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The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the Noël Coward Theatre

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane

Based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman, our smash-hit production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane returns to the West End this October for seven weeks only.

11 October — 25 November 2023

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Noël Coward Theatre

Standing at the Sky's Edge at the Gillian Lynne Theatre

A young man in a white t-shirt is singing into a microphone, one arm outstretched. Behind him, other people are holding microphones on stands and singing.

Standing at the Sky's Edge

The multi-award winning new musical is now storming the West End, following sold-out runs at the National Theatre and Sheffield Theatres.

8 February — 3 August 2024

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Gillian Lynne Theatre

River Stage 2024: National Theatre

A group of vibrant and diverse individuals cheer enthusiastically in bright, summer attire at an outdoor event. Their expressions range from joyous singing to excited clapping, capturing a moment of collective enjoyment in the sunshine.

National Theatre

Join us as we bring River Stage 2024 to a close for another year.

River Stage: Friday 26 - Sunday 28 July

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The Motive and the Cue at the Noël Coward Theatre

The Motive and the Cue

Following a highly acclaimed, sold-out run at the National Theatre, and named Best Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, The Motive and the Cue transfers to the West End for a strictly limited 15-week run.

9 December 2023 — 23 March 2024

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Noël Coward Theatre

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Cookies

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Visit guidelines

Sucker Punch on tour

Sucker Punch on tour

This tender, bruising and funny play by leading British dramatist Roy Williams, brilliantly explores being young and black in the 80s.

30 March — 24 June 2023

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National tour

Dancing at Lughnasa

A group of women dancing exuberantly, kicking up dust around them, smiling, wearing light cotton dresses and skirts

Dancing at Lughnasa

Brian Friel’s Olivier Award-winning play is an astonishing evocation of a family’s world on the brink of change.

6 April — 27 May 2023

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Olivier Theatre

The Odyssey: Episode 5 - The Underworld

An illustration of a child holding a lantern by moonlight on the edge of cliff overlooking a calm sea.

The Odyssey: Episode 5 - The Underworld

The final act of our new multi-venue nationwide production of The Odyssey. Created with our Public Acts partners, this episode will be a full-scale musical written by Chris Bush and with music by Jim Fortune played out on the Olivier stage.

26 — 28 August 2023

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Olivier Theatre

The Motive and the Cue

Two men (Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn) stand back to back, with pensive expressions, each with one hand raised to their mouth.

The Motive and the Cue

Sam Mendes directs Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn in the fierce and funny new play.

20 April — 15 July 2023

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Lyttelton Theatre

Wuthering Heights

3 February — 19 March 2022

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Lyttelton Theatre

Phaedra

Writer-Director Simon Stone (Yerma, Young Vic) reimagines Seneca’s famous tragedy in this striking new play.

1 February — 8 April 2023

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Lyttelton Theatre

Romeo and Julie

Two 18-year-olds raised a few streets apart – but from entirely different worlds – crash into first love and are knocked off their feet.

14 February — 1 April 2023

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Dorfman Theatre

Standing at the Sky's Edge 2023

Three women, of mixed age and race, leaning against railings on a walkway in a block of flats.

Standing at the Sky's Edge

A love letter to Sheffield and a history of modern Britain of the last six decades, set to the irresistible songs of Richard Hawley. Winner of Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards and 2020 South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre.

9 February — 25 March 2023

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Olivier Theatre

60 years on stage

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60 years on stage

River Stage 2024: The Glory

Two drag artists in black outfits performing on a stage.

The Glory

The Glory brings a dazzling lineup of DJs, Drag, Cabaret and theatre makers to River Stage 2024.

River Stage: Friday 5 - Sunday 7 July

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River Stage 2024: Rambert

A dancer captured mid-motion against a pale blue background, her pose expressing dynamism and grace. She is dressed in a pastel pink sports bra and high-waisted shorts with a white long-sleeved shirt flowing behind her.

Rambert

The brilliant Rambert dance company presents exciting dance performances, fun family workshops, and live music to keep you moving.

River Stage: Friday 19 - Sunday 21 July

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Skills Centre: Scenic Art Course

A young person dressed in a black top paints a piece of scenery using a roller. A tub of paint is next to them with more scenery in the background of the workshop.

Skills Centre: Scenic Art Course

Find out more about our in-person Scenic Art course, led by artists from the National Theatre’s Scenic Art team. The course is suitable for anyone aged 16-19 with an interest in developing their skills as a painter, scenic artist or with an interest in set design.

Applications now closed

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In Focus: Alterations

Three people stand among colorful clothes on hangers. The person in the middle, eyes wide, reaches outward while the others, on either side, hold onto them. The scene is vibrant with red, yellow, and orange hues.

In Focus: Alterations

Whether you have a keen interest in theatre, or you’ve never been to the National Theatre before, our In Focus workshops offer a welcoming environment for an in-depth look at our shows.

Applications are now closed

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Filming and Photography

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Filming and Photography

Othello

An extraordinary production of Shakespeare's most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer.

Until 21 January 2023

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Lyttelton Theatre

Dr Semmelweis at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Mark Rylance stares straight at us, arms folded, holding a scalpel. Behind him, a blurred image of women dressed in white, dancing.

Dr Semmelweis at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Mark Rylance stars as maverick doctor Ignaz Semmelweis in this 'compelling new drama' (Telegraph) directed by Tom Morris. Playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 29 June.

29 June — 7 October 2023

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Harold Pinter Theatre

Grenfell: in the words of survivors at St Ann's Warehouse

Grenfell: in the words of survivors

The powerful new verbatim play, from the testimony of residents at the heart of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, will be performed in Brooklyn, NY

13 April — 12 May 2024

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St Ann’s Warehouse

Archive Unboxed Tours

A row of labeled poster tubes is stacked on a red filing cabinet.

Archive Unboxed Tours

The Archive Unboxed Tours give you a chance to get hands-on with history and include an overview of what the Archive collects and what it does. There is also a chance to see our public research spaces and basement stores.

Until 22 July 2025

Info & Tickets for Archive Unboxed Tours

Skills Centre: Prop Making Course

A person is focused on painting a wooden object, wearing a lanyard and gloves. Colorful flowers and plants are blurred in the background, giving the setting a workshop or creative studio vibe.

Skills Centre: Prop Making Course

Find out more about our in-person Prop Making course, led by artists from the National Theatre’s Prop Making team. The course is suitable for anyone aged 19 and over, with an interest in learning detailed skills in paint finishes for prop making.

Applications close on Monday 7 April, 10 am

Info & Tickets for Skills Centre: Prop Making Course

Back to school

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Back to school

A major new project in collaboration with North Kensington communities

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A major new project in collaboration with North Kensington communities

National Theatre expands its support for schools

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National Theatre expands its support for schools

Our History

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Our History

National Theatre Collection

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National Theatre Collection

Schools

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Schools

Rufus Norris to step down as Director in 2025

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Rufus Norris to step down as Director in 2025

North Kensington Takeover Day

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North Kensington Takeover Day

Young People

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Young People

Rufus Norris' Final Season

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Rufus Norris' Final Season

Hedda Gabler

Ivo van Hove directs Ruth Wilson and Rafe Spall in Patrick Marber's new version of Ibsen’s masterpiece.

12 December 2016 — 21 March 2017

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Lyttelton Theatre

The Odyssey: Episode 1 - The Lotus Eaters

A group of people dancing around a golden shaft of light leading upwards to a three-chimney building on a hill with a fire harnessed inside

The Odyssey: Episode 1 - The Lotus Eaters

Presented by Restoke, written by Gabriella Gay and the company.

30 March — 2 April 2023

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Restoke, Stoke-On-Trent

A Strange Loop at the Barbican Theatre

The ground-breaking and critically acclaimed winner of every ‘Best Musical’ award on Broadway bursts onto the stage of the Barbican this June for a one time only, limited season.

17 June — 9 September 2023

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Barbican Theatre

Grenfell: in the words of survivors

The powerful new verbatim play, from the testimony of residents at the heart of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, will be performed in Brooklyn, NY

13 July — 26 August 2023

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Dorfman Theatre

New Views Festival 2023

The New Views 2023 winning play is 3.2.1 by Keira Grierson (Oasis Academy Coulsdon) and will be presented as a staged reading on the Oliver stage directed by Ian Rickson.

6 July, 2pm

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Olivier Theatre

The Witches Adventure Trail

Head to the South Bank this half term for this free, family friendly adventure in and around our foyers.

7 November 2023 — 27 January 2024

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London Tide

Two women in thin white dresses stand in a river, soaking wet, one is pushing her hair back from her face. A low-lying city skyline and bridge are behind them in the distance.

London Tide

Ian Rickson returns to direct Ben Power's adaptation of Dickens' Our Mutual Friend, with music by PJ Harvey

10 April — 22 June 2024

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Lyttelton Theatre

Nye (2024)

A person (Michael Sheen) wearing a striped pajamas stands against a bold, dark green and black gradient background, looking upward with a thoughtful expression.

Nye

Michael Sheen is Nye Bevan in an epic Welsh fantasia about one man's dream of the NHS.

24 February — 11 May 2024

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Olivier Theatre

River Stage 2024: Greenwich+Docklands International Festival

Two performers doing an inverted hang from a trapeze, one of whom is in a wheelchair, in front of an audience with a city skyline in the background.

Greenwich+Docklands International Festival

A joyous celebration of creativity and cultural diversity at River Stage 2024.

River Stage: Friday 12 - Sunday 14 July

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Craft your River Stage

In the ground floor of the Lyttelton Lounge in the National Theatre, Adults and young people partake in craft activities around a table, with plastic sheeting on the floor, and papier maché hearts hanging up to dry in the foreground.

Craft your River Stage

As part of River Stage 2024, our Young Producers will be holding an informal ‘breakout room’ where you are invited to come and chill out in a relaxed environment, and take a break from the buzz of the festival by relaxing with some arts and crafts.

1-5pm on Saturday 13 July

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Founding the National Theatre

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