The National Drama Theatre, designed by architect Henrik Byll in the Norwegian capital Oslo in 1899, is the largest theatre in Norway. Byll in the Norwegian capital Oslo in 1899, is the largest centre of theatrical life in the country. At the opening of the stage, which took place on 1 September, was attended by King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway and other famous personalities.
In the early years, the theatre existed on private funds. A year after Norway gained independence from Sweden (1906), it began to experience an economic crisis. The constant need for financial aid from the state led to the nationalisation of the theatre.
During the Nazi German occupation of Norway, the theatre was used as a barracks for soldiers, and later even forced the company to perform several productions in German.
A fire in 1980, which broke out as a result of a soffit explosion, destroyed the stage and the stage equipment, but the auditorium was not damaged.
In 1983, the Norwegian National Theatre building was given the status of a cultural heritage site.
