At the very heart of the National's Olivier Theatre lies a magnificent theatrical machine: the Drum Revolve, a revolving stage containing two semi-circular lifts which can descend three floors below stage level with the drum still or while it turns, to create spectacular transformations.

Conceived by Richard Pilbrow and Richard Brett of Theatre Projects Consultants, the delays in getting the building open meant the Drum didn't initially work; it was 10 years before designer William Dudley got to put it to use on The Shaughraun. Since then it has been used on countless acclaimed NT productions.

This model of the Drum was made by the Austrian engineering firm Waagner-Biro as part of their bid to build it. Ultimately it was built by the British company Mole Richardson - a very famous picture shows the Drum assembled outside their Norfolk factory.

Drum Revolve Model
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