The Royal National Theatre now stands on London's South Bank, one of the most culturally significant areas of the capital. The first production ever performed by the Royal National Theatre was Hamlet in 1963 with Peter O'Toole as Hamlet and directed by Sir Lawrence Olivier. The Royal National Theatre spent the first thirteen years of its life at the Old Vic before moving to its current address in 1976. The building was designed by Sir Denis Lasdun and consists of three auditoriums. The largest of the auditoriums was named after Olivier The Arts Council England partially funds the Royal National, though more than half of the funds to run the venue are self generated. The Olivier stage is the largest at the National. The Cottesloe is the smallest, a studio style auditorium. The Proscenium-staged Lyttleton stage is the most versatile and conventional stage of the three. Backstage tours of the Royal National are available if you book in advance. The site is also well equipped with a bar and restaurant facilities. The Royal National is currently under redevelopment as part of the South Bank project. The theatre is also involved with the community- offering free productions in the foyer and educational evenings.
