The Lyttelton Theatre is one of three venues that make up the National Theatre complex on London’s South Bank, alongside the Olivier Theatre and Dorfman Theatre. The theatre, which opened in 1977, is the only one of the three spaces to use a traditional proscenium arch stage and has a capacity of 890. The entire complex was designed by the architects Denys Lasdun and Peter Softley and utilises a Brutalist style with extensive use of concrete throughout the building and auditoriums.
The theatre is named after Oliver Lyttelton, who was the National Theatre’s first chairman when the company was in residence at the nearby Old Vic. He remained in this position until 1971, before serving as President until his death in 1972. He was one of the most prominent campaigners for the development of the National Theatre’s permanent home on the South Bank.
Many critically-acclaimed and award-winning plays have premiered in the Lyttelton Theatre, including Alan Bennett’s The History Boys , David Hare’s Amy’s View starring Judi Dench, and the 2018 production of The Lehman Trilogy which later transferred to the West End and Broadway.
