What is National Arts Theatre?
[[File:National Theatre Nigeria.jpg|thumb|National Theatre Nigeria]] The '''National Theatre, Nigeria''' is the centre of the [[performing arts]] in Nigeria. It is located in Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos. It was completed in 1976 in preparation for the [[Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC)]] in 1977. It was built to preserve and promote of arts and culture in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-04-22|title=Once upon a ‘National Theatre’|url=https://businessday.ng/news/article/once-upon-a-national-theatre/|access-date=2022-06-06|website=Businessday NG|language=en-US}}</ref> == Design == The building of the National Theatre started when General Yakubu Gowon was head of state and was completed when [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] was head of state.<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Theatre, Lagos|url=https://independent.ng/national-theatre-lagos/|access-date=2022-06-06|website=Independent Newspaper Nigeria|language=en-GB}}</ref> The outside design of the National Theatre was designed, shaped and built to look like a military hat. It has 5,000s in its Main Hall with a collapsible stage, and has two cinema halls. It resembles the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, [[Bulgaria]] (completed in 1968).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-24|title=National Arts Theatre: A national pride or misplaced priority?|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/national-arts-theatre-a-national-pride-or-misplaced-priority/|access-date=2022-06-06|website=Tribune Online|language=en-GB}}</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} [[Category:1976 establishments in Africa]] [[Category:Lagos]]