National Theatre of Reykjavík

Modest public buildings, colourful houses, bold cultural landmarks — Reykjavik is quite a contrasted city. Just look at the National Theatre, right in front of you. How many theatres of this type have you seen? Let us guess—not many! No judgement though, it’s easy to understand why. This is a far cry from the elegant French or refined Italian theatres you typically see. Dark like volcanic rock and cubic like stacked Legos, the National Theatre of Reykjavik is anything but ordinary. Though it’s not just the appearance that makes it stand out. Since opening in 1950, it has become a cornerstone of Iceland’s theatrical scene, offering a high-quality programme with a range of performances from classical to contemporary, where some are in Icelandic, others in English. Many shows have started here to evolve into something greater, touring worldwide as well as winning multiple national and international awards. What started as a simple mission to spark public interest in the performing arts has grown into something truly world-class.