Barbican Theatre
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
Barbican Theatre Tickets
Good Night, Oscar
Barbican Theatre
4.5 2 reviews 4.5 2 reviews Tickets from £24.00Step into the dazzling world of live 1950s television – and witness Hollywood’s first celebrity meltdown, played to perfection. Sean Hayes will make his West End debut in the production which opens in London this summer following a critically acclaimed run on Broadway. It's only running for seven weeks so don't miss out on Good Night, Oscar.
- Booking until: Sunday, 21 September 2025
- Running time: 1hr 40min. No interval.
- Playing at: Barbican Theatre
- Booking until: Sunday, 21 September 2025
Wendy & Peter Pan
Barbican Theatre
Tickets from £30.00The RSC’s wonderful, whimsical retelling of Peter Pan returns in time for the festive season. In this heartfelt coming of age play written by Ella Hickson and directed by Jonathan Munby, Wendy embarks on a dangerous quest into the heart of Neverland, accompanied by Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Tiger Lily, while the terrifying Captain Hook chases them relentlessly. What does it mean to grow up and is it really as frightening as Wendy believes? Bring your family and find out, in this bold, witty adaptation full of magic and wonder.
- Opens: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Booking until: Saturday, 22 November 2025 - Running time: 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
- Playing at: Barbican Theatre
- Booking until: Saturday, 22 November 2025
Twelfth Night (Barbican)
Barbican Theatre
Tickets from £30.00Prasanna Puwarajah's witty, bittersweet production of Shakespeare's masterful comedy comes to the West End after a sold-out run in Stratford-upon-Avon. Mistaken identities, disguises, and chaotic love triangles abound in this wildly mischievous play about a young woman who pretends to be her twin brother and falls in love with her employer. Book now to catch this wickedly funny play this winter.
- Opens: Monday, 8 December 2025
Booking until: Saturday, 17 January 2026 - Running time: 2hr 55min. Including Interval.
- Playing at: Barbican Theatre
- Booking until: Saturday, 17 January 2026
Barbican Theatre Facilities
- Air conditioned
- Bar
- Disabled toilets
- Infrared hearing loop
- Restaurant
- Toilets
- Wheelchair/scooter access
Barbican Theatre Access Tickets
Disabled theatregoers and their carers can get discount tickets. Please phone the Barbican Theatre access line on 020 7101 1188.
Barbican Theatre Location
Travel Information
Nearest Tube station
- Moorgate
- Barbican
Nearest Rail Station
- Moorgate
Tube lines
- Circle
- Hammersmith & City
- Metropolitan
- Northern
Day buses
- (Beech Street) 76, 153; (City Road) 21, 43, 141, 205, 214, 271
Night buses
- (Beech Street) N76; (City Road) 43, 205, 214, 271
Barbican Theatre Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the Barbican Theatre?
The Barbican Theatre is part of the Barbican Centre complex on Silk Street, City of London (EC2Y 8DS). The nearest Underground station is Barbican (Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines), approximately a 4‑minute walk away; Moorgate and St Paul’s stations are 7–11 minutes on foot. If driving, the complex features car parks on Beech Street and Silk Street.
Is the Barbican Theatre an accessible space?
The Barbican has step-free access to the Level G foyer via a ramped main entrance on Silk Street, and lifts/ramped routes serve all floors. Wheelchair users can choose from four spaces in Row T of the Stalls and four in Row B of the Upper Circle, with theatre lifts linking each level. There are accessible unisex toilets inside the theatre (Mezzanine) and across all levels of the centre. Hearing support includes induction loops and theatre headsets; live-captioned, BSL or audio-described performances are regularly scheduled.
What time should I get to the theatre?
Aim to arrive 30 minutes before the show starts to allow time for security checks, finding your seat, and exploring the theatre. This also gives you time to explore the merchandise stands inside the theatre for exclusive show-related items like T-shirts, mugs, posters, and cast recordings.
Is there a dress code for attendance?
Once upon a time, theatre audiences wore their best outfits, but now, there's no strict dress code. Prioritize comfort, consider a jacket for cooler venues, and feel free to dress up if the mood strikes.
Can I take photos in the theatre?
To maintain the integrity of the performance, no photos or videos are allowed during the show, but you may take pictures before and after, including during the bows.
Barbican Theatre history
From the outside
One poll voted The Barbican London’s ugliest building. Ugly or not, it certainly has presence. It’s an enormous, block-like masterpiece with its roots in Brutalist architecture, but it’s slowly settling into its surroundings and these days The Barbican Centre blends into the everyday London landscape. Because it’s modern and purpose built, the facilities are excellent and the indoor spaces completely fit for purpose.
Barbican Theatre architecture and history
Just sixty years ago, the land the Barbican stands on was an abandoned brownfield site that hadn’t been touched since it was flattened by bombs in the Second World War. It was a serious eyesore in an area that was once home to William Shakespeare, Thomas More and Ben Johnson.
Built in 1982, The Barbican Centre is still Europe’s biggest performing arts centre. It hosts classical and contemporary music, theatre, film and art exhibitions and there’s also a fantastic library, three restaurants and a smart conservatory. This is the home of the prestigious London and BBC Symphony Orchestras and the theatre itself is an integral part of the centre.
The auditorium is designed with seats forming an intimate semi-hexagon which hugs the rectangular stage, with no boxes but extra forward-facing seats for excellent visibility. The décor is currently a symphony in coffee and chestnut, which gives it a cosy feel despite the auditorium’s impressive size. No gold leaf or carving… but a superb contemporary theatre experience in comfort ad style.
Now Grade Two listed, the Centre took a long eleven years to build, finally opening to a mixed reception spanning delight, horror and everything in between. Its looks were controversial and any felt it looked out of date before it was even finished. In the 1990s steps were taken to soften its looks, with statues and decorations. And in the 2000s the addition of bold signs and painted lines made it easier to people to find their way around.
The Centre was the official London home of the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company from ’82 to 2002. Their departure made way for year-round international productions. In 2007 the entire Centre enjoyed a £35 million redesign to celebrate 25 years on the site.
The entrance to the Silk Street Theatre is via the main Barbican Centre entrance in Silk Street. If you’ve booked tickets for a Guildhall School production, you should use the Guildhall School entrance on Silk Street.
Past shows at the Barbican Theatre
Before 2002, The Royal Shakespeare Company dominated the Barbican Theatre. Since then it has hosted any number of top shows, including the smash hit vintage musical South Pacific.
Barbican Theatre access
The main Silk Street entrance has a ramp. Lifts provide access to every level at the Barbican Theatre, and all Barbican venues have seating for wheelchair users.
Barbican Theatre tickets
We’re a popular destination for a wide variety of seat types and prices, with excellent availability on the full range of Barbican Theatre tickets.