The National Theatre Company was founded in 1962 with Laurence Olivier as the director, with the intention to present British dramatic art in the domestic area and in foreign countries, as well as inviting other European theatres to England. Its original home was the Chichester theatre and the Old Vic theatre but soon the company decided to set up their own building in London. The Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre Committee with Olivier as a member formed a building committee to plan the creation of a building befitting the rank of the National Theatre Company.
The building committee faced the task to find an architect for the project. With the help of the Royal Institute of British Architects it organized a competition with three hundred participants and chose twenty in the end for the final round in which Denys Lasdun was unanimously chosen as the architect. He had never designed a theatre before. This very demanding task took him, his partner Peter Softley and his team over a decade to fulfil.
The National Theatre was opened in March 1976 with the first play. Together with the concert halls Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, the Museum of the Moving Image, the National Film Theatre and the Hayward Art Gallery for modern art it represents the center of cultural life around the south bank of the Thames.
The following paper deals with the architecture of the National Theatre, especially with the floor plan and the architect’s design and intentions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Denys Lasdun - Life and Influences
3. The Exterior of the National Theatre
4. The Interior of the National Theatre
4.1 The Olivier Theatre
4.2 The Lyttelton Theatre
4.3 The Cottesloe Theatre
5. Conclusion
Research Objective and Scope
This paper examines the architectural design and conceptual intentions behind the National Theatre in London. It explores how the architect Denys Lasdun integrated public space, social interaction, and theatrical function into a cohesive structure, while analyzing the specific design characteristics of its three main performance houses.
- Historical background and development of the National Theatre Company.
- Architectural philosophy and the influences of Denys Lasdun.
- Exterior design, the concept of "strata," and the building's role in the cityscape.
- Detailed analysis of the Olivier, Lyttelton, and Cottesloe theatres.
- Evaluation of the success of the building as a cultural and social center.
Excerpt from the Book
3. The Exterior of the National Theatre
The National Theatre is located a little downstream from Waterloo Bridge on the South Bank of the Thames where the river begins to turn into Kings Reach and bends towards the city.
The main decisions influencing the architecture of the building were made between 1964 and 1967 and therefore it comprises ideas that “have been guiding Denys Lasdun for about two decades and coincide with the maturity of his architectural language.” The most remarkable features of the final plan were typical stylistic elements like the expression of an interior hierarchy, the 45-degree inflection of the main axis and the integration of public circulation.
The National Theatre is undoubtedly a landmark in London’s cityscape, big, forceful and completely made of bare concrete, which was the only material capable of supporting the terraces and big apertures. The concrete is whitish-grey, bare and unadorned throughout the whole building.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the founding of the National Theatre Company and the architectural competition that led to the selection of Denys Lasdun as the project's architect.
2. Denys Lasdun - Life and Influences: Profiles the architect’s career, highlighting his roots in the Modern Movement and the stylistic influences of Le Corbusier and English Baroque.
3. The Exterior of the National Theatre: Analyzes the building's concrete aesthetic, the horizontal "strata" design, and the controversy surrounding its construction and reception.
4. The Interior of the National Theatre: Explores the internal spatial organization and the functional distinctions between the three individual theaters.
4.1 The Olivier Theatre: Details the central, bowl-shaped auditorium and its design based on the Greek theatre in Epidaurus.
4.2 The Lyttelton Theatre: Describes the proscenium-style house characterized by its technological flexibility and adjustable stage.
4.3 The Cottesloe Theatre: Focuses on the smallest, most experimental studio space designed for maximum flexibility.
5. Conclusion: Assesses the success of the project in fulfilling its dual role as a high-performance theatrical venue and a vibrant public social center.
Keywords
National Theatre, Denys Lasdun, Architecture, London, South Bank, Modern Movement, Concrete, Olivier Theatre, Lyttelton Theatre, Cottesloe Theatre, Strata, Cultural Heritage, Theatre Design, Urban Planning, Performance Spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the architectural design of the National Theatre in London, specifically analyzing Denys Lasdun's vision and how the building functions as both a performance venue and a public space.
What are the core themes explored in this work?
The core themes include the adaptation of Modernist architectural principles, the interaction between public/private space, the evolution of theatrical design, and the integration of the building into the London urban landscape.
What is the research objective of the study?
The primary objective is to investigate the architect's intentions, particularly the use of concrete and "strata," and how these elements facilitate social interaction and artistic performance.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The research is based on architectural analysis and historical documentation, utilizing primary design descriptions, architectural theory, and critiques of the period.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the biography of Denys Lasdun, an analysis of the building's exterior and its symbolic "strata," and a detailed examination of the three distinct theatres: the Olivier, the Lyttelton, and the Cottesloe.
How can the key concepts of this work be defined?
The work is defined by terms such as Modern Movement, architectural hierarchy, public circulation, studio theatre, and urban integration.
How does the architecture of the Olivier Theatre reflect classical influences?
The Olivier Theatre is arranged in a bowl shape that intentionally reflects the design of the ancient Greek theatre in Epidaurus to create an intimate, focused relationship between the actors and the audience.
What is the significance of the "strata" concept in Lasdun's design?
The "strata" represent landscape formations and "streets in the air," intended to connect the theatre to the city and allow the building to function as an extension of the urban public space.
- Quote paper
- Peer Medau (Author), 2003, The Architecture of the National Theatre, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/14669
