Your adventure through this concrete maze

Explore the NT

A free, self-guided tour of the National Theatre – inside and out – for schools and families.

For children aged 7+, with their grown-ups. Print this guide at home. Bring it, and a pencil, with you to the National Theatre. The tour should take approximately 90 minutes and can be completed in any order.

A free, self-guided tour of the National Theatre – inside and out –

Anyone can explore this fascinating building.

This booklet helps you to discover the history and architecture of the National Theatre building, and describes how we present so many plays.

We make up to 30 productions a year and most things you see on stage are created in this building. Over 1,000 people work for the NT.

The National Theatre Company started life in 1963. While this building was being built, the National Theatre performed plays at the Old Vic Theatre, about 15 minutes’ walk away from here.

The NT building was opened by The Queen in 1976.

Did you know?

Did you know?

We make up to 30 productions a year and most things you see

Did you know?

The National Theatre Company

Did you know?

The Olivier is the largest theatre, seating 1,160 people. It was designed to resemble an ancient Greek theatre and is namedafter the NT’s � rst Director, Laurence Olivier.

The Lyttelton is a traditionally shaped theatre that can seat up to 890 people.

The Dorfman is the most � exible theatre, as we can change where the stage is. It can seat up to 450 people.

When you see these symbols

When you see these

Map

Sackler Pavilionand Box Offi ce

Lyttelton Lounge(Level 1)

Bookshop and ground fl oor foyer

Wolfson Gallery(level 1)

Clore Learning Centre, Dorfman Theatre and Sherling High-Level Walkway

LytteltonMax Rayne Centre

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S

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W

Write or draw

Discuss

Look

Welcome to the National Theatre

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River T

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es

Map

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The Understudyand Kitchen

Olivier (level 2)

The Temporary Theatre was built in 2013 as an additional performance space while the Dorfman Theatre was being refurbished. It can seat around 250 people. It won’t be around for long – so make sure you enjoy a show in there soon!

Denys Lasdun designed the National Theatre. He was a modernist architect. What do you think this means?

It took him and his team six years to design the building, and it went through many changes. More changes have happened to the building very recently.

Walk around the outside of the building and � nd out where these photographs from the past were taken. Jot down the differences between the photo and what you see today. Use the compass and the map to help you.

Your mission:

TheTheThenn NowNowNow

Then and NowThen and Now

NENENENENENE

It took him and his team six years to design It took him and his team six years to design

Find where this photograph was taken and complete the picture. What do you notice?

Look through the windows of the Max Rayne Centre, at the back of the building. What do you think goes on in this space?of the building. What do you think goes on in this space?goes on in this space?

NWNWNWNWNWNW

SESESESESESE

Foyer TrailUncover the history inside the NT

Take a walk around the indoor foyers. Follow the route here and see if you can answer the questions as you go along.

Your mission:

Start here!Begin your journey at the Box Offi ce. 1

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Can you read the Roman numerals to work out when the stone was laid?

What is on today?

Take a pencil rubbing, in the space above, of a pattern that interests you.

Continue your journey to the Bookshop entrance. Look at the wall to the right of the Bookshop. Can you see any interesting patterns? How do you think they were made?

Can you � nd where this picture was taken? Why do you think William Shakespeare was chosen to be remembered? Can you spot a member of royalty nearby?

Turn around and look to the left, near the windows – � nd a sculpture of a head.

Go up the curved staircase to the Lyttelton Lounge. Look at the exhibition – choose a fact that you � nd interesting and write it down.

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Look at the exhibition

Whose head is this? Where have you seen his name before?

Have a look over the balcony into the foyer below. How many different things can you see people doing?

Lasdun called the foyer areas the ‘fourth auditorium’. Why?

Return to the ground � oor. Take the lifts by the main entrance to level 1. Walk up the stairs past the Wolfson Gallery and up to the Olivier Stalls. What do you see that reminds you of a castle?

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The London Eye?

The Houses of Parliament?

St Paul’s Cathedral?

The Southbank Centre?

The Oxo Tower?

Return to the ground � oor. Take the lifts

Take the lift to Level 3,the Olivier Circle.

Finish your tour by stepping out onto the Baylis Terrace on Level 3. Can you fi nd:

on Level 3. on Level 3.

Can you fi nd:

A walk backstage

Go along the walkway, answering our questions as you go. There are lots of material samples on the exhibition boards for you to touch.

Your mission:

What can you see? Look through the windows. This is the Dorfman Theatre storage area (the shutters might be closed), and the Olivier scenic lift, which carries scenery from the workshops up to the rear stage.

How much does the Drum Revolve weigh?

Look at the exhibition display about the Drum Revolve and read the description.

Turn left, and follow the walkway until it grows wider. Stop and look at the exhibition boards. These tell you all about how a production is made.

Find the section about the white-card model, which is a miniature version of a set.

What scale is it built at?

Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve panel to your right when panel to your right when panel to your right when panel to your right when panel to your right when panel to your right when panel to your right when panel to your right when panel to your right when you enter the walkway. you enter the walkway. you enter the walkway. you enter the walkway. you enter the walkway. you enter the walkway. you enter the walkway. you enter the walkway. you enter the walkway.

A walk backstageA walk backstage

What can you see?Look through the windows. This is the Dorfman Theatre

Start at the Drum Revolve Start at the Drum Revolve panel to your right when panel to your right when 1

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panel to your right when

Why do you think the shutters here are so tall?

Look at the exhibition display

1 : _ _

and follow the walkway until

shutters here are so tall?

Head outside the building, so that you have the river in front of you. Turn right and walk along the right (east) side of the building, past stage door, to the Dorfman Theatre. Enter the foyer, go up to the � rst � oor and take the stairs, through the door signposted The Sherling High-Level Walkway.

You are now backstage! This walkway shows you our production workshops for making sets, painting scenery and making props.

Read about rehearsals.

How long does an average rehearsal period last, in weeks?

What’s the difference between Prop-making and Prop-buying?

Touch some samples. Which is your favourite? What is it made from? Why do you like it?

Who was Max Rayne?

Go through the doorway and then stop by the glass windows. This is the Props department. To your right is the Assembly Area. This is where the stage set is put together before it goes onto the stage. Behind the Assembly Area you may be able to see the Carpentry workshop.

Why do you like it?

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Find a prop that interests you. What do you think it is? What do you think it is made of?

Carry on along the walkway. Before you go through the next doorway, look to the right. This is Drum Road. There are shutters here that lead to rehearsal rooms and workshops for making sets.

Stand quietly for a moment. What sounds can you hear?

Stand quietly for

How long does an average rehearsal period

onto the stage. Behind the Assembly Area you may be able to see the Carpentry workshop.

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Touch some samples. Which is your favourite?

Now carry on to the room at the end of the walkway. Through the windows you can see the Scenic Studio. This is where we paint the sets.

between Prop-making and

onto the stage. Behind the Assembly Area you may be able

GlossaryArchitect – The name given to someone who designs

a building, including theatres

Armoury – This is the workshop for swords, guns and special effects that are used on stage

Auditorium – The part of the theatre building where you’ll fi nd the audience seats and stage

Call – The time that an actor must be ready

Drum Revolve – A circular section in the middle of the Olivier stage that moves up and down, and revolves to create amazing effects

Ensemble – A group of actors

Patron – A person who gives fi nancial and other support to a person, organisation or cause

Armoury – This is the workshop for swords, guns and Armoury – This is the workshop for swords, guns and Armoury – This is the workshop for swords, guns and

Sight lines – Are the different views the audience have of the stage

ArchitectArchitect – – a building, including theatres

Auditorium – The part of the theatre building Auditorium – The part of the theatre building

GlossaryThe name given to someone who designs The name given to someone who designs The name given to someone who designs The name given to someone who designs

Ensemble – A group of actorsEnsemble – A group of actorsEnsemble – A group of actorsEnsemble – A group of actors

Explore the NTDevised by Jessica Bowerman, Daniel Girton and Billy Perrin for NT LearningCo-ordinated by Jackie TaitEdited by NT PublicationsDesigned by Emma Shore

PhotographyWelcome to the National Theatre – map designed by Mark Fisher and Emma Shore– Olivier Theatre during a reset of Our Country’s Good, designed by Peter McKintosh (Photo: Sarah Corke)– Lyttelton Theatre during a reset of Jane Eyre, set design by Michael Vale (Photo: Sarah Corke)– Dorfman Theatre ‘end-on’ (Photo: Philip Vile)– During a reset of People, Places and Things, set design by Bunny Christie (Photo: Sarah Corke)– Temporary Theatre (Photo: Philip Vile)

Then and Now– Laurence Olivier and Denys Lasdun (Photo © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS)– NT Future Model produced by Kandor Modelmakers to designs by Haworth Tompkins. (Photo: Sarah Corke)– Goods In (Photo: NT Archive)– The Terraces (Photo: Donald Mills / NT Archive)– Cottesloe Avenue (Photo: Richard Bryant / NT Archive)– The Max Rayne Centre (Photo: Philip Vile)– The NT’s symmetrical staircase (Photo: Emma Shore)

Foyer TrailFoundation stone (Photo: Sarah Corke)Arrow slit (Photo: Sarah Corke)Other photography by Sarah Corke

Patron – A person who gives fi nancial

Sight lines – Are the different views the Sight lines – Are the different views the Sight lines – Are the different views the Sight lines – Are the different views the

Fit-up – A period of time when every part of the production’s set is brought into the theatre and built on the stage

and other support to a person, and other support to a person, and other support to a person, organisation or causeorganisation or causeorganisation or causeorganisation or causeorganisation or cause

WordsearchNATIONALTHEATREDORFMANOLIVIERLYTTELTONLASDUNARMOURYPROPSCOSTUMEWIGSET

True or FalseThe National Theatre was designed by

Laurence Olivier. 12 All props are made at the NT.

Answers on the back page

3 The National has seven theatres in the main building.

4 There are about 30 productions on

throughout the year.

5 Over 1,000 people work for the NT.

6 The NT is sent 300 scripts a year by playwrights.7 There are 75,000 costumes, from every

period imaginable, for hire from the NT costume store.

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What would the building look like?

How many peopledoes your theatre seat?

True or False answers1 – F. 2 – F (only some props are made at the NT). 3 – F. 4 – T. 5 – T. 6 – F (3000). 7 – T.

How many people need to work there and do they work in of� ces, workshops or big studios?

You might want to think about some or all of these things:

Now that you’ve explored the National Theatre and learned how things work, how about designing your own theatre for your local area when you get home?

What materials would you use to make it sturdy and long-lasting for people to enjoy for years to come?

What would you include in the public spaces, like shops, cafés, or exhibitions? What else?

building look like?

And how would you make it kindto the environment?

What would the building look like?

And how would you make it kindAnd how would you make it kind

these things:

Now that you’ve explored the National Theatre and learned how things work, how about designing your

You’ve completed your missions!

We hope you’ve enjoyed it. If you want to learn more about making theatre, there are lots more fun things you can do here at the National Theatre:

Take a Backstage Tour. These run every day. You can book spaces with a group or with your family. A tour guide will show you around parts of the theatre that are not normally open to the public and share some theatre secrets. nationaltheatre.org.uk/tours

Book an activity in the Clore Learning Centre, a dedicated learning space for people of all ages to get hands-on with theatre-making. nationaltheatre.org.uk/learn

Take a digital tour. Hidden Stages: for families and small groups (children aged 7-12). Discover the National Theatre’s fourth stage – the setting for your own stories. The terraces, foyers and staircases of this giant building form a backdrop to scenes and stories that you and your group will create as you explore. You’ll be guided at every step of the tour, and at the end, you’ll have a storyboard of pictures that capture your very own production at the National Theatre. Free to download from the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

Read at home. National Theatre: All About Theatre: a richly illustrated book published by Walker Books, which gives an insight into how theatre is made, from writing a play to its � rst performance. On sale at £14.99 from the NT Shop. nationaltheatre.org.uk/allabouttheatre

What Next?