Installed outside the National Theatre on the Queen’s Walk, the installation is a wooden structure which has drawn inspiration from the amphitheatre seating of the Olivier Theatre. 

Facing the National Theatre, the installation invites visitors to sit and listen to the personal stories about the building. 

The installation has been designed and fabricated by La Cuarta Piel. 

The anniversary is supported by international built environment consultancy Arup and the Queen’s Walk installation is supported by Sir Robert McAlpine, which are two companies that helped build the National Theatre 50 years ago.

Indhu Rubasingham, director and co-chief executive of the National Theatre, said: “For 50 years, the National Theatre’s South Bank building has been a place where artists, audiences and communities have come together to share stories that help us understand ourselves and one another.”

Kate Varah, executive director and co-chief executive of the National Theatre, said: “This anniversary offers a moment of renewal, hope and celebration of the NT’s remarkable legacy, and a physical reminder of the cultural foundations that we as a nation have been given to build on.

“Yet like many major cultural buildings across the UK, the NT now faces significant capital and modernisation needs. Looking after this extraordinary building isn’t simply about preserving an architectural landmark.”

Varah added: “It’s about protecting the creative home of a national institution whose work generates £241 million in Gross Value Added for the UK economy every year, with one third of that impact created outside London. And a lot of joy.”