Southbank Centre News

Throughout an unorthodox career that has Grammy nominations and tours, Jake Shears has continued to shape-shift: he has not only written an acclaimed memoir (‘Boys Keep Swinging’) and performed on Broadway, but also recently opened a musical in London to rave reviews (Tammy Faye, written alongside Elton John and British playwright James Graham).

The World Premiere of ALI will be presented in Ali's hometown of Louisville, at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, in Fall 2024. Learn more about the show here!

Streatham Space Project is hosting Between Worlds, a festival of storytelling from May 24th - June 8th. Three distinct shows by London's most exciting young storytellers explore identity, place and time. Interweaving live soundscapes, projected illustrations and some good ol' fashioned spinning of yarn, the shows will transport the audience across Southern India, Trinidad, fabled pasts and dystopian futures.

The Southbank Centre has announced the late night events and parties as part of Christine and the Queens' Meltdown, taking place this summer Friday 9 June until Sunday 18 June, as well as additional performances in the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room.

The title of Circa’s Humans 2.0 has a double meaning: as well as being a new iteration of their 2017 show Humans, it explores on what could be the saving future graces for our benighted species: trust, community and incredibly fit bodies.

A vibrant and diverse cast of 14 LGBTQIA+ and Deaf performers will come together to perform Emma Frankland and Subira Joy's adaptation of John Lyly's early modern play Galatea at Brighton Festival, which was written in the 1580s and performed in front of Elizabeth I.

All new photos have been released from the UK tour of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL! Check out the photos here!

Now in its 8th year, SPINE Festival transforms libraries into creative hubs, introducing children aged 5 – 11 to the joys of their local library, to different art forms and to all the wonderful ways that words can be used. 16 London boroughs will be hosting their own programmes of free workshops and performances supported by leading spoken word poetry organisation Apples and Snakes and a team of 16 Artists in Residence.

Physical Theatre creator/performer Wolfe Bowart returns to the stage with One Twig at a Time, a magical new work of visual theater premiering April 13-30 at the Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre.

Award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown OBE DL has been announced as the host of the Love In Mind concert taking place on 30th April at the Southbank Centre to launch the Harvey Parker Trust, a new charity supporting the mental health and well-being of young creatives.

The biggest night in theatre, the Olivier Awards, was celebrated at the Royal Albert Hall on 2 April. Hosted by renowned stage and screen actor Hannah Waddingham, a three-time Olivier Award nominee herself, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre, and are Britain's most prestigious stage honours. Here are this year's award winners!

From my experience, I think there’s a snobbery within the theatre community that these shows are not as important, or worthy as their adult aimed counterparts. But in my opinion, these shows are really important, because very often they are someone first theatre experience, and with that comes the opportunity to make new people fall in love with theatre.

The Southbank Centre has announced the return of its free gig series futuretense, featuring performances from some of London's most exciting underground and emerging artists, as well as those from further afield.

Legendary singer, songwriter and performer GRETCHEN PETERS has announced what will be her final ever tour of the UK. Over 25 years since she first set foot on British stages, the Nashville-via-New-York star will be returning for one last hurrah as she confirms a Farewell Tour across the country throughout May 2023.

Sohaya Vision alongside Mukul and Ghetto Tigers have announced the world première of breaDth at Omnibus Theatre. Written by Raminder Kaur, Artistic Director of Sohaya Vision, and directed by Mukul Ahmed, Artistic Director of Mukul and Ghetto Tigers, the production opens on 17 May with previews from 16 May and runs until 3 June.

Tony- and Emmy-winning actress, singer, and dancer LaChanze has joined the lineup of Wall to Wall Women of Soul at Symphony Space.

Jake Shears (the musician and frontman of seminal NYC indie glam-pop greats Scissor Sisters) has shared brand new track, “Devil Came Down the Dance Floor”, featuring Amber Martin. It’s the second preview of his forthcoming album Last Man Dancing, which was introduced in irresistible style recently with first single “Too Much Music”.

On Friday 17 March, the Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard hosted their Nominees’ Celebration, in partnership with Cunard at The Londoner hotel, the world's first super boutique hotel in the heart of London's theatre district. Notable nominees such as Rose Ayling-Ellis, Beverley Knight, Rob Madge, Rafe Spall and Giles Terera were in attendance, among many of the other nominated theatre makers. Check out the photos here!

Television star Tom Read Wilson will star as Squidward in the UK Premiere of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, joining the previously announced Divina de Campo as Plankton.

The Southbank Centre has announced the highly anticipated first acts performing as part of Christine and the Queens’ Meltdown. Reflecting the wealth of Christine and the Queens’ influences and inspirations, the 28th edition of the world’s longest-running artist curated festival will take place this summer, Friday 9 June until Sunday 18 June.