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.