Nations Theatre Visit

what we saw backstage at the national theatre.

while on a backstage tour of the national theatre we had a detailed tour of the theatre and the facilities they have to offer. Also we learnt a lot about the history of theatre such as  when it was build? how many theatres space they have and how many seat the theatres had?.
the national theatre was first open in 1976 and it was designed by Denys Lasdun, it also has 3 main theatre and 1 temporary theatre. One of the main theatre is called the Olivier theatre which had 1160 seat and 180 peripheral vision which I thought was pretty cool because if you stood in that spot you were able to see everyone in theatre, it was one of the theater most prized advantage compare other theatres. The Olivier theatre also had lot of space for props  and sets for example they could hide away sets over the stage so they audience cant see it and then later on in the show they can reveal it to make it look like the whole set has changed.


In addition to visiting the Olivier theatre we also visited the Lyttlelton theatre and the Dorfman theatre which was smaller the Olivier theatre but was still quite impressive in its own way, which every theatre having qualities that makes it special for example the Lyttleton theatre was designed in a L shape form which made it easy for the stage crew to move and change whole sets quickly however the Dorfman theatre was smaller than both theatre but the advantage was that the audience could close and personal with the plays in that theatre due to it being compact.


 My favorite part of the tour was when we went back stage of the Olivier theatre right behind the stage, it was an amazing feeling to be there and to think that some day I would be able to perform on that theatre. I also enjoy visiting the designing department of the theatre because it was impressive to see how they created all the props and sets they use and to make it looks very realistic for example they was a ship for the play that was going on right now, it look like old wood but it was actually metal the designer worked hard to make it look realistic as possible and had done a great job with it.


Also I found out the national theatre has very large rehearsing rooms for the actors and actresses when they are going to be performing a show. Each cast keeps that room until they are ready for the real show and the room is based on the theatre they will be performing in, so if they are performing in the Olivier theatre they rehearsal rooms will be the size of the theatre or close to the same size as it. They also give each cast a temporary set based on the real one they will be using but as well designed, this is so that they cast will be familiar with the set by time they are ready to perform.