What

The Lyttelton Theatre is one of three auditoriums located inside the National Theatre London which is Britain’s largest theatre complex. Located on London’s South Bank near to the London Eye and next to the River Thames, the National Theatre was designed by architects Sir Denys Lasdun and Peter Softley, with the Lyttelton opening in 1976.

The Lyttelton is the second biggest auditorium inside the compound, and can accommodate 890 people on two levels which are the Stalls and the Circle. It was named after the first board chairman of the National, Oliver Lyttelton and is known for its striking proscenium-arch design which is an extremely modern feature compared to other London auditoriums. Previously, the Lyttelton has been home to plays such as The Madness of George III in 1991 starring Sir Nigel Hawthorne and The History Boys which premiered in 1991 and starred actor and TV presenter James Corden. Today, the Lyttelton hosts numerous exciting and successful plays on its stage. Shows frequently change at the National to allow for new and upcoming plays to take to the stage, and in 2011, several new shows have been booked until April.

Already showing at the Lyttelton and booked until 13th March 2011, is Seasons Greetings by Alan Ayckbourn, which presents an entertaining look into the ups and downs of an average family Christmas, where members of the Bunker family are seen fighting over toys, and cheating at board games, and reassuring the rest of us that our families are quite normal, after all! With great reviews and starring TV comic Catherine Tate in one of the lead roles, it has been said to be one of Ayckbourn’s greatest and funniest plays. If you are feeling somewhat festive, then this may be a show that you are considering seeing.

From 25th January 2011 and booking until 2nd April, the Lyttelton will see the world premiere of Greenland, which is a new piece of documentary theatre that asks questions about the future of our planet and its environmental health. The team of four distinct British playwrights – Moira Buffini, Matt Charman, Penelope Skinner and Jack Thorne – has interviewed important individuals from the worlds of politics, philosophy, science and business to try to understand our relationship with Earth. Combining facts and drama, several separate but related narratives are displayed on stage for audiences to watch and to try to answer some of the most important questions of today.

The shows that grace the three stages of the National Theatre London are constantly changing as the auditoriums make way for new and upcoming talent, and by April, several other plays will have been lined up to play for the remainder of the year at the Lyttelton Theatre. The upcoming shows until April, however, have been announced and if you would like to book National Theatre London tickets to see one of these exciting shows, or any other at one of the complex’s three auditoriums, then visit the National theatre’s official website.

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