Einstein On The Beach is widely credited as one of the greatest artistic achievements of the 20th century. This rarely performed work launched its director Robert Wilson and composer Philip Glass to international success when it was first produced at the Metropolitan Opera in 1976.

Now, nearly four decades after it was first performed and 20 years since its last production, Einstein On The Beach has been reconstructed bringing this ground-breaking work to new audiences and an entirely new generation.

Einstein On The Beach breaks all of the rules of conventional opera. Instead of a traditional orchestral arrangement, Glass chose to compose the work for the synthesisers, woodwinds and voices of the Philip Glass Ensemble. Non-narrative in form, the work uses a series of powerful recurrent images as its main storytelling device shown in juxtaposition with abstract dance sequences created by American choreographer Lucinda Childs. It is structured in four interconnected acts and divided by a series of short scenes or “knee plays”. Taking place over five hours, there is no intermission, however the audience is invited to enter and exit at liberty during the performance

Please note: The house will be open and the audience will be invited to take their seats 20 minutes prior to curtain up.

Running time: 5 hours from the house opening

Learn more about London operas within the West End.