Skip to Content

NT : Discover : Backstage : Lighting and special effects : Special effects

Armoury (Overview)

Armoury (Overview)

About

Often the National Theatre's productions are full of thrilling, action-filled scenes that require weapons and dramatic effects in order to bring them to life. As a result the National Theatre has an Armoury Department to ensure that all weapons look authentic and that effects are spectacular and yet carried out safely.

People featured in this video include:
Paul Wanklin, Senior Armourer

Transcript

Paul Wanklin: Hi, I'm Paul from the National Theatre Armoury Department. We deal with everything here from the swords, the firearms and replica weapons to special effects, special props and pyrotechnics. We'll go through and we'll take you through some of the guns and swords. The swords we store out here the guns we store in another room where they are kept under lock and key.

In one of the other clips you will see us using some pyrotechnics on stage, these are professional pyrotechnics for professional use only, they are potentially very dangerous and should not be tried at home.

Share This Page

Your Visit

  • Getting Here

    getting here

    Your guide to getting to the National Theatre on the South Bank

  • First Time Visitor

    First time visitors frequently asked questions, image of audience

    FAQs from people who have not been to the National Theatre before

  • Food and Drink

    Image of fruit, cheese and cured meats

    Restaurants, Cafes and Bars at the National Theatre

  • Backstage Tours

    People on a Backstage Tour

    Behind the scenes tours, up to six times a day

  • Front of House

    Image of person interacting with the Big Wall

    Free exhibitions and music, interactive Big Wall, spacious foyers