Barbican Centre

We went to see "Anything Goes" last night (3rd October) and I have to say that the show was excellent, in fact more than excellent. Unfortunately the show was completely ruined by a film camera on an extending pole placed right in from of our seats Circle (EE111 and EE12). This occurred on many occasions, even during the specular dance routines. The camera pole was extended to finish up right in front of us blocking our view on the stage. We were not informed of the filming of the show until we arrived at the theatre although we had paid full price for our tickets. The seats were picked specifically as we are still being very careful of COVID due to my wife's medical appointments. This was the reason we did not take up the offer of a seat move during the interval to the crowded down stair seats. In normal circumstance seats with restricted views are offered at a reduced price and notified in advance. The explanation of a late notification of filming from the filming company (Trafalgar) was not a suitable as the theatre had our email address due to on line booking. The front of house manager tried as best she could and even told us that the filming company (Trafalgar) had ensured the theatre management that the camera would not go above the hand rail, which would have been acceptable, but this was not the case. Very poor experience. must do better.

We didn’t know about this place and came across it via someone sharing on TikTok and so glad we did. Are daughter is obsessed by plants. You have to book and they realise tickets at 9.30 on the day and we were lucky to get a slot at 2pm. We arrived a bit early so walked around the area which there plenty of cafes and also outside there a large pond with plants and fish. We were lucky to see a heron.

We walked around it was lovely and takes around 30-45 mins and is free.

We went to see the excellent 'Masculinities' exhibition. We loved the fact that there was no jostling due to limited numbers. The Conservatory was lovely too, and we ate a fresh lunch at the cafe. There is slight Covid hysteria with arrow stickers everywhere and staff over-eager to direct you - you can't just wander around - you must pick where you're going and not deviate!

It's a long time since we have been to the Barbican but as RSC members we decided to return there for their performance of 'Measure for Measure'. The venue proved to be a very good setting for a quality staging of this OK Shakespeare play.
As to the Centre itself, the 'brutalist' architecture looks less out of place today perhaps than when it was first built.

Matinee performance at the theatre.

This is a lovely theatre with comfortable seats. For the performance we saw, seats in row F were £150 each A little pricey but an excellent view of the stage.

We also, before the show, had a sandwich and coffee at Benugos which was very nice but as you would expect as with this type of outlet, not value for money at £17.

The one thing that stood out about this venue was how helpful the staff were they scattered around the floors and easily identifiable.

This rating in no way reflects the joyous experience I had at the ‘Out and About’ exhibition and fascinating talk and presentation by a gentleman called Stefan Dickers. It was a real trip down memory lane and brought back so many wonderful memories of being on the gay scene for over 40 years. Very well put together and presented. I am so glad to have experienced it.

The issue arose after departing from ‘The Curve’ which is the area of the Barbican centre in which it took place. My friend and I thought it would be pleasant to sit outside in the sunshine and have a drink and a catch up. The prices of the beverages were astronomical and I was charged £6.50 for a 250ml can of a pink gin that had I purchased it in a local shop would cost no more than £1.69. Then there was the trek to get to the ladies washroom, where only 2 out 3 WC’s were in use and the queue was ridiculously long. If an establishment is charging almost £5 more for a 250ml can, they must be making a massive profit. This being the case, they could surely have afforded a plumber to ensure that all washroom facilities were in working order. Considering the amount of people present I think it’s totally unacceptable that they feel it’s ok to offer sub-standard facilities. Absolutely appalling and the management should be ashamed of themselves. I will think twice about going there again in the future.

One of my fave places in London. I come here usually to wander around, see an exhibition, pop into the shops, to see a movie or to visit the conservatory but this time I decided to join the Barbican architecture guided tour. That was only £15, but over 90 minutes, we were walked through the estate, showed and explained all the details about this amazing brutalism spot in London. Megan the guide was really lovely, very knowledgeable and shared many insightful details about all parts of the estate and the centre. I recommend that to every architecture lover!
Thank you!

The barbican is a mediocre arts centre that is situated in the rogue state of the City of London.
Running through the centre is the UK's most expensive toll road. Drive by and get charged £130.00

Avoid this cash trap. If you have to go to the Barbican don't drive.

you really go to see the shows and not the venue itself, which is a sixties piece of architectural vandalism. it needs pulling down and re-building as does the entire area. The act was great and the acoustics excellent. its a well functioning venue but as ugly as sin.

What is not to love about the Barbican Centre. It truly is a communal space, from the theatre and library in the building, to the different arts exhibits and one of the most intriguing communal pond/garden spaces to be found anywhere in central London. It's also a stones throw from the London museum, and some of the more interesting estate communities that were built around the Barbican as well. Worth a visit for the gardens alone, but also the theatre.