The Barbican Centre is a major dance venue and also stages theatre, music and other arts productions. It's also the home of the internationally renowned London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Let's be upfront, it's no looker. Built in an area north of the City of London which was heavily bomb damaged during the second world-war, The Barbican Centre was a gift by the City (Corporation of London) to the nation, at a cost approaching £500m in today's money. It's built in a 'Brutalist' style using concrete, pressed into slabs, which absorb airborne particulants and discolour in an unattractive way. The central ziggurat was recently voted London's ugliest building.

Try to get past the aesthetic barrier though. The Barbican Centre is one of the finest arts complexes in Europe and has consistently established interesting, challenging and innovative programmes over the decades. One which sticks in my mind, was the Colourspace exhibition in 1987, where everyone wore capes and pranced around inside a huge inflatable. Fun and very memorable.

The interiors of the Barbican Centre have fared better (dating more agreeably than the exteriors) and the hall acoustics are amongst the best to be found in London. It's the largest arts complex in Europe and in addition to the Hall (holding 1,949) it has 2 theatres, 3 cinema screens, an art gallery, informal spaces, 3 restaurants, 7 conference halls and 2 exhibition halls. In addition it has a large library, music library and regularly holds literary events.

If you can see past the less-than-handsome exterior, you'll find an enthusiastic, bold and vibrant arts centre to rival any around the globe.

 

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS.

Barbican, Farringdon or Moorgate Tube.

Call:    020 7638 4141

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