An unforgettable first concert experience for all the family
Sunday 23 March 2025
Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall
Welcome to the Southbank Centre
We’re the largest arts centre in the UK and one of the nation’s top visitor attractions, showcasing the world’s most exciting artists at our venues in the heart of London. We’re here to present great cultural experiences that bring people together, and open up the arts to everyone.
The Southbank Centre is made up of the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery, National Poetry Library and Arts Council Collection. We’re one of London’s favourite meeting spots, with lots of free events and places to relax, eat and shop next to the Thames.
We hope you enjoy your visit. If you need any information or help, please ask a member of staff. You can also email us at hello@southbankcentre.co.uk or write to us at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.
Subscribers to our email updates are the first to hear about new events, offers and competitions. Just head to our website to sign up.
Production support from Richard Mallett Arts Management.
FUNharmonics foyer activities are generously supported by Stentor Music Co. Ltd and Jupiter. Images © Magic Light Pictures Limited 2019
The LPO would love to hear from you!
We hope you and your family are enjoying your time at FUNharmonics today! Could you spare a few moments afterwards to complete a short survey about your experience? Your feedback is invaluable to us and will help to shape our future plans. Just scan the QR code to begin the survey. Thank you!
On stage today
Juya Shin conductor
Lucy Hollins presenter
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Welcome to the Royal Festival Hall and to today’s performance of The Snail and the Whale by the London Philharmonic Orchestra! In today’s concert we join the tiny snail and the enormous humpback whale on their life-changing adventure around the world, through the Magic Light Pictures film based on the beloved story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. We will encounter towering icebergs, starlit seas and fiery mountains, as well as lots of wonderful music! Get ready to sing along with the Orchestra in our fun new underwater song, guided by our presenter Lucy. Make sure to head over to our SINGharmonics workshop to get a head start learning the song before the concert, and visit our Meet the Orchestra and Have a Go workshops to learn more about the instruments you are going to hear. ‘The sea is deep and the world is wide,’ and we can’t wait to explore it through music and film with you!
Today’s music
Francis Poulenc
Lucy Hollins, arr. Mark Dickman
René Aubry
Benjamin Britten
Deux Marches et un Intermède
Deep Down Under the Sea
The Snail and the Whale (live with film)
Irish Reel
Foyer activities at the Royal Festival Hall
OAE Tots
Level 5 Function Room
10.15–10.45am
11.15–11.45am
12.15–12.45pm
Have a Go: Woodwind
Green Bar
10.00–11.45am
Meet the Orchestra: Harp & Percussion
Sunley Pavilion
10.00–11.45am
Meet the Orchestra Singharmonics
Have a Go
OAE Tots
5
4
3
The National Poetry Library
Have a Go: Strings Blue Bar
10.00–11.45am
Meet the Orchestra: Brass
2
Singharmonics
The Clore Ballroom
10.30–10.50am | 11.00–11.20 am | 11.30–11.50
A fun vocal workshop, suitable for the whole family – bring your voice and get ready to learn our audience participation song for today, led by Rosie Adediran.
See and hear orchestral instruments up close in our interactive chamber music sessions inspired by today’s concert. Sessions last around 15 minutes and are drop-in. Suitable for ages 5+. Pre-concert only. Concert ticket-holders only. Please be aware spaces are subject to availability.
Try out different instruments with expert musicians from the string and woodwind families. Suitable for ages 6+. Pre-concert only. Concert ticket-holders only. Please be aware spaces are subject to availability.
An introduction to the period instruments of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment as they play music inspired by today’s concert. Suitable for ages 2–5. Pre-booked ticket-holders only (ticketed separately).
Blue