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National Theatre Collection

Classroom of pupils watching the NT Collection

The best of British Theatre is now available to stream for schools, universities, and the wider education sectorFree for all UK state schools (primary and secondary) and FE colleges

It is now an irreplaceable part of our curriculum. Thank you so much for it.

Are you a state school looking to sign up to the Collection for free? Sign up below!

Sign up to the NT Collection

More theatre magic in the classroom 

The National Theatre Collection is now bigger and better than ever, with brand new captivating plays just launched on the platform to inspire learning within the classroom, and now in UK public libraries.

Ten new titles are now available on the Secondary Collection, including curriculum classics Othello and As You Like It, world-class new writing Romeo and Julie and Dixon and Daughters, and a specially adapted version of Hamlet for primary-aged pupils. In partnership with the Unicorn Theatre, bright and imaginative new productions are available for primary students, including Greek myths and adaptations of Grimm Tales.

Teachers and students will be able to access learning resources, which include short films, synopses, key learnings and rehearsal diaries, enriching the experience of the plays in the classroom.

Othello stands centre stage on a raised platform, his fist raised, surrounded by figures in expressive poses.

Othello by William Shakespeare
Directed by Clint Dyer, photo by Myah Jeffers

Callum Scott Howells and Rosie Sheehy on stage in Romeo and Julie

Romeo & Julie by Gary Owen (co-production with the Sherman Theatre)
Directed by Rachel O’Riordan, photo by Marc Brenner

Free for UK state secondary schools & FE colleges

NT Collection title: Peter Pan
Directed by Sally Cookson, devised by the Company, based on the works of JM Barrie
National Theatre & Bristol Old Vic co-production, 2016
Photograph by Steve Tanner

The National Theatre Collection is available to stream in the classroom and at home, offering the best seats in the house whenever you want. Now home to 70 high quality filmed theatre productions from the National Theatre and other leading venues.

You will also be able to access resources, such as rehearsal notes and short films. These can help students to understand the plays and the theatre-making process. 88% of UK state secondary schools are already signed up.

Register with Drama Online

Free for UK state primary schools

Two young people with purple emails.
Play Video

NT Collection for primary schools

Our new bespoke offering for primary schools features 13 age-appropriate productions. Bringing stories to life on stage, they introduce younger children to the magic and spectacle of theatre.

Our tailored learning resources also support creative learning across the curriculum.

Register with Drama Online

Fee-paying schools & international

NT Collection title: Angels in America
by Tony Kushner, directed by Marianne Elliott
National Theatre, 2017
Photo by Helen Maybanks

The National Theatre Collection is available to UK fee-paying schools and worldwide educational institutions as a resource from Bloomsbury on their award-winning platform, Drama Online. It is also available from renowned EdTech leader, ProQuest on their digital library Alexander Street Press.

The National Theatre Collection is available as two modules, which can be purchased separately or as a full package. There are 30 productions in the first Collection, and 20 in the second. A full breakdown of the different modules are found via the links to Bloomsbury and ProQuest.

Purchasing the Collection is available in two models: a one-time payment or an annual subscription.

Register with Drama Online

Register with Alexander Street Press

Free for UK public libraries

NT Collection title: The Seagull
by Anton Chekhov (adapted by David Hare), directed by Michael Oakley
National Theatre, 2016
Photo by Johan Persson

Following a successful pilot with Wolverhampton Central Library and Peterborough Central Library, the National Theatre Collection is now also available to access for free in local public libraries across the UK to library members, making it easier than ever to watch theatre. 

Register with Drama Online

Productions

A production shot of 'Treasure Island' at the NT, featuring Patsy Ferran

Productions for primary schools

National Theatre titles

Shakespeare for younger audiences: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and The Winter’s Tale 
Literary adaptations: Jane Eyre*, Peter Pan and Treasure Island (pictured, by Johan Persson)
NT Let’s Play Programme: Story Seekers
Musicals: Hex*, I Want My Hat Back and wonder.land*

*HexJane Eyre and wonder.land contain content that may be inappropriate for young ages. However, they have been used successfully by Year 6 teachers and are included here for those who wish to use it. Content warnings are provided where applicable.

Unicorn Theatre titles

Anansi the Spider Re-Spun
Greek Myths Unplugged: Ariadne on the Beach, Jessie and the Jellybeans and Narcissus
Phillip Pullman’s Grimm Tales: Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin
In collaboration with the Roald Dahl Story Company: The Magic Finger

Productions for secondary schools: English

Shakespeare: As You Like It, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus (Donmar Warehouse), Hamlet, Julius Caesar (Bridge Theatre), King Lear (Donmar Warehouse), Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night
Literary adaptations: The Book of Dust, Everyman, Frankenstein, Jack Absolute Flies Again, Jane Eyre, Phaedra, Small Island (pictured, by Johan Persson), Under Milk Wood, The Wife of Willesden (Kiln Theatre) and Wuthering Heights 
20th century classics: A View from the Bridge (Young Vic), All My Sons (Old Vic), Les Blancs and Translations
New writing: Consent, Hex, Dixon & Daughters, Our Generation and Shut Up, I’m Dreaming (The PappyShow)

A production shot of Ashley McGuire in 'Top Girls', directed by Lyndsey Turner, National Theatre 2019 featuring Ashley McGuire as Dull Gret standing on a table

Productions for secondary school: Drama & Theatre Studies

Greek tragedy: Antigone and Medea
American classics: A Streetcar Named Desire (Young Vic), Angels in America, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Young Vic) and Les Blancs
20th century classics: The Deep Blue Sea, Top Girls (pictured, by Johan Persson) and Trouble in Mind
European classics reimagined: The Cherry Orchard, Hedda Gabler, Three Sisters, The Threepenny Opera and Yerma (Young Vic)
Contemporary plays: Barber Shop ChroniclesChewing Gum Dreams, The Great Wave, Julie, Rockets and Blue Lights and Romeo & Julie 
Verbatim theatre: Home

A production photo of 'wonder.land' at the National Theatre in 2015 featuring a female actor dressed in an Alice costume with an actor dressed in a large silver suit holding an umbrella and another actor dressed in a school uniform

Productions for Technical Theatre & Production Arts

Greek tragedy: Paradise
Classic comedies: One Man, Two GuvnorsShe Stoops to ConquerLondon Assurance
New writing: This HouseDaraAfter Lifewonder.land (pictured, by Brinkhoff/Moegenburg)

FAQs

Is the NT Collection available to watch from home?

In partnership with Bloomsbury Publishing, the NT Collection is available from home, for free, by students in UK state-funded schools. Students will be able to watch all 70 productions via Drama Online. They will also be able to access learning resources and short form video content.

I’m a student, how do I get more information or sign up for this?

The registration form must be filled out by a member of staff at your school. Please get in touch with one of your teachers to ask about gaining access.

Our funders

Contact us

Jane Ball
Education Manager

Ceri Davies
Project Manager, Digital

Brontë Thomasson
Project Coordinator, Digital

You can contact the NT Collection team on ntcollection@nationaltheatre.org.uk

For questions relating to the sign-up process, please email ntcollection@jcsonlineresources.org