The National Theatre of Iceland (Þjóðleikhúsið)

The National Theatre of Iceland (Þjóðleikhúsið) is a vibrant and dynamic theatre, that has been a leading institution on the Icelandic theatre scene ever since it opened formally in 1950, receiving around 100.000 spectators each season.

The theatre offers a great variety of theatrical productions each year created by outstanding theatre artists. It holds a great artistic prestige, having received numerous theatre awards, as well as popularity among a broad audience.

In 2025 the Icelandic government decided that a new national opera will be a part of The National Theatre of Iceland. The initiative is expected to benefit the entire performing arts community.

Captioning

We offer subtitles in English for chosen productions, season 2025-2026 for the 7th performance of these shows:

Íbúð 10B (Apartment 10B) By Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson, directed by Baltasar Kormákur.

Ormstunga (Gunnlaugur ormstunga “serpent-tongue”, the musical) By Hafsteinn Níelsson and Oliver Thorsteinsson, directed by Gisli Orn Gardarsson. Music: Hafsteinn Níelsson. Co-writer of music and conducting: Jóhannes Damian R. Patreksson.

Gæðablóð (Nice Guys)  By Davíð Þór Katrínarson, Jónmundur Grétarsson, Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson, Þóra Karítas Árnadóttir. Directed by Þóra Karítas Árnadóttir. Music: Kristofer Rodriguez Svönuson

More information on captioning here.

The theatre building

Situated in the historical centre of Reykjavík, the theatre building itself is iconic, being the first edifice in Iceland constructed and designed for the performing arts.

The theatre’s design, by state architect of Iceland Gudjon Samuelsson, is based on old Icelandic folktales about humans being invited into elf palaces inside giant rocks, entering a transcendental world of colour, lights, dance, and music. The Main Hall’s ceiling is inspired by basalt column formations.

The material that was used on the outside was the architect‘s invention. Three types of rock, obsidian, quartz and silver berg, were crushed together and the concrete was coated with this material. This gave the house its special appearance and subsequently crushed rock, or stoning, was used widely on Icelandic houses.

Smaller stages

Through the years the theatre has performed in various smaller spaces, and currently performes in three smaller venues, The Black Box and The Small Stage in Lindargata 7 and in The Theatre Cellar Club in the Main Building. As of August 2025, the Icelandic government has declared that a new stage will be built, to be opened in 2030. The performance space will have a seating capacity of 250-320 people. This is the first purpose-built theatre building to be constructed for The National Theatre since the opening of the Main Stage in 1950.

Repertoire

The NTI premiers around ten new productions each season, as well as re-premieres productions from previous seasons, does co-productions and guest performances. The theatre therefore comprises a varied repertoire of new Icelandic works, new foreign works, Icelandic and foreign classics, musicals, dance pieces and children’s productions.

The theatre serves an important role in the development of new Icelandic plays and aims to develop youngsters’ appreciation of the theatre through productions especially intended for children and youth, and through visits to the theatre.

International collaboration

The NTI collaborates internationally with renowned theatres, directors, and designers. Recent and current collaborations include Simon McBurney and the Complicité theatre, Stefan Żeromski in Kielce in Poland, directors Benedict Andrews, Marius von Mayenburg and Yaël Farber  and designer Nina Wetzel.

Ellen Babic (world premiere) and Ex, directed by Benedict Andrews

Egal (world premiere), directed by Marius von Mayenburg

My Brilliant Friend, directed by Yaël Farber.