- Address: National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
- Nearest station: Waterloo, 5 to 7 minutes on foot
- Three theatres: Olivier, Lyttelton and Dorfman
- Two main entrances: the riverside doors for the Olivier and the Lyttelton, Stage Door Avenue on the east side for the Dorfman
- Building opens: 10am, Monday to Saturday. Arrive 30 minutes before the performance, no later
- Cashless throughout, including the car park
- Tickets: all-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay
What's on at the National Theatre
Three theatres running at once, so there is almost always a choice of two or three shows on any given night.
Olivier
- The Story, to 24 October 2026
- The Jungle Book, 13 November 2026 to 6 February 2027
- Suddenly Last Summer, 19 February to 24 April 2027
- West Side Story, a revival announced for next winter with dates still to be announced
Lyttelton
- Electra/Persona, to 10 October 2026
- Cloud 9, 2 November 2026 to 13 January 2027
- Mr Loverman, 25 February to 24 April 2027
Dorfman
- Some Woman, 7 October to 21 November 2026
- The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, 2 December 2026 to 23 January 2027
- Samira, 4 February to 13 March 2027
Start times vary from show to show, so check them on the production you're booking, or call us on 020 7193 9050 and we'll read them out, along with what's left on your date.
What tickets cost at the National Theatre
Our pricing is all-in, so the price you see is what you pay. Call us on 020 7193 9050 and we will tell you what is left on your date and which of it is the better seat for the money.
What you pay depends on which of the three theatres you are in:
- Olivier: most seats from around £50 to around £100, and premium seats from around £120
- Lyttelton: most seats from around £40 to around £70
- Dorfman: most seats from around £45 to around £80
Prices also move with demand, so a Saturday costs more than a midweek performance and an exact band cannot be promised months out.
There are no day seats here. The National does not hold tickets back for release on the morning, so there is no queue to join and nothing to get up early for. Seats do come back from other customers, sometimes on the day, and they go back on sale at their normal price.
Book National Theatre tickets
All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.
Choose your theatre
Olivier Theatre
The Olivier Theatre is the biggest of the three theatres inside the National Theatre on the South Bank, where The Story is playing until 24 October 2026, and it is the fan-shaped one. There is no arch and no curtain between you and the stage, and the seats step up around it in two tiers holding around 1,100 people. The other two are the Lyttelton and the Dorfman.
Now: The Story
Dorfman Theatre
The Dorfman is the National Theatre's studio theatre, on the South Bank, and the smallest of its three: up to 450 people, depending on how it's laid out. If you were looking for the Cottesloe, this is it: same theatre, new name since 2014.
Now: Some Woman
What's on at the National Theatre
Olivier Theatre →
3 productions
Dorfman Theatre →
3 productions
National Theatre FAQs
Is the Olivier Theatre the same as the National Theatre?
The Olivier is one of the three theatres inside the National Theatre building, and the largest of them. The other two are the Lyttelton and the Dorfman. Your ticket names the one you are in, and it matters, because the seating plans are completely different and the Dorfman has its own entrance.
What are the three theatres at the National Theatre?
The Olivier at around 1,100 seats, the Lyttelton at around 890, and the Dorfman at up to 450 depending on how it has been laid out for the production. The Olivier wraps around an open stage, the Lyttelton is the conventional one with a proscenium arch, and the Dorfman is rebuilt into a new shape for nearly every show.
Is the National Theatre part of the Southbank Centre?
No. It is its own organisation in its own building on Upper Ground, a few minutes east of the Southbank Centre's concert halls along the river walkway. Same stretch of the South Bank, different address and separate ticketing.
Where is the National Theatre Studio?
The Studio is a different building, at 83-101 The Cut, SE1 8LL, on the other side of Waterloo, and it is where the Archive lives. If you have a ticket for a performance, you want Upper Ground SE1 9PX on the riverside.
Is there a dress code at the National Theatre?
No, so wear whatever you are comfortable in. Jeans and trainers are absolutely fine, and nobody will look twice.
Can I bring children to the National Theatre?
Children under four are not admitted to any of the three auditoriums unless the production is one of the selected family shows that says otherwise, though they are welcome in the foyers. Anyone aged 12 or under has to be with an adult.
Can I pay with cash at the National Theatre?
No. The whole building takes card only, and so does the car park. It catches people out at the interval, so do not rely on cash for a drink.
Can I take a bag into the National Theatre?
A bag smaller than 50cm x 30cm x 20cm can come into the auditorium with you. Anything bigger goes to the cloakroom on the ground floor, which costs £1.50 an item and opens an hour before the performance. Every bag is searched on the way into the building.
Is there wifi at the National Theatre?
Yes, free throughout the foyers, on a network called NT Public with no password. Download your tickets before you set off anyway rather than relying on it in a queue.
Can you go backstage at the National Theatre?
Two ways. The Sherling Backstage Walkway runs above the workshops and is free with no booking, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 to 6pm, reached from the Dorfman foyer. Guided Tours go further in, through the carpentry, props and paint shops and all three auditoriums, and those are booked and paid for. The walkway can close at short notice, so ring the building before making a trip of it.
Can I book National Theatre tickets by phone?
Yes, call us on 020 7193 9050 and we will do it with you. It is worth doing on this building in particular, because the same price can buy a very different seat depending on which of the three theatres your show is in.