National Theatre (Dorfman)

Capacity400 Seats

Seating Tiers3 Levels

Venue SizeSmall

About The Venue

The Dorfman Theatre, formerly the Cottesloe, is the most intimate and flexible of the National Theatre's three auditoriums on the South Bank. Renamed in 2015, it features a highly adaptable thrust stage, fostering a close connection between performers and audience. It is renowned for showcasing new writing, experimental productions, and smaller-scale works, playing a crucial role in the National Theatre's innovative programming.

Seating

Occupying the floor of the auditorium, the Pit houses the majority of the audience and features highly customizable seating mounted on automated elevators. This advanced technology allows the space to be reconfigured in under 30 minutes into a steep rake for optimal overhead sightlines, a shallow slope, or folded away entirely to create a flat floor. Sitting here offers an incredibly intimate and intense connection to the performers, though because the layout changes per production, the physical location of 'Row A' will vary depending on the play. Thanks to a major refurbishment, these seats are exceptionally comfortable and provide generous legroom, with step-free wheelchair spaces seamlessly integrated into the design.

Toilets

Gents and Ladies: Stalls and Circle levels. Accessible: Dorfman foyer and Stalls level.

Bars

Cafe/bar in Dorfman foyer/auditorium; Bars at Stalls and Circle levels.

Cloakroom

Dorfman foyer (ground floor); Open one hour before performances; £1.50 per item (free for access equipment/medical supplies).

Box Office

Dorfman foyer (ground floor), open one hour before performances.

Stage Door

On Stage Door Avenue, on the east side of the National Theatre, near the Dorfman entrance.

Location

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National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

Directions

The National Theatre (Dorfman) is located on the South Bank. The nearest Tube station is Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines), which is approximately a 5-7 minute walk. Waterloo East is the nearest Overground station, also a short walk away. Numerous bus routes stop on Waterloo Bridge, Stamford Street, and Waterloo Road, all within easy walking distance.