Visit to The National Theatre and Lambeth Palace
Thursday 4th March 2010
This visit has been organised by John Temple
The waiting list for visits to Lambeth Palace is long so this is an opportunity not to be missed. Combined as it is with a backstage tour of the National Theatre, it promises to be an interesting and informative day.
NATIONAL THEATRE
Founded and built in 1962 on London’s South Bank, eleven years after the Festival of Britain, The National Theatre contains three diverse auditoria, the Olivier, Lyttelton and Cottesloe Theatres. The Olivier, named after the National Theatre’s first director, Laurence Olivier, (later Sir Laurence and then Lord Olivier) has an open stage with seating for more than 1000 people. The Lyttelton (after Oliver Lyttelton, Viscount Chandos, first chairman of the National Theatre) has a proscenium stage with seating for 890. And the Cottesloe is a studio with three tiers and flexible staging and seating for around 300. Lord Cottesloe was chairman of the South Bank Board from 1962 to 1977.
Our tour will take us backstage of all three theatres.
The National Theatre also puts on exhibitions in the foyers and live music before performances. As well as backstage tours, it arranges outdoor events in the summer. It has a well stocked bookshop and a choice of places to eat and drink.
For further information, visit their website: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
LAMBETH PALACE
Lambeth Palace is the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and has been since 1179. Our guided visit will begin with a video in the lowest floor of Cranmer’s Tower, probably erected c.1500. It includes a chance to see the Palace’s main State Rooms, the 12th Century Crypt, the Guard Room, the Palace Library (the first public library in Britain) and the Archbishop’s private Chapel. Further information about our guided visit may be found on the leaflet issued by the palace. If you would like a photocopy of the leaflet, please contact Reinalt.
For browsing you could begin at http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org
COST: £14.00
Nearest railway stations: Waterloo; Waterloo East
Nearest Underground stations: Waterloo; Embankment (then cross Waterloo Bridge)
Buses: 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, RV1
(OAP bus passes may be used).
If you are arriving at Waterloo, the easiest way to the National Theatre is to leave the station by the main entrance, go down the steps and follow the signs through the underpass. Alternatively, try this link:
TIMETABLE
10.00 - 10.15 Meet near Main Information Desk in the entrance hall of the National Theatre
(Entrance is by the river front on the South Bank)
Please report upon arrival to John or Anne-Marie Temple
10.15 First group’s tour begins
10.30 Second group’s tour begins
12.00 onwards Lunch
Note: Members may be able to book a table in the main mezzanine restaurant (020 7452 3600); otherwise there are bars in the theatre and many other restaurants in the area.
1.25 Walk to Lambeth Palace via South Bank and:
Royal Festival Hall, London Eye, St Thomas’ Hospital and Houses of Parliament (on the opposite bank)
Some members may prefer to take a bus:
No 381 from Waterloo Road/Stamford Streetto Westminster Bridge
No 507 from Waterloo Station to Lambeth Palace (Mon-Fri only)
No 77 from Waterloo Station to Lambeth Palace
1.55 Meet at Oil Gate Entrance in Lambeth Palace Road(see map)
2.00 Tour of the palace (in 2 groups)
4.00 Disperse
MAXIMUM NUMBER 50 So there will be plenty of room for your relations and friends.
LATECOMERS
John’s mobile phone number is 0777 944 5251
Late for the morning, please report to the National Theatre Main Information Desk
Please do not be late for the visit to the Palace.
