National Theatre introduces natural‑dye garden on riverside terrace
The National Theatre today opened a Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden on its riverside terrace — a project born from collaboration between the Textiles Team, Skills Centre and Welfare & Wellbeing unit. It marks a shift in how the theatre approaches its costumes, textiles and environmental responsibility.
The garden, now open to the public, grows plants chosen for their dyeing qualities: non‑toxic, biodegradable and renewable. Flowers and foliage such as indigo, French marigold, camomile, hollyhock and dahlia will be harvested on‑site, then processed in the theatre’s Kors LePere Textile Studio to supply natural dyes for future productions. The Playboy of the Western World, opening in the Lyttelton Theatre on 4 December, will be the first to use fabrics dyed within this new scheme.
The aim is not only aesthetic. By providing raw materials for natural dyeing, the National Theatre commits to reducing chemical waste and aligning with the Theatre Green Book — the sector‑wide guide to more sustainable production. The garden also supports biodiversity: it complements the rooftop bee hives and is expected to attract pollinators such as hummingbird hawkmoths to the South Bank.
Beyond production, the garden is framed as a wellbeing space. Staff and visitors alike can use it for reflection. Meanwhile, young people, students and emerging designers will be invited to workshops where they can learn natural dye techniques and explore how plant‑based colour can become part of their practice.
Iona Kenrick, Head of Production Costume, said: “The Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden is future‑proofing the National Theatre for the next generation of designers and textile artists. It is a sensory experience and a statement of our commitment to sustainable theatre.”
The garden is the result of support from the National Theatre Skills Centre, Bank of America, the Foyle Foundation, The Clothworkers’ Company and others.
For more information, and for images, visit nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Feature photo: Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden at the National Theatre (c) Rory Murphy Photography
