The National’s three theatres have distinct spatial characteristics; the Olivier is a large open stage auditorium, based on the theatre at Epidaurus in Greece, and seats 1150. The Lyttelton is a proscenium theatre, seating 890, and the Dorfman, a studio theatre space with flexible seating up to 500. The two large spaces were designed with significant technical stage equipment; stage elevators and revolves and scenic powered flying, some of which is still in use, and modernised or replaced. The National’s main building uses Tri-Generation M&E Systems to provide heating and cooling. Energy efficient gas boilers, a Combined Heat and Power Plant, Absorption Chiller and evaporative cooling towers make up these systems. We abstract a portion of our mains water from the local aquifer passing it through a RO treatment Plant. Through innovation and improved control, we have improved our energy rating from G in 2011 to B in 2019. We have two other sites; The NT Studio is next to the Old Vic in The Cut. Built originally as the NT’s construction workshops, it now houses our New Work department, with rehearsal and writers’ spaces and the NT’s archive, and is Grade 2 listed. The Hire Department Stores contain all the costumes and props from National Theatre productions for recycling into new productions and operates as a successful commercial enterprise. The department is based in two leased properties within Kennington Park Business Centre. The two properties total 17870 sq. m. (1000 sq. m. Costume and 787 sq. m. props). Together the facilities enable the organisation to deliver a complex and busy production schedule of circa 20 productions a year across the NTs three stages, supporting the work of circa 1,000 staff and 1,000 artists and creative people to present theatre, and welcoming circa 700,000 audience members plus many more hundreds of thousands of non-audience customers each year to enjoy our building, our external spaces and their facilities. The NT has committed to being carbon neutral by 2030.
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