The initial interior stage, lighting and heating installations were state of the art in that period, designed by Viennese architects and built at the factories of Piraeus. In 2006, a contract for restoring and equipping the National Theatre building was signed. In 2008, the National Theatre's New Stage started its operation after seven years under the name “Nikos Kourkoulos New Stage” with the play “Roberto Zucco” by Bernard-Marie Koltes. In 2009, the Central Stage opened its doors to the public on 14 October with the play “Nowhere” by Dimitris Papaioannou.