[1][2] It was originally a traveling theater ensemble with many members, most notably Ulf Dageby, Anders Melander, Totta Näslund, Nikke Ström, Hans Mosesson and Pale Olofsson.

Initially formed as a free theater group in Lund in 1968, Nationalteatern moved to Gothenburg and started to put heavy emphasis on the musical part of the plays.

On the second album, Livet är en fest (Life is a party), Ulf Dageby was allowed more creative room, and he later evolved into the group's driving force.

The next year saw the release of Barn av vår tid (Children of our time) – the first album featuring Totta Näslund – and still later Rövarkungens ö (The Island of the Bandit King).

In 2002 a tribute album, Nationalsånger - Hymner från Vågen och EPAs torg, was released, featuring several of Sweden's most famous musicians (such as Backyard Babies, The Hellacopters, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Lisa Miskovsky, and The Ark) performing Nationalteatern songs.