The Barbican Theatre events schedule is an eclectic mix of classical music, film screenings, talks and theatre, including an annual season of drama from the Royal Shakespeare Company. At the top of your list should be its star-studded summer show. This year, get ready to “brush up your Shakespeare” with a hit revival of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate musical, starring Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar and Broadway star Stephanie J. Block. The Barbican is quickly becoming known as the go-to place if you want to enjoy a Golden Age musical: Kiss Me, Kate follows in the dazzling footsteps of Anything Goes, which was a sold-out hit for two years in a row.
If you're in the mood for even more of the Bard after this toe-tapping musical closes, book early for A Midsummer Night's Dream! Ghosts star Mathew Baynton reprises his acclaimed performance as Bottom, direct from Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Barbican Theatre opened in 1982 as part of the overall Barbican Centre complex, the largest performing arts centre in Europe. The Barbican Theatre carries the same brutalist architectural style of the rest of the Centre, which hosts a huge range of entertainment throughout the year including classical music concerts, live musicians, theatre shows, film screenings and art exhibitions. The Theatre itself has a capacity of 1,156 and was designed by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to host their own London productions, which are often transfers from The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare's own hometown.
Many UK and international productions have been hosted by the theatre, which provides an eclectic mix of shows across each theatrical season. Some recent notable examples include the 2019 production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which transferred from Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, which broke records to become the fastest-selling event in London Theatre history.
In July 2021, after theatres had been closed for over a year due to the COVID pandemic, The Barbican Theatre reopened with a hugely successful revival of Anything Goes featuring Broadway superstar Sutton Foster.
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
The Barbican Centre is a world-class arts centre with two theatres, two art galleries, three cinemas and a concert hall. The Museum of London is adjacent, as are some authentic examples of Roman architecture. The Barbican Centre is one of London’s finest examples of Brutalist architecture and is located in one of the oldest parts of Central London with great transport links. Check www.tfl.gov.uk to plan your journey.
The box office opens 90 minutes before performances. Tickets can be purchased in person from the Barbican Centre Shop between 10am - 9pm (Monday-Saturday) and 12pm - 8pm (Sunday). We recommend patrons arrive as early as possible to avoid queues and allow enough time to enter the auditorium. Please ensure to bring your confirmation email and your ID.
The theatre opens around one hour before the show starts. The Barbican Centre complex is open from 9am (Monday to Saturday) and 11am (Sunday). This is a very unique building that is well worth exploring before a show - take a look at the rooftop conservatory with greenhouse plants, or sit outside and admire the architecture in the summer months.
There are several places to eat and drink, from a quick coffee (Barbican Kitchen) and a tasty burger (Bonfire), to martini bars and fine dining establishments (Osteria).
A free cloakroom service is available for ticket-holders, from 90 minutes before the show starts until 30 minutes after the performance has ended. Patrons are encouraged to make a £2 donation in order to support the centre's charitable efforts.
Although the venue is a great place to grab a bite to eat before a show, there are also many restaurants in the nearby area. Côte Brasserie, which is just a 5 minute walk from the theatre and specialises in French cuisine, offers an excellent pre-theatre menu.
Citadines, an apart-hotel that is just a 10-minute walk from the theatre is a good choice for those not looking to break the bank. Alternatively, if you're coming to the venue for a special occasion, why not stay at the luxury Montcalm at the Brewery London City hotel, which is less than a five-minute walk from the theatre.
