\paperw3360 \margr0\margl0\ATXph16380 \plain \fs20 \pard\tx3255\tx6525\tx9780\ATXts240\ATXbrdr0 \f1 \fs22 The South Bank Centre grew up around an area of wharves and factories da
maged by bombing in World War II. When in 1951 it was decided to celebrate the centenary of \b \cf4 \ATXht10861000 The Great Exhibition\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 , the site was chosen for the Royal Festival Hall, the only remaining Festival building. Since then
LondonÆs main arts centre has been created around it. Although the massive use of reinforced concrete typical of the \b \cf4 \ATXht11651000 Brutalist\b0 \cf0 \ATXht0 architecture of the period still has many vocal critics, the Centre itself provides an
impressive national showplace for theatre, music, film and the visual arts.\par
\pard\ATXts240\ATXbrdr0 The Royal National Theatre just the other side of Waterloo Bridge was designed by one of BritainÆs foremost contemporary architects, Denys Lasdun.
When it opened in 1976 it became the home of the National Theatre formed in 1962 under the direction of Laurence Olivier, BritainÆs leading 20th century actor. The complex comprises the open-staged Olivier, the proscenium-staged Lyttelton and the small,
flexible Cottesloe, thus providing venues for a wide range of theatrical styles and genres. However, it also functions as a lively and pleasant social centre where you can enjoy a drink with friends before the play begins, wander around the many free a
rt exhibitions or browse through the theatre bookshop.
