The National Theatre’s new production building to be named the
Max Rayne Centre in honour of former NT Chairman Lord Rayne
The National Theatre today announces that their new production building will be named the
Max Rayne Centre, in acknowledgement of Max Rayne’s contribution to the National
Theatre and a significant gift from The Rayne Foundation.
Lord (Max) Rayne was the National Theatre’s longest-serving Chairman, overseeing the
company for 18 years from 1971 – 1988, including its move from the Old Vic to the South
Bank.
The Max Rayne Centre will open in 2014, immediately behind the National Theatre on Upper
Ground. The Centre is the lynchpin of a key aspect of the NT Future scheme, allowing the
National to bring together production departments currently scattered throughout the
building: locating those working with modern technology such as sound, video, lighting and
digital drawing, alongside the more traditional crafts of prop-making, paint, carpentry, metalwork and armoury. It will house a new paint studio, production offices, design and project
studios, with workspaces available for emerging theatre-makers associated with the NT
Studio. A high-level public walkway will link this backstage world with the Dorfman Theatre
foyer and the new Clore Learning Centre, twinning production and design with education and
participation and offering the public an unprecedented view into the NT’s unique production
workshops. The Centre’s eastern aspect will be glazed to give passers-by views of scenic
artists at work, and internally the high-level walkway will end in a public viewing gallery over
the new paint studio.
Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National Theatre, said: ‘Max Rayne’s service to the National
Theatre is legendary. His 18 years as Chairman spanned the Directorships of Laurence
Olivier, Peter Hall and Richard Eyre; on leaving, he instituted a charitable NT Endowment
Fund. We are delighted that his name will be commemorated in recognition of his immense
contribution to the National, and are grateful to The Rayne Foundation for their generous
gift.’
The Rayne Foundation donation takes NT Future’s fundraising total to over £68 million. In
this context, the original £70million target has been raised to £80million: allowing us to
absorb increased construction costs, and to take advantage of this once-in-a-generation
opportunity to broaden the ambition of the campaign: increasing and improving the extent of
the new landscaping around the building, redeveloping the ageing dressing room block,
overhauling and updating IT systems, and refurbishing the Olivier foyers and toilets.
13 June 2013
Notes to editors
Lord Rayne and The Rayne Foundation
The Rayne Foundation was established in 1962 by Lord Rayne, who was Life President of
London Merchant Securities plc, a diversified property and venture capital business, which
he built up and of which he was chairman for forty years until 2000. Lord Rayne was also
chairman, trustee or council member of numerous arts, education, medical and social
welfare charities, including the National Theatre and St Thomas’ Hospital. He remained
chairman of the Rayne Foundation until his death in 2003.
Over fifty years, the Rayne Foundation has given to many different causes and
organisations. The Foundation has an overall theme of social bridge-building, working within
four sectors: Arts; Education; Health and Medicine; and Social Welfare and Development. It
never works alone, preferring to forge partnerships with organisations and individuals that
share its objectives. As well as being a traditional philanthropist, Lord Rayne took great
efforts to ensure that the Rayne Foundation was actively engaged with the needs of society.
Examples of the Foundation’s work along these lines are the Rayne Institutes (linking
medical researchers with clinicians), Rayne Fellowships (so far for choreographers and
refugees), and the founding of National Numeracy.
National Theatre Future
NT Future is a redevelopment programme which will transform the facilities the National
offers audiences and artists, enhance our relationship with the environment around us and
place education firmly at the heart of our mission.
The National opened its doors on the South Bank in 1976. Since then there have been
significant changes to the way we make, experience and learn through theatre. NT Future
responds to these changes by opening up our building, allowing audiences closer
engagement with the theatre, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Over £68m has been raised towards the £80m target, thanks to the generosity of the Arts
Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, individuals, trusts and foundations, and the National’s
own earnings from War Horse, as well as an audience appeal. The first phase of
construction work – The Max Rayne Centre, the refurbishment of the Cottesloe (which will
re-open in spring 2014 as the Dorfman Theatre), and the creation of the Clore Learning
Centre – is underway. The project, designed by architects Haworth Tompkins, is scheduled
for completion at the end of 2014; the National Theatre will remain open throughout the
redevelopment.
For further information, please contact Lucinda Morrison on
lmorrison@nationaltheatre.org.uk or 020 7452 3232.