National Theatre marks 50 years of South Bank building with storytelling tribute
The National Theatre has unveiled plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its South Bank home with a new installation and digital guide featuring personal stories from past performers and key figures associated with the venue.
The National Theatre is marking five decades since moving into its purpose-built South Bank building with Stories Start Here: 50 Stories for 50 Years. The free installation outside the building will showcase personal stories from stars who have performed at the venue alongside memories from Laurence Olivier, Peter Hall, and the theatre’s architect Denys Lasdun.
Visitors will be able to explore these stories via the National’s digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, allowing global audiences to engage with the anniversary celebrations. Inside the theatre, a story station will randomly dispense short stories printed on eco-friendly paper, giving visitors a tangible memento of the milestone.
Confirmed actors involved include Hugh Jackman, Lesley Manville, Lucian Msamati, David Oyelowo, Imelda Staunton, and Jim Carter. The installation is designed and fabricated by La Cuarta Piel and co-curated by Sarah Hemming and the National’s special projects producer Katurah Morrish.
In conjunction with the celebrations, a new apprenticeship named in honour of Denys Lasdun has been launched to support emerging theatre-makers, craftspeople, and technicians. This initiative reflects the National’s commitment to fostering the next generation of theatre professionals.
The South Bank building, designed by Denys Lasdun and completed between 1969 and 1976, was the National Theatre’s first purpose-built home after 13 years at the Old Vic. Though initially divisive, the Grade II listed 250,000-square-foot structure is now recognised as a key example of brutalist architecture.
Indhu Rubasingham, director and co-chief executive of the National Theatre, highlighted the building’s role as a gathering place where “artists, audiences and communities have come together to share stories that help us understand ourselves and one another.” She emphasised the importance of public access and artistic excellence converging in this space.
The celebration of the National Theatre’s South Bank home underscores the continuing relevance of theatre as a collective experience amid a fragmented modern world. The anniversary initiative offers both a reflection on the venue’s history and a gesture towards its future cultural impact.
