The National Theatre is getting into the bonfire season spirit. The National Theatre, keen to keep its finger on the public pulse, is getting into the seasonal spirit with a Festival of Light.

Drawing on cultures from around the world, and beginning, appropriately, with an installation - from Nov. 5, bonfire night - of beautifully lit lanterns and artworks, which will illuminate the National's foyers, providing a stunning backdrop to a series of five festival Saturdays.

The lanterns will shine day and night throughout the National's foyers, creating not only a beautiful internal display, but also a great spectacle through the windows of the building both from Waterloo Bridge and the ground. These will form the backdrop to a series of Festival events.

The first of these will be a European Light and Fire Festival on Nov. 10. This includes, in the afternoon, a performance by an Irish band, Hoolie, which will play a mixture of original material and traditional tunes and songs on fiddle, mandola, mandolin, flute, whistle, bouzouki and bodhran, in an innovative approach to Irish music.

In the evening, from 10:30 PM to 11:45 PM, The Good Hope Band, led by John Tamms and direct from playing at the Cottesloe Theatre, lead an illuminating lantern procession around the National, featuring striking fire sculptures produced by Emergency Exit Arts.

Dr. Faustus round off the evening - a four strong all-acoustic line-up provide harmonious vocals and folk music.

National Theatre Box Office: 020 7452 3000. —by Paul Webb Theatrenow