Skip to main content
Concrete interior of Purcell Room entrance at Southbank Centre

Purcell Room

Welcome to our most intimate auditorium

A 295-seat auditorium for music and performance, screenings, poetry readings and a variety of talks and debates, the Purcell Room offers you a real closeness to the arts.

Situated within our brutalist building complex, opened in 1967, the Purcell Room has become the perfect platform for new and emerging talent, but as also played host to some of the biggest names of the 20th century and beyond, including David Bowie, Daniel Barenboim, Marianne Faithfull and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood.

Southbank Centre Studio

Find out how the Purcell Room is helping a new generation of artists and performers develop their talent.

More about Southbank Centre Studio

On now & coming up

More info for Stephen Fretwell
A man in a black jacket plays an acoustic guitar while standing on a dimly lit wooden stage under warm spotlights.
Gigs

Stephen Fretwell

The singer and songwriter is a master of heartfelt lyrics and splendid storytelling
Purcell Room
More info for The Distraction Pieces Podcast: Live
Left: Black and white close-up portrait of an artist. Right: Close-up of a bearded man illuminated by blue stage light.
Art & exhibitions

The Distraction Pieces Podcast: Live

Creative minds collide as artist Tomo Campbell joins host and recording artist Scroobius Pip
Purcell Room
More info for An Evening with New Young Pony Club
Four people in stylish, colorful outfits pose in front of a bright pink cinder block wall on a blue floor.
Gigs

An Evening with New Young Pony Club

After a 12-year hiatus, New Young Pony Club reunite, bringing with them a fantastic mix of guests
Purcell Room
More info for Getdown Services
Two boys sat in bumper cars (one is a duck and one is a pig shape)
Gigs

Getdown Services

Eclectic, danceable grooves and astute put-downs of modern Britain – this is Getdown Services
Purcell Room
More info for For Vini: A Tribute to The Durutti Column
A young, shaggy-haired Vinni Reilly sits cross-legged on a shag rug surrounded by retro recording gear and a guitar.
Gigs

For Vini: A Tribute to The Durutti Column

Celebrate Vini Reilly, the guitar maestro and post-punk innovator, with his long-time collaborator Keir Stewart
Purcell Room
More info for Choose Love x Jon Hopkins
Illustration of a person with hair containing a sunlit sky and a starry galaxy, hugging a small house as white birds fly.
Gigs

Choose Love x Jon Hopkins

Immerse yourself in an audiovisual installation with art by refugees and a new Jon Hopkins score
Purcell Room
More info for Indie Night: June
Two peoples profiles are grey and collaged with an image of piles of books and a dotted square.
Literature & poetry

Indie Night: June

Defy the ordinary at this evening of readings and conversation about an eclectic mix of work
Purcell Room
More info for Arab Film Club: An Afternoon of Shorts and Q&A
From behind, a man in a tan shirt and dark trousers stands on a sandy beach staring out at waves in a wide ocean.
Talks & debates

Arab Film Club: An Afternoon of Shorts and Q&A

A programme of exceptional short films spotlighting refugee narratives and stories of migration.
Purcell Room
More info for Anmol Mohara: Across The Sea
A man in a white t-shirt sits on the floor surrounded by a drum kit and several traditional hand drums.
Gigs

Anmol Mohara: Across The Sea

The rich culture and traditions of Nepal infuse the award-winning percussionist and composer’s music
Purcell Room
More info for Thamarai: Pritt + Prito
Two portraits: a woman in a dark top sits by rocks on the left; a man in a white shirt and cap poses on the right.
Gigs

Thamarai: Pritt + Prito

Break new ground with Eelam Tamil-rooted and London-raised vocalist Pritt and British Tamil DJ Prito
Purcell Room
More info for Asian Tones: Tara Lily + Shalini Rani
A woman sat on a piano stool resting one elbow on a piano.
Gigs

Asian Tones: Tara Lily + Shalini Rani

Witness the south London-born British-Bengali musician’s fearlessly unique, borderless approach
Purcell Room
More info for Making A Husband: Live
A man and woman in wedding clothes pose in a pastoral setting.
Comedy

Making A Husband: Live

Real-life married couple Tez and Shy Ilyas hit the stage with their hilarious comedy podcast
Purcell Room
More info for Tez Ilyas: Work in Progress
A smiling man in a white t shirt and yellow jacket
Comedy

Tez Ilyas: Work in Progress

The grumpiest uncle in showbiz is back with a fresh new comedy show
Purcell Room
More info for Peter Gizzi & Denise Riley
Side-by-side portraits: a man with a gray beard looking forward, and a woman with white hair resting her head on her hand.
Literature & poetry

Peter Gizzi & Denise Riley

Two celebrated poets who transform grief into the art of the radical elegy
Purcell Room
Multi-buy
More info for Raymond Antrobus & Ilya Kaminsky
Split image: A tan man looking away in a garden, and a black-and-white close-up of a man laughing with eyes closed.
Literature & poetry

Raymond Antrobus & Ilya Kaminsky

Two explosive poets dive into how poetry can speak to, witness and challenge the world around us
Purcell Room
Multi-buy

View more events in What’s on

For your visit

Purcell Room Southbank Centre

The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.

A seat in the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall with a dedication affixed  to it

Play a part in every performance

Name a seat in our Purcell Room and help support the next generation of artists and musicians.

Find out how to name your seat

While you’re with us

Related spaces