The National Theatre's early Shakespeare seasons under Laurence Olivier (1963–1976)

1. National Theatre Company opens at the Old Vic

   Oct 22, 1963Labels: National Theatre, Old Vic

   • Old Vic Theatre
   • NT overview

2. Opening night: Olivier directs O’Toole in Hamlet

   Oct 22, 1963Labels: Laurence Olivier, Peter O

   • Old Vic Theatre
   • NT overview

3. John Dexter’s Othello premieres with Olivier

   Jan 1, 1964Labels: John Dexter, Laurence Olivier

   • NT overview
   • Othello film

4. National Theatre staging filmed as Othello (Stuart Burge)

   Jan 1, 1965Labels: Stuart Burge, Othello film

   • Othello film
   • Cambridge list

5. Zeffirelli launches Much Ado at the Old Vic

   Feb 16, 1965Labels: Franco Zeffirelli, Much Ado

   • McKellen site
   • New Yorker

6. Olivier renews leadership amid stalled South Bank plans

   Jan 1, 1968Labels: Laurence Olivier, South Bank

   • Olivier bio
   • NT overview

7. Jonathan Miller directs Olivier as Shylock

   Jun 8, 1970Labels: Jonathan Miller, Laurence Olivier

   • Madeleine s Stage
   • Olivier bio

8. Coriolanus staged with Anthony Hopkins in title role

   Jan 1, 1971Labels: Anthony Hopkins, Coriolanus

   • Theatricalia

9. Olivier announces planned departure; Peter Hall chosen

   Mar 22, 1973Labels: Laurence Olivier, Peter Hall

   • The Stage
   • Olivier bio

10. Merchant of Venice later adapted for television

    Feb 10, 1974Labels: The Merchant, television

    • Learning on Screen

11. Hall’s Hamlet opens at Old Vic, then transfers

    Dec 10, 1975Labels: Peter Hall, Albert Finney

    • Cambridge PDF

12. Lyttelton opens; National Theatre begins South Bank era

    Mar 16, 1976Labels: Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre

    • Cambridge PDF
    • Arthur Lloyd

13. Queen formally opens National Theatre complex

    Oct 25, 1976Labels: Queen Elizabeth, National Theatre

    • Building
    • Carthalia