Here, at the National Theatre, led by one of our expert guides, you can journey behind the scenes to discover how we create our world-class productions. We spent some time getting to know the team.

Can you tell us about your background, or what you do when not leading tours?

Noor El Huda Bashir: I’m a recent graduate from King’s College London, having just completed a master’s degree in International Conflict Studies. When I’m not leading tours I do a lot of freelance research work with policy think tanks focusing on the Middle East and North Africa, as well as writing for various political science and international relations journals.

Andrew Candish: I worked for a decade in international development, telling the stories of the developing world through UK media. I loved telling stories so much that I decided to train as an actor and when I’m not leading tours I work as an actor and voiceover artist.

George Staines: I have been in the entertainment business all my life, with work ranging from producing a very large-scale medieval banquet, both in London and Florida, to playing a very nasty hit man for Ken Loach, via my involvement in London’s traditional Irish music scene.

Busa Wickramasuriya: I am a 19-year-old actor, currently studying at the Brit School and so when I am not doing tours I am normally in school or working front of house here as well.

What is your favourite space to visit or thing to tell people about on tours?

Noor: I love getting to talk about cultural representation in theatre and I find the theatre spaces to be the best place to talk about it – I can refer to different plays that have been on in each of our three theatres and get into the details of why each space suits particular work.

Andrew: I love the Sherling Backstage Walkway (which is open to the public). It gives you a bird’s eye view of the National Theatre workshops and from it you can see sets, props and scenic art being made. It’s an ever-changing scene of work in progress for upcoming productions. Seeing new ideas develop and the techniques the theatre-makers use is endlessly inspiring.

Tell us about the best, or most unusual, thing that’s happened while on a tour.

Noor: I became quite well acquainted with a particular cast over the course of my tours as I would be in the Dorfman during the end of their warm-ups every Saturday. On the final tour that I did during their time at the National Theatre they erupted into cheers and applause and gave my tour group a surprise mini performance as a sort of goodbye gift to me.

George: Not so much on a tour, but as a result – a young person from Latvia on a public tour, asked about contacting the Archive after I’d talked about it. To cut a roundabout story short, she is about to start a volunteering position there for a few months! She wrote me a delightful letter of thanks.

Andrew: The stage crew quite often seem to be listening to the tours, because sometimes I’ll be talking about something specific that a set does, or a particular lighting effect and it will suddenly happen right there on stage!

What’s coming up at the National Theatre that you’re particularly excited about?

George: I’m looking forward to James Graham’s new play, Dear England, which is about the Gareth Southgate managership of the England football team. I have read the script already and it made me laugh out loud several times, always a good sign first time round.

What to you is the best thing about being a National Theatre tour guide?

Noor: By far the people – from the people who come on my tours from all walks of life and backgrounds, to the people I work with. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by consistently thoughtful and like-minded individuals who teach me something new every single day.

Andrew: I love demystifying the building. It’s a remarkable place which constantly creates amazing work. Having the opportunity to explain how it all works, what we do and why it is, I hope, inspiring.

Busa: I think it’s being allowed to learn so much about this amazing building and the people that have made it and continue to make it as special as it is. I love getting to then share that knowledge with people in a way that means something more than intellectually, but culturally too.

Take a guided tour of the National Theatre and discover the secrets of one of the most iconic buildings on the South Bank.

For more information or to book a Group Guided Tour, contact tours@nationaltheatre.org.uk