Barbican Centre

Barbican Centre Review

Opened in 1982, the Brutalist-style Barbican is the largest performing arts center in Europe. The main concrete theater is most famous as the home of the London Symphony Orchestra. As well as the LSO (www.lso.co.uk), the Barbican is also the frequent host of the English Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and has an excellent concert season of big-name virtuosos. Performances by British and international theater companies make up part of its year-round B.I.T.E. (Barbican International Theatre Events), which also features groundbreaking performance, dance, drama, and musical theater. Innovative exhibitions of 20th-century and current art and design are shown in the Barbican Gallery and the Curve (usually free). In addition to Hollywood films, obscure classics and film festivals with Screen Talks are programmed in the three cinemas here. Saturday Family Film Club has adventure and animation to please all ages. You could catch "The Directorspective" on the films of Andrei Konchalovsky, see a fashion performance inspired by Japan, check out some Senegalese music, and peruse an exhibition on efficiency and elegance in building design, all in one evening.