Designed by renowned architect Vann Molyvann, Cambodia's national theatre was opened in 1968 as the Grand Théâtre Preah Bat Norodom Suramarit (aka Mohorsrop Theatre). Built to resemble a ship on the banks of the Bassac River, the venue was known for its wide stage and excellent acoustics, but was gutted by fire in February 1994 and has remained a burned out shell ever since. Despite this fact, the lobby has continued to be used on a daily basis for dance practice by the National Theatre Company of Cambodia Lakhaon kbach boran (Classical Dance) Troupe, which is based at the Directorate of Performing Arts to the rear of the building. Over the past few years there have been numerous abortive efforts to seek funds for the restoration of the theatre and to develop an organisational base for its ongoing programming and management as a national venue. In early 2005 the disposal of the theatre site to a local developer was considered, the outcome for the theatre itself being uncertain.

NB The technical data listed below was gathered in 1992 prior to the fire.