Barbican Theatre
Venue Information
- How to book (Phone)
- 020 7382 7348
- Guide dogs
- Access dogs are allowed inside the auditorium. Staff can also dog-sit, returning them to the owner during the interval and at the end of the performance.
- Wheelchairs
- 4 spaces in Stalls and 4 in Circle
- Sound amplification
- Sennheiser Radio Network
- Audio description
- The Box Office (where pre paid tickets can be collected 90 minutes prior to performance) can be found in the middle of the Level -1 Stalls Foyer which is one level dowbn from the ground floor. Lifts serve all main foyer areas. The entrance is at the rear of the auditorium, ttherefore there are more steps to negotiate the closer one sits to the stage. Doors open approximately 15min prior to performance. The theatre is situated over four levels. Handrails are provided throughout and there is lift access both within the theatre (suitable for smaller wheelchairs only and on the main foyers with low level controls, tactile buttons and voice announcements (main foyer lifts only). Stalls Level (Level -1): There are 25 steps between the front and rear of the Stalls. Seats with level access are provided in the back row (Row T). Circle (Mezzanine Level): Accessible by stairs or small lift. 27 steps between the back row and side slips. Seats with level access in the back row (Row B). Upper Circle: 20 steps between the back row and side slips. Gallery: 15 steps between the back row and side slips. Occasionally there is a completely different seating configuration - please check with the box office.
- Street to foyer
- Stairs
- Foyer to seat
- 28 stairs to Stalls, 27 to Dress Circle, 20 to Upper Circle, 15 to Gallery
- Level access
- To row T in Stalls, Row B in Upper Circle
- Lift / stair lift / ramp
- Lifts to all floors
- Bars
- Bars, level G & -1 offering beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks. Foyer Cafe, level G & -1 Offering freshly baked cakes, sandwiches, salads, grab and go products and soft drinks. An equivalent cafe on level -1 opens one hour before performances and during intervals.
- Food
- Barbican Kitchen, Martini Bar, Bonfire, Osteria, Beech Street Cafe & Bar
- Toilets
- Mens and Womens throughout. There are accessible toilets located in the Circle, Foyer and Stalls.
- Air conditioning
- Yes
- Accepts Theatre Tokens
- Yes
The Barbican is a Grade II listed building and is one of London’s best examples of Brutalist architecture. Its theatre forms only one part of the performing arts centre that is the Barbican, which was built by the City of London Corporation in 1982.
Being in the City, the theatre is easy to reach from Barbican or Moorgate underground stations, or from Farringdon or Liverpool Street railway stations.
The Barbican houses two theatres that showcase international work, dance and performance by auteurs, leading companies and emerging artists that challenge the idea of what theatre can be. The Main Theatre at has a capacity of 1,156 and is divided over four levels.
This theatre was designed by the Royal Shakespeare Company for their use. It served, for a time, as the London home of the RSC but, in 2002, the organisation took the decision not to renew their lease as Adrian Noble, then Artistic Director, wanted to change the company’s focus to touring.
The Barbican offers much more than theatre though. It also houses two art galleries, three cinemas, a concert hall, a tropical conservatory, a library, three restaurants, conference facilities, and a lakeside terrace. For theatre-goers visiting for the first time, we wholeheartedly advise arriving early to take in the one-of-a-kind scenery at Barbican.
Silk St, London, EC2Y 8DS, United Kingdom
Email: access@barbican.org.uk; tickets@barbican.org.uk
Phone: 020 7382 7348