1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20004
BUILT: 1922
SEATING CAPACITY: 1676
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National Theatre History
Located on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House, The National Theatre opened in 1835 and is the nation’s oldest venue still presenting touring Broadway.News
PICASSO: LE MONSTRE SACRÉ Will Make New York Premiere From London's Playground Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
London's Playground Theatre will present the New York premiere of PICASSO: LE MONSTRE SACRÉ at La MaMa, starring Peter Tate and directed by Olivier Award winner Guy Masterson.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
London's Playground Theatre will present the New York premiere of PICASSO: LE MONSTRE SACRÉ at La MaMa, starring Peter Tate and directed by Olivier Award winner Guy Masterson.
Next Festival of Emerging Artists Reveals 14th Season Lineup
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Next Festival of Emerging Artists announced its 14th season, celebrating women immigrant composers with world premieres at PS21 in Chatham, NY, National Sawdust in Brooklyn, and Gibney Dance in NYC.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Next Festival of Emerging Artists announced its 14th season, celebrating women immigrant composers with world premieres at PS21 in Chatham, NY, National Sawdust in Brooklyn, and Gibney Dance in NYC.
OPERATION MINCEMEAT Reveals 2026-27 Tour Dates and Cities
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning OPERATION MINCEMEAT announced a full North American tour route spanning over 25 cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, as the Broadway production hits 500 performances.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning OPERATION MINCEMEAT announced a full North American tour route spanning over 25 cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, as the Broadway production hits 500 performances.
Full Cast Set For THE MISANTHROPE Starring Sandra Oh
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh leads the full cast of THE MISANTHROPE at London's National Theatre, directed by Indhu Rubasingham in Martin Crimp's new verse adaptation of Molière's classic satire.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh leads the full cast of THE MISANTHROPE at London's National Theatre, directed by Indhu Rubasingham in Martin Crimp's new verse adaptation of Molière's classic satire.
Hofesh Shechter Named Guest Artistic Director of National Youth Dance Company
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Sadler's Wells announced choreographer Hofesh Shechter as the next Guest Artistic Director of National Youth Dance Company, with auditions underway across England ahead of a new production premiering next year.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Sadler's Wells announced choreographer Hofesh Shechter as the next Guest Artistic Director of National Youth Dance Company, with auditions underway across England ahead of a new production premiering next year.
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE Will Return to London's Troubadour Wembley Park
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE, the Olivier Award-winning children's theatre show, will return to Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre this summer, featuring life-like dinosaurs including a T-Rex, Triceratops, and more for audiences ages 3 and up.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE, the Olivier Award-winning children's theatre show, will return to Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre this summer, featuring life-like dinosaurs including a T-Rex, Triceratops, and more for audiences ages 3 and up.
Full Cast Set for HERCULES Final Extension at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Disney Theatrical Group announced the full company for the final extension of HERCULES at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with Bradley Gibson leading as the title character alongside newly announced cast members joining the production.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
Disney Theatrical Group announced the full company for the final extension of HERCULES at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with Bradley Gibson leading as the title character alongside newly announced cast members joining the production.
Mark Rylance Will Lead TARTUFFE (REMIXED) World Premiere
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
A brand-new production of Molière's comedy classic, Tartuffe, will make its world premiere starring Mark Rylance in the titular role. Learn more about the production here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
A brand-new production of Molière's comedy classic, Tartuffe, will make its world premiere starring Mark Rylance in the titular role. Learn more about the production here!
John Partridge Will Star as Hannibal Lecter in World Premiere UK Tour of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
John Partridge, known for EastEnders and West End roles, will star as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the world stage premiere of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, adapted by Gina Gionfriddo and directed by Nikolai Foster.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
John Partridge, known for EastEnders and West End roles, will star as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the world stage premiere of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, adapted by Gina Gionfriddo and directed by Nikolai Foster.
New £10K Mainstage Prize Launches to Champion Large-Scale Playwriting
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Mainstage Prize, a new £10,000 national playwriting award supported by Riverside Studios, launched with former RSC Head of New Work Pippa Hill chairing the judging panel. The inaugural theme is horror.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Mainstage Prize, a new £10,000 national playwriting award supported by Riverside Studios, launched with former RSC Head of New Work Pippa Hill chairing the judging panel. The inaugural theme is horror.
SOLDIERS OF TOMORROW English Premiere Will Come to the Finborough Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Finborough Theatre will present the English premiere of SOLDIERS OF TOMORROW, an award-winning play by Itai Erdal exploring the Arab-Israeli conflict, the occupation of Palestine, and the events leading to October 7.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Finborough Theatre will present the English premiere of SOLDIERS OF TOMORROW, an award-winning play by Itai Erdal exploring the Arab-Israeli conflict, the occupation of Palestine, and the events leading to October 7.
Segal Center's WORLD VOICES Festival Will Host Free Readings of International Plays
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at CUNY will present WORLD VOICES, a four-day festival featuring staged readings of new plays in translation by playwrights from Tuscarora/Canada, Austria, France, Senegal, and Germany.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at CUNY will present WORLD VOICES, a four-day festival featuring staged readings of new plays in translation by playwrights from Tuscarora/Canada, Austria, France, Senegal, and Germany.
OH, MARY! Reveals Tour Dates and Cities For 2026-27
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
The North American Tour of Oh, Mary! has announced the dates and cities for its 2026-27 season. The tour of the Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning comedy will tech and launch at The Bushnell in Hartford, Connecticut.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
The North American Tour of Oh, Mary! has announced the dates and cities for its 2026-27 season. The tour of the Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning comedy will tech and launch at The Bushnell in Hartford, Connecticut.
EVITA Starring Rachel Zegler to Open on Broadway in 2027
by Michael Major - Apr 29, 2026
BroadwayWorld has just learned that Jamie Lloyd's revival of Evita, starring Rachel Zegler, will open on Broadway in 2027. The reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical will make its Broadway debut next spring.
by Michael Major - Apr 29, 2026
BroadwayWorld has just learned that Jamie Lloyd's revival of Evita, starring Rachel Zegler, will open on Broadway in 2027. The reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical will make its Broadway debut next spring.
BENJAMIN BUTTON, James Ijames' WELCOME TABLE, and More Set For The Public's 2026-27 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
The Public Theater has announced the lineup for The Public’s Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 season. The season lineup will include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, plus works from James Ijames, Ryan J. Haddad, Richard Nelson, Taylor Mac, and more.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
The Public Theater has announced the lineup for The Public’s Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 season. The season lineup will include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, plus works from James Ijames, Ryan J. Haddad, Richard Nelson, Taylor Mac, and more.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Finds Full Cast at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announced the full cast for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, directed by Atri Banerjee, featuring Nadeem Islam as Bottom, Jenny Rainsford as Titania, and Olivier Huband as Oberon.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announced the full cast for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, directed by Atri Banerjee, featuring Nadeem Islam as Bottom, Jenny Rainsford as Titania, and Olivier Huband as Oberon.
Brian Vernel Will Lead THE LONG DROP at Citizens Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
The Citizens Theatre has announced the ensemble cast - Andy Clark, Martin Donaghy, George Drennan, Keith Fleming, Mary Gapinski, Robert Jack and Brian Vernel - for its new stage adaptation of The Long Drop by Denise Mina.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2026
The Citizens Theatre has announced the ensemble cast - Andy Clark, Martin Donaghy, George Drennan, Keith Fleming, Mary Gapinski, Robert Jack and Brian Vernel - for its new stage adaptation of The Long Drop by Denise Mina.
Photos: Princess Anne Visits National Theatre to Celebrate Apprenticeships Scheme
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2026
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the National Theatre to celebrate the organisation’s Apprenticeships Scheme following it receiving the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award alongside a special DEI Commendation. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2026
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the National Theatre to celebrate the organisation’s Apprenticeships Scheme following it receiving the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award alongside a special DEI Commendation. See photos!
Joan Almedilla, Michael Canu, Bobby Conte, and More Join SOUTH PACIFIC at The Muny
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2026
The Muny announced the lead cast for its upcoming production of SOUTH PACIFIC, starring Paulo Szot and Taylor Louderman alongside ten additional performers at the outdoor theatre in Forest Park.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2026
The Muny announced the lead cast for its upcoming production of SOUTH PACIFIC, starring Paulo Szot and Taylor Louderman alongside ten additional performers at the outdoor theatre in Forest Park.
Cast Set for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Shakespeare's Globe
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2026
Pippa Nixon and Ken Nwosu will lead Shakespeare's Globe's production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING as Beatrice and Benedick, directed by Chelsea Walker. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2026
Pippa Nixon and Ken Nwosu will lead Shakespeare's Globe's production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING as Beatrice and Benedick, directed by Chelsea Walker. Learn more here!
National Theatre Frequently Asked Questions
What show is next for National Theatre?
National Theatre's next show is Oh, Mary! which begins performances on 2/9/2027.
What when was National Theatre built?
National Theatre was built in 1922.
How many seats does National Theatre have?
National Theatre has 1676 seats.
What were the longest running shows at National Theatre?
Hello, Dolly! which ran from 1/16/1964 to 12/27/1970, 1776 which ran from 3/16/1969 to 2/13/1972, West Side Story which ran from 3/19/2009 to 1/2/2011, Call Me Mister which ran from 4/18/1946 to 1/10/1948 and
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