Concrete Reality

Fascinating exhibition at the National Theatre looking at its design and the history of its construction.

It was commissioned from Denys Lasdun in the same month as the companies’ first performance at the Old Vic. The original commission included an opera house as well as a theatre both in the modernist style a popular style for theatres at this time. However by the time it was built it was a controversial design.

I was interested to see that the foyer space was inspired by the intricate Renaissance prints by Piranesi as well as a 1928 painting by Paul Klee called “Italian City”. It was also good to see one of the concrete presses which were lined with wooden planks to give the wonderful distinctive finish the interior has. It showed the level of craft which went into an industrial looking building.

It also looked at the refurbishment in the 1990s and the current one. I’d never realised that the theatre pioneered the idea of all day opening of this sort of cultural venue which I so appreciate now! 

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