Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd
London,
BUILT: 1951
SEATING CAPACITY: 2909
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Royal Festival Hall History
Royal Festival Hall was built in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain, the Grade I listed Hall is one of the world’s leading performance venues. The concert halls were originally funded and managed by the London County Council and their successors, the Greater London Council. The Centre became an independent arts organisation in April 1988, after two years operating as a constituent part of the Arts Council.
Shows at the Royal Festival Hall
DATES PRODUCTION 6/14/2019 - 7/5/2019 The Light in the Piazza (2019) 12/18/2017 - 1/4/2018 Slava's Snowshow (2017) 12/17/2012 - 1/7/2013 Slava's Snowshow (2012) 7/31/2007 - 9/2/2007 Carmen Jones (2007) 2/11/2005 - 2/12/2005 Candide (2005) 8/7/2003 - 9/6/2003 On Your Toes (2003) 8/6/2002 - 8/31/2002 Follies (2002) 6/15/2002 - 6/16/2002 Carousel (2002) 2/13/2000 - 2/13/2000 Sweeney Todd (2000) 6/7/1992 - 6/7/1992 Nine (1992) 7/1/1977 - 7/1/1977 Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1977)
News
Preston Nyman and Eva Feiler to Lead DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE UK Premiere At Arcola Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2026
Arcola Theatre has announced the cast for the upcoming production of DEAR JACK DEAR LOUISE, featuring Preston Nyman and Eva Feiler, directed by Simon Reade.
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2026
Arcola Theatre has announced the cast for the upcoming production of DEAR JACK DEAR LOUISE, featuring Preston Nyman and Eva Feiler, directed by Simon Reade.
Edward Gardner Returns to the U.S. For Return Engagement With Chicago Symphony & Pittsburgh Symphony Debut
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2026
British conductor Ed Gardner will make his debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and return to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in May, showcasing works by British composers.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2026
British conductor Ed Gardner will make his debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and return to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in May, showcasing works by British composers.
Reimagined THE AGE OF CONSENT Comes to Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026
A new generation of queer artists will take to the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall stage to reimagine The Age of Consent, the groundbreaking 1984 debut album by Bronski Beat.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 24, 2026
A new generation of queer artists will take to the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall stage to reimagine The Age of Consent, the groundbreaking 1984 debut album by Bronski Beat.
HAMNET, SINNERS, & More Win 2026 BAFTA Awards - Full List of Winners
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 23, 2026
Hamnet, Chloé Zhao's film about William and Agnes Shakespeare, took home the award for Outstanding British Film at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. Check out the full list of winners here.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 23, 2026
Hamnet, Chloé Zhao's film about William and Agnes Shakespeare, took home the award for Outstanding British Film at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. Check out the full list of winners here.
Olly Alexander and Iz Hesketh Join Cast for UK Reading of RIGHT BEFORE I GO
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2026
Olly Alexander and Iz Hesketh will join Vanessa Williams and Matt Henry in a UK reading of Stan Zimmerman's suicide awareness play, RIGHT BEFORE I GO, at London's Soho Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2026
Olly Alexander and Iz Hesketh will join Vanessa Williams and Matt Henry in a UK reading of Stan Zimmerman's suicide awareness play, RIGHT BEFORE I GO, at London's Soho Theatre.
Australian Guitar Legend Tommy Emmanuel CGP Comes To Parr Hall
by Stephi Wild - Feb 17, 2026
Australian guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel CGP will grace Parr Hall's stage on 29 July as part of the Living in the Light tour. Learn more about the performance here!
by Stephi Wild - Feb 17, 2026
Australian guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel CGP will grace Parr Hall's stage on 29 July as part of the Living in the Light tour. Learn more about the performance here!
Review: CLASSICAL MIXTAPE: A LIVE TAKEOVER, Southbank Centre
by Louise Penn - Feb 6, 2026
Classical Mixtape: A Live Takeover is part of the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary programme. Aimed at the under-30s audience, who are underrepresented at the venue, the event offered a casual, relaxed and social approach to classical music. However, a brilliant concept sadly fell short in organisation and execution.
by Louise Penn - Feb 6, 2026
Classical Mixtape: A Live Takeover is part of the Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary programme. Aimed at the under-30s audience, who are underrepresented at the venue, the event offered a casual, relaxed and social approach to classical music. However, a brilliant concept sadly fell short in organisation and execution.
WICKED: FOR GOOD, HAMNET & More Nominated For 2026 BAFTA Awards - Full List of Nominees
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 27, 2026
Wicked: For Good, Hamnet, and more have been nominated at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. Other notable nominations include Ethan Hawke for Richard Linklater's Blue Moon and Kate Hudson for the musical Song Sung Blue. Check out the full list!
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 27, 2026
Wicked: For Good, Hamnet, and more have been nominated at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. Other notable nominations include Ethan Hawke for Richard Linklater's Blue Moon and Kate Hudson for the musical Song Sung Blue. Check out the full list!
Cast Announced For HORRIBLE HISTORIES " THE CONCERT
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 15, 2026
Horrible Histories – The Concert has announced its cast, bringing performers and songs from the BAFTA-winning TV series to the stage. The production will feature music by Richie Webb and cast members from both the television show and live stage productions. Ticket details will be released soon.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 15, 2026
Horrible Histories – The Concert has announced its cast, bringing performers and songs from the BAFTA-winning TV series to the stage. The production will feature music by Richie Webb and cast members from both the television show and live stage productions. Ticket details will be released soon.
Review: OPERATION OUCH: QUEST FOR THE JURASSIC FART!, Southbank Centre
by Christiana Rose - Dec 23, 2025
Operation Ouch: Quest for the Jurassic Fart! arrives at the Royal Festival Hall with all the confidence and chaos audiences have come to expect from television’s favourite medical mischief makers. Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken deliver a high energy family show that balances silliness with genuine scientific insight, creating a riotous theatrical experience which keeps children captivated, while giving adults plenty to ponder.
by Christiana Rose - Dec 23, 2025
Operation Ouch: Quest for the Jurassic Fart! arrives at the Royal Festival Hall with all the confidence and chaos audiences have come to expect from television’s favourite medical mischief makers. Dr Chris and Dr Xand van Tulleken deliver a high energy family show that balances silliness with genuine scientific insight, creating a riotous theatrical experience which keeps children captivated, while giving adults plenty to ponder.
Interview: Dr Chris Van Tulleken on OPERATION OUCH! QUEST FOR THE JURASSIC FART! at the Southbank Centre
by Christiana Rose - Dec 22, 2025
Operation Ouch has never been afraid of diving into the strange, messy and marvellously human parts of science. Yet its latest stage adventure, Operation Ouch: Quest for the Jurassic Fart!, takes audiences further than ever before. Landing at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall for a strictly limited festive season from 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026, the show promises lasers, time travel, dinosaurs and a mission to recreate the world’s most ancient fart.
by Christiana Rose - Dec 22, 2025
Operation Ouch has never been afraid of diving into the strange, messy and marvellously human parts of science. Yet its latest stage adventure, Operation Ouch: Quest for the Jurassic Fart!, takes audiences further than ever before. Landing at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall for a strictly limited festive season from 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026, the show promises lasers, time travel, dinosaurs and a mission to recreate the world’s most ancient fart.
Cast Set For Richard Clements' OTTILIE at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester
by Stephi Wild - Dec 18, 2025
Casting has been announced for Ottilie, A Built by Barn production in association with Rathmore Productions. Richard Clements' Ottilie directed by Matthew McElhinney and performed by Jolene O'Hara.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 18, 2025
Casting has been announced for Ottilie, A Built by Barn production in association with Rathmore Productions. Richard Clements' Ottilie directed by Matthew McElhinney and performed by Jolene O'Hara.
Alan Cumming Will Host the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards
by Stephi Wild - Dec 18, 2025
BAFTA has announced Scottish actor, writer, producer and presenter Alan Cumming will host one of the world’s most coveted film ceremonies, the EE BAFTA Film Awards.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 18, 2025
BAFTA has announced Scottish actor, writer, producer and presenter Alan Cumming will host one of the world’s most coveted film ceremonies, the EE BAFTA Film Awards.
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE Will Embark on 2026 UK Tour
by Stephi Wild - Dec 17, 2025
Academy Award winning film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the first in the Spider-Verse series, is set to be presented live in concert, on tour across the UK.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 17, 2025
Academy Award winning film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the first in the Spider-Verse series, is set to be presented live in concert, on tour across the UK.
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE Live Concert Sets London World Premiere
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 16, 2025
Sleepless in Seattle will be performed live in concert for the very first time on Valentine’s Day 2026 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The movie will be presented on a huge screen, while its soundtrack is performed live by a full band and orchestra.
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 16, 2025
Sleepless in Seattle will be performed live in concert for the very first time on Valentine’s Day 2026 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The movie will be presented on a huge screen, while its soundtrack is performed live by a full band and orchestra.
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE Will Be Presented in Concert at London's Royal Festival Hall
by Stephi Wild - Dec 16, 2025
Sleepless in Seattle will be performed live in concert for the very first time on Valentine's Day 2026 at London's Royal Festival Hall. Learn more about the upcoming performance here!
by Stephi Wild - Dec 16, 2025
Sleepless in Seattle will be performed live in concert for the very first time on Valentine's Day 2026 at London's Royal Festival Hall. Learn more about the upcoming performance here!
Southbank Centre Will Host Live 'Classical Mixtape' With Six Orchestras
by Stephi Wild - Dec 16, 2025
The Southbank Centre has announced Classical Mixtape: A Live Takeover (Thu 5 Feb 2026), a multi-venue event bringing together more than 200 musicians from six orchestras for a night of classical music's greatest hits.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 16, 2025
The Southbank Centre has announced Classical Mixtape: A Live Takeover (Thu 5 Feb 2026), a multi-venue event bringing together more than 200 musicians from six orchestras for a night of classical music's greatest hits.
Antonia Franceschi Appointed Interim AD At New York Theatre Ballet
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 15, 2025
Antonia Franceschi has been appointed Interim Artistic Director at New York Theatre Ballet. Franceschi's appointment fills the role of former artistic director Steven Melendez who stepped down in November 2025.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 15, 2025
Antonia Franceschi has been appointed Interim Artistic Director at New York Theatre Ballet. Franceschi's appointment fills the role of former artistic director Steven Melendez who stepped down in November 2025.
Camille O’Sullivan Transfers LOVELETTER to Soho Theatre Walthamstow
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2025
Hot on the heels of its runaway sell-out success at Soho Theatre Dean Street and due to demand for tickets, the Irish singer and actress Camille O’Sullivan will transfer her hit show LoveLetter to Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2025
Hot on the heels of its runaway sell-out success at Soho Theatre Dean Street and due to demand for tickets, the Irish singer and actress Camille O’Sullivan will transfer her hit show LoveLetter to Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
Yo-Yo Ma, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and More to Perform at New Jersey Performing Arts Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2025
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center will welcome a lineup of world-class talent, including Yo-Yo Ma and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Audiences can also look forward to a celebration of iconic film music performed by the New Jersey Symphony.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2025
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center will welcome a lineup of world-class talent, including Yo-Yo Ma and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Audiences can also look forward to a celebration of iconic film music performed by the New Jersey Symphony.
Royal Festival Hall Frequently Asked Questions
What show is currently in Royal Festival Hall?
Royal Festival Hall's current show is The Light in the Piazza which began performances on 6/14/2019.
What when was Royal Festival Hall built?
Royal Festival Hall was built in 1951.
How many seats does Royal Festival Hall have?
Royal Festival Hall has 2909 seats.
What were the longest running shows at Royal Festival Hall?
Carmen Jones which ran from 7/31/2007 to 9/2/2007,
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