National Theatre to launch 50th anniversary installation
A wooden structure on the Queen's Walk will feature fifty historical stories from the South Bank landmark starting in October 2026.
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The National Theatre will host a free outdoor installation on the Queen's Walk to mark 50 years at its South Bank location. The project, titled Stories Start Here: 50 Stories for 50 Years, is scheduled to open in October 2026. It will use a wooden structure inspired by the amphitheatre seating of the Olivier Theatre to present fifty historical narratives from the building's history.
A legacy of Brutalist design
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The show, funded by the Art Fund’s £5.36 million Going Places programme, will travel to Wales, the Lake District and Scotland after its six‑month run.
The Grade II listed building was constructed between 1969 and 1976. While the Brutalist structure divided opinion upon its opening, it is now considered a landmark of the style due to its textured concrete and riverside terraces. Before moving to this purpose-built site, the company was based at the Old Vic for 13 years, according to the BBC.
The building has been a place where artists, audiences and communities have come together to share stories.
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Skills and technical training
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Alongside the anniversary celebrations, the theatre is launching a new apprenticeship programme. Named after the architect Sir Denys Lasdun, the scheme will provide training in mechanical and electrical engineering through the NT Skills Centre. The centre currently trains thousands of people across the UK in partnership with Bank of America.
The installation was created by the design collective la cuarta piel and co-curated by Financial Times theatre critic Sarah Hemming. Visitors can listen to recordings of actors, writers, and staff members, which will also be accessible via the Bloomberg Connects app. Executive director and co-chief executive Kate Varah noted that the theatre faces significant capital and modernisation needs, similar to other major cultural institutions in the UK.
Questions this report answers
+What will the new installation look like?
The installation will feature a wooden structure inspired by the Olivier Theatre's amphitheatre seating. It will present fifty historical narratives from the building's history on the Queen's Walk starting in October 2026.
+Who is Sir Denys Lasdun and what is he known for?
Sir Denys Lasdun was the architect of the National Theatre's Brutalist building. A new apprenticeship programme named after him will offer mechanical and electrical engineering training through the NT Skills Centre.
+How can visitors experience the stories in the installation?
Visitors can listen to recordings of actors, writers, and staff members. These recordings will also be accessible via the Bloomberg Connects app for broader reach.
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