Lyttelton Theatre, National

Lyttelton Theatre

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The Lyttelton is a proscenium theatre

conventional in its basic shape though not in the excellence of its sightlines and acoustics. There are no eye-blocking pillars

circle rails

or other familiar hazards and you can see and hear almost equally well from each of its 890 seats. Unlike most traditional theatres

the Lyttelton has an adjustable proscenium. You can make it into an open-end stage; add a forestage; or create an orchestra pit for up to 20 musicians. No seat is further away

here

from the actor's point of command than the distance from the front row of the dress circle in many older

larger theatres. The stalls are on the ground floor

with the circle reached via its own lift and stairs

on the level above. There is a bar in the foyers on each floor. The Lyttelton Theatre was named after Oliver Lyttelton

Viscount Chandos

whose parents were among the earliest effective campaigners for the National Theatre and who was himself its first chairman.