National Theatre

The Olivier, a thrust stage modelled on the theatre at Epidaurus with a drum revolve beneath it

Opened in 1976 and called a nuclear power station by one prince and a masterpiece by most architects since, the National holds three theatres of different shapes inside one concrete structure: the thrust-staged Olivier, the proscenium Lyttelton and the flexible Dorfman. Its foyers are open all day, free, with live music most evenings and the best riverside people-watching in the city.

The programme mixes new writing with classics staged at a scale commercial theatre cannot attempt, and the broadcast arm sends productions to cinemas worldwide, which means you can see here what you will watch on a screen at home two years later.