5 things to know about You Are Here

On the May Day bank holiday weekend, 2026, we celebrated our 75th anniversary with a one-off pop-culture spectacular, from the minds of some of the country’s finest creative visionaries.

You Are Here was brought to life by a creative team of HARD+SHINY, the creative studio of Gareth Pugh and Carson McColl; Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle; award-winning poet and playwright Sabrina Mafhouz; pioneering West End director and producer Paulette Randall; and Olivier and Tony award-nominated lighting designer Natasha Chivers.

So, that’s who was behind it, but what could visitors expect from the event itself ? Well, we’re glad you asked. Without offering up too many spoilers, ahead of the event we shared these five things to know about You Are Here.

The entire Southbank Centre is the stage

Yep, forget everything you know about traditional theatre, there are no fixed seats or front rows for this show. Instead, for You Are Here we’re turning the Southbank Centre inside out with the performance unfolding around you as you move through the familiar spaces and hidden corners of our buildings. Every turn holds a new story.

A journey through 75 years of British music, dance, theatre, fashion and film

You Are Here presents an experience that draws on the underground movements, club scenes, fashion, music and activism that have shaped British culture since we first opened our doors in 1951. You’ll be transported through a reimagining of pivotal subcultures, from the swaying energy of a 1950s tea dance and sharp style of Teddy Boys to the euphoric intensity of Northern Soul or acid house. It’s a high-energy remix of the sounds and movements that shaped who we are today.

A cast of a thousand voices

This is a mass-participation spectacular, with a cast of thousands of performers, including dancers, poets, MCs and choral voices threading a kaleidoscopic narrative throughout the event. From massed choreography to intimate spoken-word moments, You Are Here aims to bring the energy of resistance and freedom to every second.

An antidote to the ‘aquarium of indifference’

The ‘aquarium of indifference’ is how co-creator of You Are Here, Danny Boyle, describes our increasingly digital and highly curated lives. In an era where everything is delivered to us through screens, You Are Here offers a response to that, one that is grounding, unpredictable, and a little bit chaotic.

Dress for adventure

It’s called You Are Here for a reason. The emphasis is on you; you are here and you’re a real part of everything that’s happening around you, dancing and moving as you follow this celebratory journey through time and our spaces. So, if you’re joining us for this distinctive show – and why would you not?! – make sure you’ve stepped out in your best, most comfortable, dancing shoes. Travel light on the day – there’s no cloakroom provided and large bags aren’t permitted – and be ready to move; the next scene might begin right next to you!