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JANUARY

Welcome to the Southbank Centre

Happy New Year! The holiday spirit carries us into the start of the new year, as our Winter Festival continues for the first week of 2024, when you can catch our jazzed-up version of Nutcracker and family favourite Bluey’s Big Play before the end of their runs. Starting the year as we mean to go on, our classical music programme offers many opportunities to come together for electrifying experiences that move and unite us. We look forward to welcoming you throughout 2024 to enjoy performances by innovative and ambitious artists, including our brilliant family of Resident Orchestras and Artists.

Towards the end of the month is a highlight of our new performance and dance programme, as we welcome creative duo composer Philip Venables and director Ted Huffman with their latest collaboration, a music-theatre work dubbed ‘irresistibly, unforgettably compelling’ by The Guardian. Based on a cult 1977 book by Larry Mitchell and Ned Asta, The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions is a joyful, playful and musically glorious celebration of queer experience. Mark Ball Artistic Director

Classical music lights up the winter Step into our halls to experience the dazzling power of classical music, performed by brilliant artists and ensembles from around the world Classical music is a heart-lifting way to beat the post-holiday blues, so why not begin 2024 by taking a seat at one of our concerts? Our Autumn/Winter programme comes to an end this month, but we’ve got plenty more to come as Spring/Summer begins in February. Read on for a selection of highlights, packed with performances by world-class artists including our Resident Orchestras and Artists.

Resident Orchestras Our family of incredible Resident Orchestras is made up of Aurora Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Philharmonia Orchestra. To start the year, the LPO and violin superstar Anne-Sophie Mutter present music by legendary film composer John Williams; the London Sinfonietta looks back over its history of cutting-edge programming in Decades; and the Philharmonia is joined by celebrated pianist Mitsuko Uchida and their former Principal Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen for Beethoven’s sparkling Second Piano Concerto.

Keyboard and chamber music stars Violinist Randall Goosby, one of our current Resident Artists, curates a programme highlighting the connections between poetry,

folk songs and the music of Black composers. Clarinettist Michael Collins and friends treat us to an afternoon of evocative late chamber works by Brahms. And at the end of the month, piano duo Katia and Marielle Labèque conjure fairy-tale magic with their selection of works by Debussy, Schubert, Ravel and Philip Glass.

Something a bit different Concert, or sound bath? The two meet at Drone Refractions, where Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra challenge the conventions of classical music. Walk or sit between the 34 musicians as they perform a selection of minimalist works with mesmerising lighting, creating a transcendental atmosphere.

Music for all the family The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment leads us into a magical forest with its family-friendly reimagining of Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. Plus, children aged 2 – 5 and their grown-ups are invited on a musical adventure at the next edition of the OAE TOTS series.

Coming up in Spring/Summer 2024 Looking ahead to the start of Spring/Summer, February’s Imagine Children’s Festival offers more ways for children to get involved, including a new immersive storytelling performance from Aurora.

Also in February, Chineke! Orchestra returns with a world premiere by Tristen J.T. Watts and Saint-Saëns’ majestic Organ Symphony. In our Spring/Summer Artist Residencies, organist James McVinnie helps us celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Royal Festival Hall organ; pianist Alice Sara Ott returns for the second part of her residency, appearing with the Philharmonia for the UK premiere of a Bryce Dessner concerto; and, continuing their residencies, Randall Goosby joins the LPO in Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.3, violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja performs her powerful climate change-inspired Dies Irae, and Manchester Collective is joined by Fergus McCreadie and his jazz trio for a special double-bill event ending with a joy-filled ceilidh. Make sure you check out our full programme and start filling your 2024 diary with classical music events to stir the soul.

For all our classical music events, see our website or pick up a guide from the Royal Festival Hall

January highlights The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions

Fables and myths celebrate queer community, friendship and pleasure in this piece of music theatre retelling world history through a queer lens. Radical and playful, The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions brings together theatre, dance and song for the ultimate anarchic bedtime story. Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 January

Find out more and book online

Also this month... Hiroshi Sugimoto

Bluey’s Big Play

Nutcracker

Don't miss the largest survey to date of Hiroshi Sugimoto, an artist renowned for creating some of the most alluringly enigmatic photographs of our time.

Little ones will love Bluey’s Big Play, as the Heelers are brought to real life in a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the smash-hit TV show.

Dive head-on into a glittering wonderland at the sequin-filled show that’s as ‘clever, cute and compact as a Terry’s Chocolate Orange’ (Evening Standard).

Until Sunday 7 January

Until Saturday 6 January

Heecheon Kim: Double Poser

Where We Come From: Rap, Home & Hope in Modern Britain

TS Eliot Prize Readings

Our latest free exhibition in the Hayward Gallery’s HENI Project Space highlights the South Korean artist and film-maker’s explorations of technology. Until Sunday 7 January

Aniefiok Ekpoudom discusses his new book, a landmark social history of British rap and grime. Friday 26 January

A highlight of our literary year, this event spotlights the best new poetry coming out of the UK and Ireland, read by the ten poets shortlisted for this year's prize. Sunday 14 January

Classical music

Our programme celebrates the incredible 500-year history of classical music, bringing to life celebrated works from the past and telling brand new stories

Thursday 11

Genshin Concert Revisit Teyvat and the music from Genshin Impact, as the game’s score is played live in concert. Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra Arnie Roth conductor 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £45 – £85

Saturday 13

Michael Collins & Friends: Late Brahms Soak up the lavish Romanticism of Brahms with some of his most beautiful chamber music. Michael Collins clarinet Andreas Haefliger piano Talich Quartet Brahms Sonata in F minor for clarinet & piano, Op.120 No.1; Piano Quintet in F minor, Op.34; Sonata in E flat for clarinet & piano, Op.120 No.2; Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op.115 4pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £52.50

London Philharmonic Orchestra: Mutter Plays John Williams The film composer with the midas touch, played in AnneSophie Mutter’s golden tone, with the LPO. Jonathon Heyward conductor Anne-Sophie Mutter violin John Williams Superman March; Violin Concerto No.2 (UK premiere); The Duel from The Adventures of Tintin; Nice to be around from Cinderella Liberty; Hedwig's theme from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; Bernstein On the Waterfront Symphonic Suite 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70

Sunday 14

OAE TOTS: Spin, Spin a Story! Strike out on an interactive Baroque adventure with players from Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, for ages 2 – 5. 10.30am & 12 noon; Royal Festival Hall; £12 (adult) £4 (child)

Randall Goosby: Intersections – Black Music & Words An evening that takes us to the meeting place of music, literature and song. Randall Goosby violin Jameel Martin viola, narrator Eddie Pogossian cello Zhu Wang piano Coleridge-Taylor 5 Negro Melodies arr. for piano trio (from 24 Negro Melodies, Op.59); Perkinson Movement for string trio; Previn 4 Songs for soprano, cello & piano; Interspersed with spoken word including poems inspired by folk songs and spirituals 5pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25

Berlioz Harold in Italy with Dana Zemtsov

Saturday 20

Friday 26

Holst's The Planets

A Parisian soirée with Bath Festival Orchestra featuring music by Farrenc, Berlioz and Poulenc. Bath Festival Orchestra Peter Manning conductor Dana Zemtsov viola Farrenc Overture No.1 in E minor, Op.23; Berlioz Harold en Italie, Op.16; Poulenc Sinfonietta

Gustav Holst’s evocative and powerful planetary masterpiece crowns an evening of great classics. Philharmonia Orchestra Lee Reynolds conductor Tom Poster piano Verdi Overture, La forza del destino; Grieg Piano Concerto; Holst The Planets

Paraorchestra: Drone Refractions

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £40 Queen Elizabeth Hall at 6.15pm: pre-concert talk. Admission free to ticket holders

Wednesday 17

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: The Fairy Queen – Three Wishes Enchantment abounds as the OAE leads us into the reimagined landscape of The Fairy Queen as a family opera. For ages 6+. James Redwood conductor Kirsty Hopkins soprano Simone Ibbett-Brown mezzosoprano Timothy Dickinson bass-baritone Adam Courting narrator Hazel Gould director James Redwood The Fairy Queen: Three Wishes - family opera (featuring music from Purcell's The Fairy Queen) 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £35

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £19.50 – £57.50

Sunday 21

Avatar: The Last Airbender Aang's journey comes to life on screen while the series’ soundtrack is performed live by an orchestra. For ages 7+. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £31.50 – £95.50

Wednesday 24

London Philharmonic Orchestra: Symphonie fantastique Submit to Berlioz’ fabulous, opium-fuelled phantasmagoria with the LPO. London Philharmonic Orchestra Ryan Bancroft conductor Inon Barnatan piano Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1; Berlioz Symphonie fantastique

Thursday 18

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70

BBC Concert Orchestra: Streets of America

London Sinfonietta: Decades

From West Side Story to Biden’s America: Kwamé Ryan shares the USA’s untold stories. BBC Concert Orchestra Kwamé Ryan conductor Alicia Hall Moran soprano Gabriel Kahane singer Holland Andrews singer Holcombe Waller singer The Choir With No Name Jennifer Higdon Skyline from City Scape; Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story; Gabriel Kahane emergency shelter intake form (UK premiere)

The London Sinfonietta celebrates music it’s commissioned and performed throughout its history. Geoffrey Paterson conductor Simon Haram saxophone Programme includes Knussen Coursing; Tansy Davies Iris for soprano saxophone & chamber ensemble; Hannah Kendall Verdala; Takemitsu Tree line; Thomas Adès Living toys

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £30

Friday 19

London Philharmonic Orchestra: Family Ties – The Schumanns & The Mendelssohns The LPO proves that, for the Mendelssohns and the Schumanns, musical genius was a family affair. Natalia Ponomarchuk conductor Alexander Melnikov piano Fanny Mendelssohn Overture in C; Clara Schumann Piano Concerto, Op.7; Robert Schumann Introduction and Allegro, Op.134; Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No.3 in A minor (Scottish) 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £49

Charles Hazlewood leads Paraorchestra in an immersive drone odyssey via some of minimalism’s greatest composers. For ages 12+. Charles Hazlewood conductor Victoria Oruwari soprano Rylan Gleave Straylight (London premiere); Oliveros The Last Time (Ultima Vez); Arvo Pärt Fratres 7pm & 9pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; £15

Saturday 27

London Philharmonic Orchestra: Beethoven’s Seventh The LPO brings together three geniuses linked by passion, imagination and sheer, elemental creative power. Anja Bihlmaier conductor Martin James Bartlett piano Wagner Overture, Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman); Mozart Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor, K.466; Beethoven Symphony No.7 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70

Sunday 28

Katia & Marielle Labèque: Two Pianos Fall under the spell of the great piano duo as they play magically atmospheric music. Katia Labèque piano Marielle Labèque piano Schubert Fantasia in F minor for piano duet, D.940; Debussy 6 Epigraphes antiques for 2 pianos; Ravel Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) Suite for piano duet; Philip Glass 4 Movements for 2 pianos 7pm; Royal Festival Hall; £15 – £80

7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £32

Thursday 25

Philharmonia Orchestra: Mitsuko Uchida Plays Beethoven The revered pianist is the soloist in Beethoven’s joyous Second Piano Concerto, with the Philharmonia Orchestra and their former Principal Conductor. Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor Mitsuko Uchida piano Beethoven Overture, Leonore No.2; Piano Concerto No.2; Sibelius Lemminkäinen Suite, Op.22 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £20

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons. Classical music multi-buy: with our multibuy offers, you can book concerts from across our classical music programme and receive a discount. There is a small number of events that aren’t included in the multibuy offer. Check individual event pages on our website for further details. Children aged 7+ are welcome at most Southbank Centre classical concerts, except where indicated.

Art & exhibitions

From internationally acclaimed artists at the Hayward Gallery to free displays and outdoor installations, art and exhibitions can be found all around our site

Throughout the month

Thursday 4

Foyer Archives: A Great Sense of Space

Members-Only Hours: Hiroshi Sugimoto

This free archive display tells the story of the Royal Festival Hall foyers, from 1951 to the present.

Enjoy the largest survey to date of Hiroshi Sugimoto away from the crowds in this Members-only slot.

Until Sat 17 Feb; Mon & Tue, 10am – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 10am – 11pm; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

6pm; Hayward Gallery; Free to Members

A Birthday Garland

Uncovering Careers in the Arts

See our free exhibition of new work by artist Mary Kuper, commissioned to celebrate the National Poetry Library’s 70th anniversary. For all ages. Until Sun 12 May; Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon – 8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Thursday 11

Introduce your secondary school students to the behind-thescenes careers in the arts. This day is for secondary school groups (Year 9 – 11). 10am; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed

Until Sunday 7

MEMBERS GET Presale tickets

Get the first chance to book with priority booking.

Eye-popping art

Hiroshi Sugimoto The largest survey to date of an artist renowned for creating some of the most alluringly enigmatic photographs of our time.

See it all with a whole year of free entry to the Hayward Gallery.

Wed – Fri, 10am – 6pm; Sat, 10am – 8pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm (closed Mon & Tue); Hayward Gallery; Standard £18, Hayward Gallery supporter* £19.80 (free to Southbank Centre Members)

Knockout views

Take in the Thames from your own Members’ Lounge.

Winter Light Part of Winter Festival Over the dark winter nights, our site is illuminated by outdoor artworks that play with light and colour – explore to discover them all.

Delicious discounts

Treat yourself with up to 20% off in our shops and restaurants.

Across the site; Free

Heecheon Kim: Double Poser The artist’s first UK exhibition explores how technology affects our perceptions of the world. Wed – Fri, 10am – 6pm; Sat, 10am – 8pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm (closed Mon & Tue); HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons. * Supporter tickets include a voluntary donation of at least 10% of the standard admission charge, to support the Southbank Centre’s work. If you buy a supporter ticket and make a Gift Aid declaration, we can claim the tax paid on the full ticket price, not just the donation.

Join now from £69 southbankcentre.co.uk/join

Literature & talks

We’re the home of literature and spoken word events in the UK, and our programme brims with today’s bestselling authors, rising literary stars and award-winning poetry Throughout the month

Friday 12

Sunday 21

Friday 26

A Birthday Garland

Rug Rhymes at the NPL

See our free exhibition of new work by artist Mary Kuper, commissioned to celebrate the National Poetry Library’s 70th anniversary. For all ages.

Share songs and poems with your little ones in a short session of nursery rhymes for under-5s.

Out-Spoken Masterclass: January

Until Sun 12 May; Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon – 8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free

11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £4 (admits one adult and one child)

Established poets share techniques and inspiration at this hands-on writing workshop. For ages 18+. 1pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20

Sunday 14

TS Eliot Prize Readings

Thursday 25

The shortlisted poets read their work at the country’s biggest live poetry event. British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted. For ages 16+.

Back with its first outing for 2024 is the brilliant spoken word and live music night. For ages 18+.

7pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £15 Also available to watch online for £7.50

Out-Spoken: January

7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12

Share songs and poems with your little ones in a short session of nursery rhymes for under-5s. 11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £4 (admits one adult and one child)

Where We Come From: Rap, Home & Hope in Modern Britain Aniefiok Ekpoudom discusses his new social history of British rap and grime. For ages 16+. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15

Performance & dance

Sparkling dance shows, family fun and a joyful celebration of queer experience: discover international performance here in our venues Until Saturday 6

Nutcracker Part of Winter Festival Dive head-on into a glittering winter wonderland at this immersive reimagining of the festive classic. For ages 6+. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Various times; Tuff Nutt Jazz Club, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £15 – £150

Nutcracker Nights Part of Winter Festival Make a night of it at this exclusive live jazz show with dancing, taking place at our pop-up club after selected performances of Nutcracker. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Various times; Tuff Nutt Jazz Club, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £20 (Late Show tickets to Nutcracker also include entry to Nutcracker Nights; see website for details)

Until Sunday 7

Thursday 25 – Sunday 28

Bluey’s Big Play

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions

Part of Winter Festival Bluey’s Big Play brings the Heelers to life in a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the smash-hit TV show. Relaxed Performance (RP): Wed 3 Jan, 11am. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL): Fri 5 Jan, 2pm. For all ages. Various times; Royal Festival Hall; £20 – £29.50

Fables and myths celebrate queer community, friendship and pleasure in this piece of music theatre retelling world history through a queer lens. For ages 16+. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £50

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons.

Gigs

Whatever you’re into, join us for gigs showcasing sensational sounds from across the globe, including late-night jazz shows and free parties Until Saturday 6

Monday 1

Thursday 18

Sunday 21

Nutcracker Nights

New Year's Day Ceilidh

futuretense

Part of Winter Festival Make a night of it at this exclusive live jazz show with dancing, taking place at our pop-up club after selected performances of Nutcracker. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Part of Winter Festival Start the new year in raucous style with the musicians of the Ceilidh Liberation Front. For all ages.

Discover the best in new music from up-and-coming artists at our series of free gigs – stay tuned for artist announcements.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

1pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Aang's journey comes to life on screen while the series’ soundtrack is performed live by an orchestra. For ages 7+. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £31.50 – £95.50

Various times; Tuff Nutt Jazz Club, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £20 (Late Show tickets to Nutcracker also include entry to Nutcracker Nights; see website for details)

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons.

‘It’s hard to look away from this staggeringly inventive show’



 The Telegraph

The Observer

 Evening Standard

SUGIMOTO UNTIL 7 JAN 2024

MEMBERS GO FREE Hiroshi Sugimoto, East China Sea, Amakusa, 1992 © Hiroshi Sugimoto

Family

Our events are not just for the grown-ups – bring your little ones to meet lovable TV characters brought to life and rhyme and sing along at the National Poetry Library Until Sunday 7

Wednesday 10, 17, 24 & 31

Friday 12 & Friday 26

Wednesday 17

Bluey’s Big Play

Southbank Centre Youth Voices

Rug Rhymes at the NPL

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: The Fairy Queen – Three Wishes

Monday 1

New Year's Day Ceilidh Part of Winter Festival Start the new year in raucous style with the musicians of the Ceilidh Liberation Front. For all ages. 1pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Aged 10 – 18 and curious about singing? Join our group to discover the joy of singing together. 5pm; Various venues; Free (email emergingartists@southbankcentre.co.uk to sign up)

Thursday 11

Uncovering Careers in the Arts Introduce your secondary school students to the behind-thescenes careers in the arts. This day is for secondary school groups (Year 9 – 11). 10am; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed

Sunday 14

Enchantment abounds as the OAE leads us into the reimagined landscape of The Fairy Queen as a family opera. For ages 6+. James Redwood conductor Kirsty Hopkins soprano Simone Ibbett-Brown mezzosoprano Timothy Dickinson bass-baritone Adam Courting narrator Hazel Gould director James Redwood The Fairy Queen: Three Wishes - family opera (featuring music from Purcell's The Fairy Queen) 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £35

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons.

Free events

There's lots to see and do for free this month at the Southbank Centre, including exhibitions and displays, and the chance to dance away New Year’s Day with us Throughout the month

Monday 1

A Birthday Garland

New Year's Day Ceilidh

See our free exhibition of new work by artist Mary Kuper, commissioned to celebrate the National Poetry Library’s 70th anniversary. For all ages.

Part of Winter Festival Start the new year in raucous style with the musicians of the Ceilidh Liberation Front. For all ages.

Until Sun 12 May; Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon – 8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Foyer Archives: A Great Sense of Space This free archive display tells the story of the Royal Festival Hall foyers, from 1951 to the present. Until Sat 17 Feb; Mon & Tue, 10am – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 10am – 11pm; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Heecheon Kim: Double Poser The artist’s first UK exhibition explores how technology affects our perceptions of the world.

1pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Until Sun 7 Jan; Wed – Fri, 10am – 6pm; Sat, 10am – 8pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm (closed Mon & Tue); HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free

Until Sunday 7

Thursday 18

Winter Light Part of Winter Festival Over the dark winter nights, our site is illuminated by outdoor artworks that play with light and colour – explore to discover them all. Across the site; Free

futuretense Discover the best in new music from up-and-coming artists at our series of free gigs – stay tuned for artist announcements. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Wednesday 10, 17, 24 & 31

Southbank Centre Youth Voices Aged 10 – 18 and curious about singing? Join our group to discover the joy of singing together. 5pm; Various venues; Free (email emergingartists@southbankcentre.co.uk to sign up)

Thursday 11

Uncovering Careers in the Arts Introduce your secondary school students (years 9 – 11) to behindthe-scenes careers in the arts. 10am; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed (for secondary school groups)

Upcoming highlights Imagine Children's Festival Our annual festival for children and their grown-ups is back, with more than 100 events to choose from – and loads of them are free! Imagine Children’s Festival takes place over 11 days at half-term in February, with brilliant theatre, comedy, music, literature, poetry, dance and family fun on offer, designed for children aged 0 – 11.

It’s all about inspiring creativity, celebrating the individuality of every child, championing diversity and sparking imaginations. Wednesday 7 – Saturday 17 February

Also coming soon

When Forms Come Alive

Transatlantic Sessions

Roger Eno + NYX

Spanning over 60 years of contemporary sculpture, this exhibition highlights ways in which artists draw on familiar experiences of movement, flux and organic growth.

The roof-raising Transatlantic Sessions returns for 2024, exploring and celebrating the rich musical traditions that connect Scotland, Ireland and the US.

In a double bill, drone choir NYX presents a new ecstatic choral work, and Roger Eno performs music from his latest album, the skies, they shift like chords.

Sunday 11 February

Sunday 25 February

Andrew McMillan: Pity

Ballet national de Marseille: Roommates

Wednesday 7 February – Monday 6 May

Patricia Kopatchinskaja: Dies Irae The innovative violinist, one of our Resident Artists for Spring/ Summer 2024, responds to climate change in a staged production that contrasts old music with new. Wednesday 21 February

Andrew McMillan discusses his magnificent debut novel, a lament for a lost way of life centred round a South Yorkshire mining family, with Max Porter. Thursday 8 February

Dancers from Ballet national de Marseille perform six pieces – from minimalist to hyper-realist – chosen by (LA)HORDE to celebrate the dance collective’s influences. Friday 1 – Sunday 3 March

Eat & explore Get stuck in to the new year January doesn’t have to be grey. Here are some of our top food and drink spots around the Southbank Centre for brightening up the first month of the year. Lift your spirits Looking to kick off 2024 in style? Ping Pong’s tantalising menu is sure to be a bright spot in any calendar, with steaming plates of dumplings taking the edge off the dark skies outside. And with a tasty vegan menu and moreish mocktails, it’s the perfect place to turn New Year’s resolutions into treats. Raise a roast to January There’s nothing like a fresh riverside walk and delicious coffee before a show or exhibition to get you full of beans. The small but mighty Beany Green

provides the perfect combination of a delicious hot brew and a great opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of our waterfront parade. Turn up the heat If you’re feeling the chill, take a trip to sunnier climes with Las Iguanas’ foodie fiesta and delicious drinks. With flavours designed to transport you to South America (if you focus really hard, the lapping of the Thames almost sounds like waves on a white-sand beach), you’ll be toasty – or tostada-y – in no time! Discover all the places that you can eat and drink around our riverside home on our website. southbankcentre.co.uk/foodanddrink

Making an entrance With our current free exhibition Foyer Archives: A Great Sense of Space, we’re pressing our noses up to the foyer’s doors to see the cast of history interact with the Royal Festival Hall’s public spaces. How many feet have passed through the entrances of the Southbank Centre since it opened its doors to the public in 1951? What kinds of fascinating conversations have bounced around the building in the almost three quarters of a century since then? Wouldn’t we like to be a very long-lived fly on these foyer walls? A designated public space since 1983, the Royal Festival Hall’s foyers have been a literal and symbolic entrance to the arts for many, offering free

programming and a space for everyone to engage in the cultural life of the city and beyond. Until mid-February, you can take a trip back in time to discover the unseen stories behind these spaces, which have brought people together for seven decades and counting. In this illuminating display of our archival photographs, there are countless hidden histories to discover – without needing to turn into a fly after all. Until Sat 17 Feb; Mon & Tue, 10am – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 10am – 11pm; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free

How to book tickets

Queen Elizabeth Hall & Purcell Room

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Royal Festival Hall

Online southbankcentre.co.uk* By phone 020 3879 9555* For information about concessions, see southbankcentre.co.uk *Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons. Booking fees for Hayward Gallery exhibition tickets: £3 online, £3.50 over the phone. Please check our website for opening times before travelling to our venues over the holiday period.

Scan the QR code to see our full event listings.

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Access IMAX

The Southbank Centre is accessible to all and level access is available to all of our venues. For further information and details of accessible events, see our website. southbankcentre.co.uk/access London Waterloo East

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While you’re here

Stay in the know

Eating, drinking and shopping? Take in the views over food and drinks at the Riverside Terrace Cafe, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, and visit our shops for products inspired by our great cultural experiences, iconic buildings and central London location. Find more to explore on-site at Beany Green, Côte Brasserie, Foyles, Giraffe, Honest Burgers, La Gamba, Las Iguanas, Ping Pong, Pret, Strada, Skylon, wagamama and Wahaca. The Southbank Centre Food Market is closed throughout January.

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Membership Become a Member and get the first chance to book for all of our events, including go-down-in-history gigs, sublime symphonies and blockbuster literature events. Members also get access to our Members' Lounge, free entry to the Hayward Gallery year-round and a discount on selected retailers and restaurants. Check our website for more details. southbankcentre.co.uk/membership

Supporters Circles Enjoy all of the benefits of Membership, as well as getting closer to the artists with invitations to rehearsals, openings and more. southbankcentre.co.uk/join

Name a seat Dedicate a seat in one of our concert halls to your favourite person. southbankcentre.co.uk/nameaseat

Environmental sustainability Environmental sustainability is hugely important to the Southbank Centre and is one of our strategic priorities, and we’re already making progress towards our aim of being a net zero carbon organisation by 2040. For further information, see our website. southbankcentre.co.uk/sustainability

This guide has been made using 100% recycled paper.

Listings correct at time of going to press (2024). Southbank Centre is a registered charity no. 298909

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On the cover One of our foremost cultural chroniclers, Aniefiok Ekpoudom is here on Friday 26 January to discuss his new book, Where We Come From: Rap, Home & Hope in Modern Britain, a landmark social history of British rap and grime.

Image credits Cover: Aniefiok Ekpoudom © Blaow Inside cover: Mitsuko Uchida & the Mahler Chamber Orchestra © May Zircus This month's highlights: The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions © Damien Frost; Hiroshi Sugimoto, UA Playhouse, New York, 1978. © Hiroshi Sugimoto, courtesy of the artist; Bluey’s Big Play © courtesy of Dressing Room 5; Nutcracker © Mark Senior; Kim Heecheon, Deep in the forking Tanks (2019), courtesy of the artist; Aniefiok Ekpoudom © Blaow; TS Eliot Prize Readings © Herbert Vandyk, by permission of Houghton Library, Harvard University Header images: Classical music: BBC Concert Orchestra: Streets of America, Conductor Kwamé Ryan © Mark Allan; Art & exhibitions: Installation view of Hiroshi Sugimoto, Opticks 163, 2018 - 2022. Chromogenic print. Photo: Mark Blower. Courtesy the artist and the Hayward Gallery; Literature & talks: Out-Spoken Masterclass © Out-Spoken; Performance & dance: The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions © Damien Frost; Gigs: Nutcracker Nights: Matt Henry; Family: Bluey’s Big Play © Darren Thomas; Free events: Winter Light: David Ogle: Loomin, 2020. Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Owen Billcliffe Upcoming highlights: Imagine Children’s Festival characters © Jon Burgerman; When Forms Come Alive: Tara Donovan, Untitled (Mylar) 2011/2018. Installation view, MCA Denver. Photo: Christopher Burke. Courtesy the artist and Pace Gallery; Transatlantic Sessions © Gaelle Beri; Patricia Kopatchinskaja © Julia Wesely; Roger Eno © Cecily Eno; Andrew McMillan © Sophie Davidson; Grime Ballet – Dance Because You Can’t Talk to Animals © Thierry Hauswald Eat & explore: Ping Pong Southbank Centre © Adam Luszniak; Southbank Centre Archive © Danni Ferri