D A N C E / P E R F O R M A N C E / L I T E R AT U R E
FES TI VA L S / MUSIC / V ISUA L A R TS
HIGHLIGHTS
January / February / March
Welcome
Since I founded WOW festival in 2011, it has grown to become 20 festivals across five continents, and counting. It seems millions of people want to hear the stories of women and girls, celebrate their achievements and look at the obstacles they face in today’s world. Join us this March in the heart of London for another great week of talks and performances. This spring also brings us Imagine Children’s Festival, featuring talks with an extraordinary line-up of children’s authors, and shows and activities for the whole family. It’s twelve days filled with half-term fun for ages 0 to 12. Hayward Gallery is reopening this January, after a restoration that has brought its pyramid roof lights into use for the first time in the gallery’s history. Our first show, on the Hayward’s 50th anniversary year, is a major exhibition of the work of spectacular photographer Andreas Gursky. Of course, that’s not all. Our spring classical concerts present international music stars and our magnificent resident orchestras. There are gigs, performances, literary events and dance shows for every taste. And our immersive show about the much-loved 1970s pop stars ABBA shares never-before-seen artefacts from the band’s career. As they once sang, happy new year! Jude Kelly CBE, Artistic Director
Imagine Children’s Festival Wednesday 7 – Sunday 18 February
Once upon a time, there was a children’s festival where kids could hear their favourite authors, join in at familyfriendly performances and get creative in fun workshops.
Snigel and Friends
An Afternoon with Jacqueline Wilson
Wednesday 7 – Friday 9 February, 11am (Thursday and Friday only), 1pm & 3pm
Saturday 17 February, 2pm
Snigel the inquisitive snail (leading UK disabled dancer Caroline Bowditch) and some insect friends dance, play and sing in a show for children aged under 12 months and accompanying adults.
Revolting Rhymes
Two 30-minute animated films from Magic Light Pictures serve classic fairytales with music from a live orchestra. See Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and The Three Little Pigs as you’ve never seen them before. For ages 6 – 11 Monday 12 February, 2pm
Harry Hill presents Matt Millz
Members get more Priority booking Exclusive cafe-bar with river views Free entry to Hayward Gallery 20% off in our shops.
Matt wants to be a stand up comedian, but at age 12 there’s a lot getting in his way. Come and hear about Harry Hill’s new book, and see live drawing and mischief-making from the Beano. For ages 7 – 12 Saturday 17 February, 11am
Best-selling author Jacqueline Wilson talks about much-loved characters like Hetty Feather and Tracy Beaker. She also discusses her latest paperback, Wave Me Goodbye, set at the start of World War Two, and invites questions. For ages 9 – 12
‘The Big Family Quiz’ with Patrick Monahan
Fronted by a quizmaster who makes everyone from toddlers to grannies helpless with laughter, this family fun quiz was a runaway hit at the 2016 and 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Prepare for a quick-fire competition. For ages 5+ Sunday 18 February, 12 noon & 2pm
Kid Normal Greg James and Chris Smith
Calling all heroes and villains: Greg James and Chris Smith want you to get inspired by their laugh-out-loud tale of kids with special powers, Kid Normal. Help create a new superhero story, and enjoy games, singing and audience participation. For ages 7+ Sunday 18 February, 2pm
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Pictured: Disco Loco, Sunday 18 February
Festival 3
WOW – Women of the World Wednesday 7 – Sunday 11 March
Around the world, individuals and communities are asking why gender equality is taking so long. Come to WOW London to discuss solutions together, and celebrate everything girls and women have achieved.
WOW Passes
Get a WOW pass for one, two or three days and hear from women who are changing the world. Events include Friday’s Code-switching, a session on how it feels to be a woman of colour working in a majority-white space; Saturday’s All the Single Ladies: a discussion group on the dating game; and Sunday’s panel about how scientific research on women has been plagued by bias for more than a century. Friday 9, Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 March
Mirth Control
Hosted by Sandi Toksvig, this annual WOW highlight is a raucous night of comedy and music inspired by great women. Enjoy performances from the WOW Orchestra and its guest conductors, plus stand-up comedy. Sunday 11 March, 7.30pm
Kathy Lette’s Girls Night Out
Feminist author Kathy Lette’s new show takes in making the Queen laugh, hiding Julian Assange in her attic, tongue kissing Prince William and Close Encounters of the George Clooney Kind. Grab your friends and come along. Sunday 11 March, 8pm
Manwatching
A funny, frank, and occasionally explicit insight into heterosexual female desire. A male comedian reads a script they’ve never seen before, written by an anonymous woman. This is a show about what one woman thinks about when she thinks about sex with men. Friday 9 & Saturday 10 March, 8pm
No More
2017 brought the global Women’s March and the continued mobilisation of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. 2018 has brought an avalanche of sexual assault accusations. A century after some women gained the right to vote in the UK, we rally round the issues of today.
‘It is a better world because girls are educated and women have the vote. So why would we stop now?’ Artistic Director Jude Kelly, founder of WOW
Saturday 10 March, 7.30pm 4 Festival
Pictured: WOW Speed Mentoring
Festival 5
Classical Music
OAE: Marin Alsop & Nicola Benedetti
Star violinist Nicola Benedetti performs with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for the first time, playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto conducted by Marin Alsop. The orchestra also perform his Fourth Symphony, influenced by Haydn.
Intimate piano recitals and grand orchestral concerts, fresh modern repertoire and breath-taking classics. Our classical music series and Resident Orchestras have something for everyone. Come along and see.
Sunday 4 February, 7pm
Philharmonia Orchestra - Mahler: Symphony No.4
The Philharmonia Orchestra performs Mahler’s celestial Fourth Symphony, describing a heaven where angels bake bread and Saint Peter goes fishing. They are joined by soprano Chen Reiss to present songs by Richard Strauss celebrating life and love. Sunday 11 February, 7.30pm
‘Southbank Centre, together with its family of Resident and Associate Orchestras, is committed to bringing music from the greatest performers and composers around the globe’
Our Resident Orchestras
Southbank Centre is home to four Resident Orchestras. Between them they give around 100 concerts here each year, from the Baroque to the brand new. Philharmonia Orchestra London Philharmonic Orchestra London Sinfonietta The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Director of Music Gillian Moore, MBE
This is just a sample of our upcoming classical music concerts: for more, see our Classical Guide or visit southbankcentre.co.uk/classical
Paul Lewis
Paul Lewis is one of today’s most celebrated interpreters of Classical repertoire. The British pianist brings together three key figures, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, tracing the thread of musical heritage from one to the next. Tuesday 23 January, 7.30pm
London Sinfonietta 50th Anniversary Concert
50 years to the day since its first concert, the orchestra celebrates with the music that has shaped its identity. Co-founder David Atherton joins George Benjamin and Vladimir Jurowski to conduct pieces by Stravinsky, Ligeti and Birtwistle. Wednesday 24 January, 7.30pm
London Philharmonic Orchestra: The Fairytale Begins
The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Jurowski bring you music from Imperial Russia by Rimsky-Korsakov, Glazunov, Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky, including Stravinsky’s exuberantly romantic First Symphony. The concert features the superb Hungarian virtuoso Kristóf Baráti.
Maurizio Pollini
Maurizio Pollini is revered worldwide as today’s towering elder statesman of the piano. He makes a welcome return to Royal Festival Hall for a Chopin and Schumann mix, including the wonderful, lesser known Allegro in B minor. Tuesday 13 March, 7.30pm
Saturday 3 February, 7.30pm 6 Series
Pictured: Nicola Benedetti
Series 7
Gigs
Performance and Dance
There’s nothing like hearing your favourite artists live. Whatever your taste, get the full experience in Royal Festival Hall, as we welcome the stars of every musical genre.
Whether you love to catch the latest shows, or it’s your first time in the audience, we have something for you. This spring, children can enjoy the performances at Imagine Children’s Festival.
Whyte Horses Experience
A rare live appearance from the enigmatic Mancunian psychedelic pop group as they perform the entirety of their debut album. They are joined by special guests including La Roux, members of The Go! Team and more (to be announced). Wednesday 14 March, 7.30pm
Glen Hansard
Catch the beautifully crafted folk pop and dreamy alternative rock of Irish songwriter and guitarist Glen Hansard. He performs songs from his new album Between Two Shores, the most recent in over two years. Friday 9 February, 7.30pm
David Rodigan and The Outlook Orchestra
Broadcaster and DJ David Rodigan joins forces with the critically acclaimed 25-piece Outlook Orchestra for a captivating one-off performance. ‘David’s vast knowledge of Jamaican music… has helped to educate music lovers around the world’ (Shaggy).
YAYAYA AYAYAY
Tidy Up
Me and My Bee
Tuesday 20 – Thursday 22 March, various times
Friday 16 – Sunday 18 February, 11am & 2pm
Saturday 10 – Monday 12 February, 11am & 2pm
Fresh from sell-out shows at Glasgow’s Tramway, this perception-challenging sensory performance sets out to tease your imagination. Expect hallucinatory strangeness and extraordinary choreography.
Embrace the mess and achieve harmony in a dancetheatre show. When it starts out ship-shape, there’s only one way to go – all messed up! This witty and uplifting journey through chaos is for ages 3+. Part of Imagine.
Climate change is massive. Bees aren’t. Our fuzzy little friends need our help and so theatre company ThisEgg is launching a political party disguised as a party party disguised as a show. Part of Imagine. For ages 7+
Friday 2 March, 8pm
8 Events
Pictured: Glen Hansard
Pictured: YAYAYA AYAYAY
Events 9
Literature
Visual Arts
Keep abreast of the latest in literature at our events featuring highprofile authors. Plus, this February, children and families can see the faces behind beloved books at Imagine Children’s Festival.
2018 marks Hayward Gallery’s 50th anniversary year, and its reopening after a two-year refurbishment. For the first time, the gallery’s pyramid roof lights allow natural light into the spaces below.
TS Eliot Prize Readings
Hear from some of the best poets in the English-speaking world, competing for ‘the prize most poets want to win.’ On the 25th anniversary of the TS Eliot Prize, the ten shortlisted poets read their work. Sunday 14 January, 7pm
An Afternoon with Jacqueline Wilson
Best-selling author Jacqueline Wilson talks about much-loved characters like Hetty Feather and Tracy Beaker. She also discusses her latest paperback, Wave Me Goodbye, set at the start of World War Two, and invites questions. Part of Imagine.
Polari
Adele Anderson is one third of the satirical musical cabaret group Fascinating Aida. She shares her personal history for LGBTQ+ History Month at Polari, London’s favourite LGBTQ+ literary salon - now in its 11th year. For ages 16+ Friday 16 February, 7.30pm
Saturday 17 February, 2pm
10 Events
Pictured: Jacqueline Wilson
Andreas Gursky
Discover ‘the pure joy of seeing’ at the first major UK retrospective of acclaimed German photographer Andreas Gursky. He is acclaimed for his spectacular portrayal of the sites and scenes of the global economy. From Thursday 25 January, various times
David Batchelor: Sixty Minute Spectrum
More visual arts on-site: ABBA: Super Troupers
Until Sunday 25 March
Until Sunday 29 April, various times
This new commission transforms the newly restored Hayward Gallery roof into a chromatic clock. The gallery’s pyramid roof lights move through the colour spectrum every hour, counting down to the reopening of the building.
Come on a musical journey with Swedish pop sensation ABBA as they take over 1970s Britain. Get close to neverbefore-seen items from the band’s archive including personal notes, memorabilia and iconic costumes, in nine immersive rooms.
Artwork: Andreas Gursky, Les Mées, 2016, © Andreas Gursky/DACS, 2017. Courtesy: Sprüth Magers
Enjoy our Site
Southbank Centre
Access
We believe art has the power to help create a better world for everyone. That’s why we began in 1951 on the South Bank of the Thames. Dreamed up after World War Two, the Festival of Britain gave the nation hope for a brighter future. Today, millions of people gather at our festivals to enjoy culture from around the world. We put on 5,700 concerts, gigs, exhibitions, shows and debates each year, half of them for free. Our work can be seen on six continents and in 37 towns and cities across the UK. Come and see for yourself.
Southbank Centre is accessible to all and level access is available to all of our venues. Please see southbankcentre.co.uk/access for all access information.
Southbank Centre occupies a 17-acre site in the midst of London’s vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames. This includes Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, and Hayward Gallery. We also curate the outdoor spaces along the riverfront and around our venues, providing free art for millions of people every year.
Enjoy the capital’s best street food every Friday to Sunday at Southbank Centre’s Food Market. We also have restaurants and cafes galore – and we can’t resist listing them all. Our venues are Central Bar, Topolski, Las Iguanas, Caffe Vergnano 1882, EAT., Le Pain Quotidien, Beany Green, Riverside Terrace Cafe, Skylon, Ping Pong, The Wahaca Southbank Experiment, Strada, Canteen, Honest Burgers, wagamama, Yo! Sushi and Giraffe.
Hayward Gallery re-opens in January 2018. Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room re-open in Spring 2018.
Getting here
It is easy to get to Southbank Centre via tube, train or bus. For more information see southbankcentre.co.uk/visit. Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
Eating and drinking
Shop
Join our family of supporters and help us continue to present as many free activities as possible, making art available to all at southbankcentre.co.uk/support
Our two on-site shops and online emporium offer a thoughtful selection of items inspired by our festival and events. Browse to find gifts, jewellery, books, stationery, household goods and much more. Shop on site or at shop.southbankcentre.co.uk
Membership
Explore
Support
Become a Member and be first in line for tickets to over 5,700 events. Join now at southbankcentre.co.uk/membership
How to book tickets Online southbankcentre.co.uk* By phone 020 3879 9555* 9am – 8pm daily. In person Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office 10am – 8pm daily. * There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £2.50 online; £3 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a 75p delivery charge applies.
Did you know there’s a beehive on the roof of Royal Festival Hall? Unravel the secrets of our iconic venues in tours from January to March. Our Behind-the-scenes tour allows you to take a peek at life backstage, while our Architecture tour conveys expert information about our revolutionary brutalist buildings. Find out more at southbankcentre.co.uk/tours Cover credits: David Batchelor: Sixty Minute Spectrum © Morley Von Sternberg Photo credits: page 4 © Belinda Lawley, page 6 © Simon Fowler, page 8 © Shiobhan Walsh, page 9 © Live Collision, Dublin, page 10 © James Jordan, page 11 © Andreas Gursky/DACS, 2017. Courtesy: Sprüth Magers Listings correct at time of going to press. Southbank Centre is a registered charity, no. 298909
To receive publications in alternative formats and further information, email accesslist@ southbankcentre.co.uk or phone 0203 879 9555