James Corden and Benedict Cumberbatch lead the way as The Royal National Theatre celebrate 50 years on stage

PUBLISHED: 19:47 EST, 1 November 2013 | UPDATED: 03:53 EST, 2 November 2013

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The Royal National Theatre celebrated its fiftieth anniversary on Saturday with a retrospective two-hour performance featuring an array of stars from stage and screen.

50 Years On Stage paid tribute to some of the historic venue’s finest moments during a two-hour compendium of live performances and archive footage, presided over by celebrated director Nichols Hyntner.

James Corden, Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch and Dame Helen Mirren were amongst a cast of 100 actors to take to the legendary stage, where pivotal scenes from a selection of The National’s highlights were performed.

History boy: James Corden rehearses with his co-stars ahead of Saturday evening's 50 Years On Stage celebration at the The National

Amongst these were The History Boys – the award winning Alan Bennett play that helped turn Corden into a star when it was first performed at the venue in 2004.

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Corden’s presence would be a recurring one on the night, with One Man, Two Guvners also featuring prominently thanks to the hugely successful 2011 launch that led to wider acclaim courtesy of a Broadway run and international tour.

The actor performed excerpts from on the night, but his would be one of an array of highlights as some of Britain’s finest talent took to the stage.

Centre stage: Benedict Cumberbatch rehearse a scene from Tom Stoppard¿s Rosencrantz And Guildenstern

Star turn: Dame Judy Dench rehearses a scene from Shakespeare's Anthony And Cleopatra

Taking part: Dame Helen Mirren was amongst a cast of 100 to take to the stage on Saturday evening

Benedict Cumberbatch also featured in scene from Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz And Guildenstern, while Dame Judi Dench made an appearance with Skyfall co-star Roy Kinnear for a segment from Shakespeare’s Anthony And Cleopatra.

Dame Helen Mirren, Derek Jacobi, Michael Gambon and Adrian Lester also performed at the event, which was performed in front of TV cameras and will be broadcast on BBC Two at 9pm on Saturday evening.

The Royal National Theatre first opened in 1963 under the stewardship of Sir Laurence Olivier.

Photo op: James Corden poses with a fan outside the venue on Saturday

Stepping out: Sasha Dhawan (L) and James Corden (R) arrive at The National ahead of Saturday's event

Making an entrance: Ralph Fiennes arrives on Saturday evening

Director Nichols Hyntner has led the theatre for the last ten years but will step down in 2015, when he will be replaced by Rufus Norris.

‘I can’t think of anyone better,’ he told The Telegraph. ‘ When I say this place needs reinventing every 10 or 12 years, I mean it. I think he will look at the NT, hang on to what matters but also reinvent it so it remains in the forefront and remains exciting.

‘That’s partly why you leave, so someone else can shake it up a bit.’

AL THEATRE FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY REHEARSALS IN LONDON!

Famous faces: Rory Kinnear (L) and Maggie Smith (R) make an appearance on Saturday

Smoking: Michael Gambon arrives at The National ahead of Saturday's celebration

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scruggs, Epsom, 10 minutes ago

So impressed that the DM are now reporting on events before they have happened, this is live tonight! Now print the lotto numbers and really impress us...

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misty-morn, hebden bridge, United Kingdom, 26 minutes ago

I'm confused. How is this billed as a live programme tonight by the BBC? Are we watching the actors watching themselves in a recorded programme tonight ?

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amazinggrace, London, United Kingdom, 43 minutes ago

I saw Frankenstein last week with Benedict as the creature, and it was one of the most amazing theatre performances I've ever seen... just incredible!

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everbe, Dorchester, 1 hour ago

I'll be watching this. Its broadcast live tinight from 9 on bbc 2. I'd have paid to see it broadcast in the cinema ( we went to see the encore of danny boyles frankenstein with beneduct cumberbatch as the creature, which was absolutely faultless, on thursday and next week we are seeing the habit of art ) but unfortunatly its only available to international audiences. I believe it to be a fantastic idea as a way of making top quality theatre more accessible to the wider public. Well done to the national theatre on 50 incredible years. Olivier would be proud.

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ScarlettOHarder, London, United Kingdom, 1 hour ago

Amazing to think the events reported here haven't even happened yet! How have you managed to get that picture of James Corden outside the venue this evening?! Weird...

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Fiona, London, United Kingdom, 1 hour ago

Rachel, that's just it - I look at him and then look again to try to work out why he has that effect on me - and I can't.

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Miumiu, La La Land, Finland, 2 hours ago

So much talent in one place!

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TishTash, Manc, Western Sahara, 2 hours ago

Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon are looking rough.

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Mrs Hudson, Baker Street, United Kingdom, 3 hours ago

I am really looking forward to this programme.

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Mrs Hudson, Baker Street, United Kingdom, 3 hours ago

I saw the cinema screening of NT's Frankenstein a few days ago with Benedict Cumberbatch as the Creature... it was such an impressive and powerful performance with so much food for thought afterwards; it still stays with me. Superb and highly recommended.