Royal National Theatre

The Royal National Theatre, founded by Laurence Olivier in 1963, is a major performing arts venue on London's South Bank, adjacent to the Southbank Centre. Its building next to the Thames houses three auditoria that originally programmed up to three shows in repertoire, though post-2020 it shifted to straight runs. The theatre presents a varied programme including Shakespeare, international classics, and new works by contemporary playwrights, and tours productions across the UK and internationally. Visitors can attend live performances in one of the auditoria, or experience National Theatre Live simulcasts broadcast to cinemas worldwide. The venue also offers a video-on-demand streaming service, National Theatre at Home, with rentals and subscriptions. On-site amenities include restaurants, bars, and a bookshop, making it a destination for a full evening out. The theatre has transferred numerous productions to Broadway and toured as far as China, Australia, and New Zealand.