Welcome to National Theatre

  • Man and Superman

    by Bernard Shaw

    ★★★★★
    ‘Out of this world. Ralph Fiennes flies high as Bernard Shaw’s Superman.’ Metro

    Man and Superman is sold out except for Day Tickets and possible returns.

    Broadcast live to cinemas on 14 May at 7pm Find your nearest venue

    Man and Superman poster, with Ralph Fiennes. Photography by Juergen Teller

  • The Red Lion

    a new play by Patrick Marber

    Passion. Loyalty. Salvation.

    Patrick Marber returns to premiere a fifth play at the National Theatre, where his previous work includes Dealer’s Choice and Closer.

    Tickets now on sale

    The Red Lion. Blurred figure holding a football in a doorway, lit from behind

  • Dara

    1659, Mughal India.

    A family at war.
    An empire in the balance.

    Adapted by Tanya Ronder from Shahid Nadeem's play, originally performed by Ajoka Theatre, Pakistan.

    ★★★★
    ‘Beautifully acted. Visually sumptuous.’
    Time Out

    Now playing

    Dara. Photography by Seamus Ryan

  • Treasure Island

    by Robert Louis Stevenson
    adapted by Bryony Lavery

    ★★★★
    'Spectacular. Daring. Fun for all the family.' Time Out

    Good seats available at the National this month.

    Treasure Island production image

  • Behind the Beautiful Forevers

    a new play by David Hare
    based on the book by Katherine Boo

    ★★★★
    'David Hare’s adaptation of Katherine Boo’s acclaimed study of a Mumbai slum breaks new ground for the National' Observer

    Extra dates added. Best availability end of February.

    Behind the Beautiful Forevers. Collage of a boy on a rubbish heap with a passenger jet flying overhead

  • Win one of six money-can’t-buy experiences


    To celebrate the National Theatre's six new, independent places to eat, drink & shop, we have teamed up with our amazing suppliers to offer six money-can't-buy prizes.

  • Treasure Island poster image
  • Behind the Beautiful Forevers. Collage of a boy on a rubbish heap with a passenger jet flying overhead
  • Man and Superman poster, with Ralph Fiennes. Photography by Juergen Teller
  • Dara. Photography by Seamus Ryan
  • The Hard Problem
  • Rules for Living. Instruction image for combining people and objects
  • Everyman - a figure in a bleak space with cartoon finger pointing down at his head
  • Parades banner for Light Shining in Buckinghamshire
  • The Beaux' Stratagem - Portrait of an 18th century woman, collaged and retouched
  • The Red Lion. Blurred figure holding a football in a doorway, lit from behind
  • The Motherf**cker with the Hat. Illustration of a head with a hat but no face
  • Beyond Caring. Curtains against a wall
  • We Want You to Watch. Female head with wide open mouth and wide open mouths for eyes
  • An Oak Tree. Instructional diagram of one male figure raising and lowering another with their hand, as if by magic
  • Brainstorm. Teenage boy with blue exploding head
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
  • War Horse
  • NT Live Frankenstein image
  • JOHN, a co-production with DV8 Physical Theatre. Photo of Hannes Langolf by Ben Hopper
  • Treasure Island poster image
  • Behind the Beautiful Forevers. Collage of a boy on a rubbish heap with a passenger jet flying overhead
  • The Hard Problem
  • Man and Superman poster, with Ralph Fiennes. Photography by Juergen Teller
  • War Horse on Tour - close up of horse's eye, with sketch of horse and rider just below
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time on Tour: photo of Christopher with title of show
NT Future transformation

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Featured Content

Discover more about the art of making theatre by exploring our video collection on theatre practices and practitioners.

NT Channel

  • Women in Greek Theatre

    This film explores the role of women in Ancient Greek society and the representation of female identity in Antigone, Women of Troy and Medea.

    More info

  • National Theatre: On Demand. In Schools

    From September 2015, classrooms across the UK will be able to stream the National Theatre’s smash-hit productions of Hamlet, Othello and Frankenstein for free.

    More info

  • Dara documentary

    Nadia Fall, Tanya Ronder and Shahid Nadeem talk about the National Theatre production of Dara and the Mughal history the story is based on.

    More info

  • Modern Interpretations of Greek Chorus

    Discover more about the theatre of Ancient Greece, with this film that examines the role of the chorus, a defining aspect of the plays that emerged there between 500BC and... More info