Lyttelton Theatre, London
The Lyttelton Theatre is the middle auditorium at the National Theatre on the South Bank, and Electra/Persona is playing here until 10 October 2026. It has around 890 seats on two levels, a proper proscenium arch, and straight rows facing the stage. It is the conventional one of the three.
If you are choosing between the front of the Circle and the back of the Stalls at a similar price, we would put you in the Circle: it is one of the best views in the building. If you would rather be close, the centre of the Stalls around rows G and H is the pick. On a tight budget, look at the first four rows, which are usually the cheapest. Row A is the one to have, with nobody in front of you. Rows B to D sit on the same flat floor, so a tall person ahead can block a lot of the stage, and all four rows are a little narrower, with no armrests.
Below: the seating plan and how the two levels compare, the Stalls and the Circle row by row, access and the steps to each level, and more about the Lyttelton and what has played in it.
Quick facts
- Address: National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
- Nearest station: Waterloo, 5 to 7 minutes on foot
- Levels: Stalls and Circle, plus the slips at the sides
- Capacity: around 890
- Auditorium: proscenium arch, adjustable. It opens out, takes a forestage, or drops an orchestra pit for up to 20 musicians
- Box Office: ground floor, open from 90 minutes before the performance. Arrive 30 minutes before, no later
- Tickets: all-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay
Now playing at the Lyttelton
Electra/Persona runs until 10 October 2026. Benedict Andrews directs Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss in two hours with no interval. Latecomers aren't let in for the first 50 minutes and not at all after that, so the 30-minute arrival matters more than usual on this one.
Also booking
- Cloud 9, 2 November 2026 to 13 January 2027. Caryl Churchill's play, directed by Dominic Cooke. There is an interval.
- Mr Loverman, 25 February to 24 April 2027. Natasha Gordon's adaptation of the Bernardine Evaristo novel, directed by Paulette Randall MBE, with Danny Sapani and Gary Beadle.
Cloud 9 sells on-stage tickets, and those holders go up on the stage for the second act. If you are sitting in the Stalls or the Circle for that one, expect an audience on stage after the interval.
How tickets work at the Lyttelton
Our pricing is all-in, so the price you see is what you pay. Call us on 020 7193 9050 if you would rather talk it through and we will tell you what is left on your date and which of it is the better seat for the money.
There are no day seats here. Nothing is held back for release on the morning, so there is no queue to join.
Most seats cost from around £40 to around £70. What you pay within that depends on the production and the night, and Friday and Saturday evenings cost more than a midweek performance.
Getting to the Lyttelton
Waterloo is 5 to 7 minutes on foot. The Waterloo Bridge / South Bank bus stops are about two minutes from the main riverside doors, which the Lyttelton shares with the Olivier. The 139 and 176 cross the bridge from the West End, and nine more daytime routes stop there too. The other stations, the full bus list, the car park and where to eat beforehand belong to the whole building, so they are in our National Theatre guide.
Book Lyttelton Theatre tickets
All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.
Lyttelton Theatre FAQs
How many people does the Lyttelton Theatre seat?
Around 890 in the Stalls and the Circle, plus the slips at the sides, and it varies a little from show to show. That makes it the middle one of the National's three: bigger than the Dorfman, smaller than the Olivier.
Which theatre at the National is the Lyttelton?
The one with the arch. If you've been to a traditional theatre, the Lyttelton will feel familiar: a proscenium stage with straight rows facing it. The Olivier is the big one, with a fan of seats round an open stage, and the Dorfman is the small one they rebuild for almost every show. The Lyttelton and the Olivier share the main entrance on the river, and the Dorfman has its own door round the side.
What time should I get to the Lyttelton Theatre?
Half an hour before. That's what the National asks for, and you'll need it: it's a big building and easy to get lost in the first time.
Is there a dress code at the Lyttelton Theatre?
No. Come as you are.
Can I take a child to the Lyttelton Theatre?
Not if they're under four, unless it's a family show that says otherwise, though they can come into the foyers. Children of 12 and under need to be with an adult, and everyone needs their own ticket.
Can I pay with cash at the National Theatre?
No, the whole building is cashless, bars included. Bring a card.
Is there a cloakroom at the Lyttelton Theatre?
Yes, on the ground floor opposite the main lifts, by the bookshop. You pay £1.50 a coat or bag, and nothing for access equipment or medical supplies.
How long do shows at the Lyttelton Theatre last?
It depends on the show. Each show page gives the running time once the National publishes it, or if you've got a train to catch, call us on 020 7193 9050 and we'll check for you.
What happens if I am late to the Lyttelton Theatre?
That depends on the show too. Some let you in at a suitable break, and some won't let you in at all once it's started. Aim to be there half an hour before and you won't have to find out.
Is there a stage door at the Lyttelton Theatre?
Yes, one for the whole National, on Stage Door Avenue down the east side of the building. That's where the cast come and go. To see the show, use the main entrance on the river.