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National Theatre

There’s something for everyone in this jam-packed weekend of performances and workshops.

A group of vibrant and diverse individuals cheer enthusiastically in bright, summer attire at an outdoor event. Their expressions range from joyous singing to excited clapping, capturing a moment of collective enjoyment in the sunshine.

Booking and details

River Stage: Friday 26 - Sunday 28 July
The event location is

National Theatre

South Bank, London SE1 9PX

Get directions

Event times:

Friday: 6:30pm – 11pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 11pm
Sunday: 12:30pm – 5pm

Join us as we bring River Stage to a close for another year.

We are throwing open our doors and inviting everyone to dive into the diverse delights of our South Bank venue.

Expect the very best in family-friendly theatre, dance performances, live music, workshops for all ages, an NT Live screening, and our iconic tours of the building.

Prepare for a weekend brimming with free, exciting entertainment. Compèred by Anoushka Chakrapani.

 

Hosted by:

Friday 26 July

A performer with bright red curly hair and white framed sunglasses. She is stood in front of a golden foil fringe curtain wall.

Diane Chorley and special guests

6.30pm – 10.45pm

Diane Chorley returns for her only show of 2024. Joined by loyal sidekick Milky, partner Ron (on karaoke hosting duties), and some very special guests. Diane brings the very best of character comedy, infectious music, and queer cabaret, all wrapped up in one.

Saturday 27 July

A young girl working on a craft project and concentrating. A woman wearing a blue lanyard is leaning down to help her. The table is covered in craft supplies.

Little Angel Theatre - 'Elephant Parade' Workshop

12.30pm – 1.30pm

Get ready to trumpet and stomp in a workshop you won’t forget. Little Angel Theatre invites families to craft their own elephant puppets then stomp together in the playful puppet parade. All with the help of LAT’s skilled facilitators.

A Wigs, Hair and Makeup table with four mirrors and covered in makeup and hair products. A performer is sat in front of one of the mirrors while an artist does her makeup.

Face Painting Session

1.30pm – 2.30pm

See the National Theatre’s Wigs, Hair and Make Up specialists in action and join us for a free, fun face painting session with a special jungle theme. Come and be transformed into wild and wonderful jungle animals. 

Five performers wearing matching white jumpsuits with varying accessories and holding microphones. They are performing enthusiastically under blue lighting.

BAC Beatbox Academy

2.30pm – 3.30pm

The BAC Beatbox Academy bring beats, vibes and high energy performance to the South Bank. They will lead the audience in an incredible workshop. This highly acclaimed crew will perform their award winning music from Frankenstein and Pied Piper as well as party bangers.

A group of people of varying ages on a tour. They are wearing orange high-vis jackets and listening to a tour guide.

Backstage Building Tours

3pm – 7pm

Join our guides as they lead free tours around the building giving a taste of what goes on behind the concrete walls. Sign up on the day is essential. Tours last no longer than 30 minutes, every half an hour between 3.00pm and 7.00pm.

Young performers at an outdoor festival wearing matching blue t-shirts. The group are crouched close to the ground as a soloist performs at the centre. A crowd is gathered behind them to watch.

Boy Blue

3.45pm – 4.45pm

Boy Blue are back. Dancers from Sky Blue, The Bluez, The Blueprint and Alpha Blue come together for a Hip Hop performance you won’t forget. They’ll capture the essence of street-dance to bring fun, energy and excitement, with some audience participation mixed in.

A group of eleven people, dressed in white and with blue hand prints painted on their faces, pose with various brass and percussion instruments. They are sat outside in front of a backdrop resembling stage curtains, surrounded by greenery and colourful flowers.

Hackney Colliery Band

5.45pm – 6.45pm

Hackney Colliery Band returns to the National Theatre to play music from across their 15 year career. This juggernaut of brass, drums and electronics brings a mix of everything. Ranging from classic covers of their early days through to recent cutting-edge collaborations.

A man in a waistcoat, tie and blue shirt stands impassively, arms folded, surrounded by five men wearing England football kits (red shirts and shorts, white socks), celebrating wildly.

NT Live Screening: Dear England

7.30pm – 10.45pm

Join us for an exclusive open-air screening of James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning show, filmed live on stage and shown outside on a big screen for one night only. Grab a deckchair and watch this spectacular play as the sun sets over London.

Sunday 28 July

A artist wearing a blue jumper and glasses sat with a large pad of paper resting on his knee. He is holding a pencil and sketching, looking up at what he is drawing.

Portrait Workshop with Curtis Holder

12.30pm – 1.30pm

Put your art skills to the test and join Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2020 winner Curtis Holder’s interactive workshop. Musicians Fenella Humphreys, Kasia Ziminska and Cara Berridge become the artist’s subjects as Curtis demonstrates how to capture movement. Art supplies provided.

Public Acts Odyssey Workshop

1.45pm – 2.45pm

Want to learn some choreography from the Public Acts 2023 community production of The Odyssey? Join theatre maker and choreographer Dan Canham for an inclusive workshop where he will teach the dance from the spectacular Gods of Olympus scene. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

A group of vibrant and diverse individuals cheer enthusiastically in bright, summer attire at an outdoor event. Their expressions range from joyous singing to excited clapping, capturing a moment of collective enjoyment in the sunshine.

Some Voices

3pm – 3.30pm

Some Voices choir are returning to the River Stage to bring you summer smash hits in glorious harmony. Expect feel-good pop tunes with a twist as “London’s coolest choir” (Time Out) bring the party vibes to the South Bank.

A singer in a white shirt and cropped suit jacket performing. She is holding the microphone on the stand with her right hand and her left arm is extended. She is stood in front of a stage light with a glow behind her and the image is in black and white.

Chisara Agor

3.45pm – 4.45pm

Join Agor on their musical journey, exploring themes of visibility, magic and solidarity. From BBC Maida Vale Studios to The National Theatre New Work Studios, Agor delights with their arrangements and storytelling. Be sure to catch this innovative performance.

 

River Stage weekends

River Stage 2024: The Glory
Two drag artists in black outfits performing on a stage.

River Stage 2024: The Glory

The Glory brings a dazzling lineup of DJs, Drag, Cabaret and theatre makers to River Stage 2024. Friday 5 - Sunday 7 July.
River Stage: Friday 5 - Sunday 7 July
Info & Tickets for River Stage 2024: The Glory
River Stage 2024: Rambert
A dancer captured mid-motion against a pale blue background, her pose expressing dynamism and grace. She is dressed in a pastel pink sports bra and high-waisted shorts with a white long-sleeved shirt flowing behind her.

River Stage 2024: Rambert

The brilliant Rambert dance company presents exciting dance performances, fun family workshops, and live music to keep you moving. Friday 19 - Sunday 21 July.
River Stage: Friday 19 - Sunday 21 July
Info & Tickets for River Stage 2024: Rambert
River Stage 2024: Greenwich+Docklands International Festival
Two performers doing an inverted hang from a trapeze, one of whom is in a wheelchair, in front of an audience with a city skyline in the background.

River Stage 2024: Greenwich+Docklands International Festival

A joyous celebration of creativity and cultural diversity at River Stage 2024. Friday 12 - Sunday 14 July.
River Stage: Friday 12 - Sunday 14 July
Info & Tickets for River Stage 2024: Greenwich+Docklands International Festival

More to explore

Overhead shot of people sitting at tables on the Forza Wine outdoor tearrace and below that, Theatre Square with a Taste of KERB bar, umbrellas and traders and lots of people enjoying the evening sunshine, all at the National Theatre.

Summer eating and drinking

Experience a taste of KERB as their open-air food and drink market returns for summer, with a host of seasonal street food specials. Find us by the Riverside Walkway.

This summer, Forza Taps is taking over the Weston Terrace (just below Forza Wine’s outdoor terrace), serving ‘on tap’ drinks, alongside their signature ‘Italian-ish’ snack menu.