The National Theatre is commemorating five decades at its South Bank location with a public art installation titled Stories Start Here: 50 Stories for 50 Years. The installation will debut on the Queen’s Walk in October 2026 and will feature an outdoor wooden structure inspired by the Olivier Theatre’s amphitheatre seating, positioned to face the main building.
The installation will allow visitors to sit and listen to accounts shared by actors, writers, directors, designers, current and former staff members, and audience members reflecting on the venue’s history. A story station within the theatre itself will print the narratives on environmentally friendly materials as keepsakes, while the recordings will also be distributed globally via the Bloomberg Connects app.
Beyond the installation, the theatre is establishing a new apprenticeship program named for Sir Denys Lasdun, the building’s original architect. The apprenticeship will focus on mechanical and electrical engineering skills necessary for the building’s upkeep and will operate through the NT Skills Centre, which works with Bank of America to train thousands of individuals across the United Kingdom annually.
The National Theatre occupied the Old Vic for 13 years before transferring to its custom-built structure, which was completed between 1969 and 1976. The Grade II listed building was constructed with distinctive textured concrete, riverside outdoor areas, and three performance spaces. Initially contentious upon completion, the structure has since become recognized as a significant example of brutalist architecture.
The design collective la cuarta piel developed the installation with co-curation from Financial Times theatre critic Sarah Hemming. Arup and Sir Robert McAlpine, both contributors to the original construction, are supporting the anniversary commemoration.
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