Barbican Centre News

A new production of Romeo and Juliet is headed to American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University this September! The production will be directed by A.R.T.’s Tony Award-winning Artistic Director Diane Paulus and feature movement direction and choreography by two-time Olivier Award winner Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

Appearing down in the Barbican’s Pit theatre as the final part of this year’s MimeLondon, This & That from Phil Soltanoff and Steven Wendt is an oblique and often frustrating hour of shadow puppetry and animation.

The City of London Corporation has announced that theatre entrepreneurs Dame Rosemary Squire and Sir Howard Panter have received the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of their contribution to theatre and the cultural life of London.

The Fisher Center at Bard has revealed its SummerScape 2024 programming, running June 20 – August 18, 2024.

Stay the Same features a thoughtful and nuanced blend of electronic and microtonal music –– two styles that greatly influenced, informed, and shaped Thompson's four earlier albums: 2021's Red Folder, 2020's True Stories & Rational Numbers, 2019's Everything Imaginable Comes True, and 2017's Lot Hero (EP).

Soprano Lise Davidsen makes her highly anticipated role debut as Leonora in Verdi’s La Forza del Destino, opening February 26. Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts a stellar cast in the Met’s first new production of Forza in nearly 30 years. The Met: Live in HD transmission of La Forza del Destino will reach audiences in cinemas worldwide on March 9.

Performed for the first time outside Spain, El Patio Teatro’s Entrañas asks two simple questions: what does it mean to be a human, and what does it mean to be human? The deceptively simple title roughly translates as “Insides” and obfuscates the intellectual and emotional breadth and depth of this stunningly innovative work. 

State Theatre New Jersey presents Itzhak Perlman in Recital as part of its Classical Season Celebration on February 24, 2024. The program featuring Itzhak Perlman includes Handel's Violin Sonata in E Major, Op. 1, No. 15; Beethoven, Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 'Kreutzer'; and Schumann, Fantasiestücke, Op. 73. For this performance Perlman will be joined by pianist Rohan De Silva.  

Soprano Hera Hyesang Park released new album, 'Breathe,' featuring operatic classics and contemporary works. Joined by mezzo-soprano Emily D'Angelo and the Orchestra Del Teatro Carlo Felice. Watch the new music video featuring Park freediving. Out now on Deutsche Grammophon.

Meshing together live artwork, puppetry and music, Stereoptik’s latest work Antechamber is a theatrical experiment that largely delivers on its intriguing premise.

Thanks to some nifty “mixed reality” technology from Tin Drum, Oscar-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto is brought back to some semblance of life in Kagami.

What a year! I pulled out my notebook over a hundred times and came away, more often not, with a happy heart. Below is a condensed list of the very best - and worst - that I saw.

2023 has been a big year for theatre. It’s easy to say that every year, but in the past twelve months we have seen a real shakeup of artistic directors, as well as a whole series of new smash hits, from revivals to new musicals to cutting-edge plays. With the pandemic era of closed buildings and Zoom plays fading into memory, theatre is well and truly back and thriving.

DACAMERA has announced the singers for the world premiere of 'Music for New Bodies' by Matthew Aucoin and Peter Sellars.

Norwich Theatre has announced Tom Sleigh, current Chair of the Barbican Centre, will be appointed as Chair of Norwich Theatre.

Last night, (Thursday 30 November), Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) celebrated the official opening night of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro, which returned to the Barbican centre early this month for a strictly limited run.

Recently, we had the chance to speak with Ami Okumura Jones, who returns to the role of Satsuki, Mei’s older sister. We discussed what it has been like to be part of both the original and current production of the show, how it feels to be part of an adaptation of a classic Studio Ghibli film, and even her first reaction to seeing the puppets!

Rhiannon Faith Company premieres Lay Down Your Burdens at the Barbican Centre, another “socially conscious” work to add to their ever-growing portfolio

Join Attack Theatre for the world premiere of Rowhouse, a thrilling dance and music performance featuring Grammy nominee Dave Eggar and actress/rapper/songwriter Le'Asha Julius.

The Barbican has announced its next Theatre and Dance line-up beginning on 23 January and running until 9 June 2024. Learn more about the upcoming programming here!