On 5 March 2026, the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre was transformed into a star-studded sanctuary for the Next Chapter Gala. The event, the first major fundraiser under the artistic leadership of Director Indhu Rubasingham, successfully raised £2 million to support the National Theatre’s mission of making world-class performance accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Celebrating the theme of the "family show," the evening explored how a child's first encounter with the stage can inspire a lifetime of creativity. The event kicked off with a bespoke performance titled The Child in G17, featuring an elite cast including Imelda Staunton, Meera Syal, Kadiff Kirwan, Bella Maclean, and Katherine Kingsley. The piece wove together iconic moments from past NT triumphs such as War Horse, His Dark Materials, and The Witches.
The guest list read like a "who’s who" of global talent, with Cate Blanchett, James Corden, Aidan Turner, Lesley Manville, Olly Alexander, and Celia Imrie among the notable attendees.
In a spectacular feat of stagecraft, the Lyttelton stage was converted into a lush, living jungle-scape for dinner. Beneath a verdant canopy created in collaboration with Plant Designs, guests were treated to an immersive puppetry preview of the National Theatre’s upcoming Autumn production of The Jungle Book, also directed by Rubasingham.
The night culminated in a high-stakes auction led by Harry Dalmeny of Sotheby’s. Rare lots included a VIP box for Ariana Grande’s London concert and exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences with stars like Sandra Oh and Aidan Turner.
"Creating awe-inspiring work takes a huge amount of people, skills, and resources," said Indhu Rubasingham. "Thanks to the generosity of our patrons, we can continue to make those moments possible for young people all over the country and the world."
The funds raised are a vital boost to the Stories Start Here campaign, supporting the NT Skills Centre and ensuring that the "theatrical spark" lit in childhood can last a lifetime.
