Royal National Theatre
South Bank, London

The NT is the only British Theatre founded by an act of Parliament, following a 130 year-long campaign for an institution to match the great European theatre companies which predate it. When Denys Lasdun's design was completed in 1976, its three theatres, Lyttelton (proscenium), Cottesloe (adaptable studio) and Olivier (open stage) were named after the NT's first chairman Oliver Lyttelton, the chairman of the South Bank Board Lord Cottesloe, and artistic director Laurence Olivier.

By then, Peter Hall had replaced Laurence Olivier and guided the NT a little north from its temporary home at the Old Vic for the lavish complex of workshops, rehearsal rooms and offices at the south side of Waterloo Bridge. The policy of playing in repertoire continued.

Sir Peter Hall and Lord Olivier on the terrace of the National Theatre

In 1984, the NT was funded mainly by the Arts Council of Great Britain's government grant, the late Greater London Council and the proceeds from tickets, bookshop and catering. Some would say that the NT's modestly paid employees also made their contribution. Throughout this time my salary, made up from a basic fee plus extra for each performance, never topped 500 pounds sterling.

After three productions, Peter Hall's invitation to head a group of actors within the NT repertoire re-established the partnership with Edward Petherbridge which had initiated the Actors' Company.  — Ian McKellen, October 1999

Ian McKellen, and Edward Pethebridge, 1980s