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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 Leïla Slimani: I'll Take the Fire
Leila Slimani sitting on a staircase wearing black.
Literature & poetry

Leïla Slimani: I'll Take the Fire

Attend a discussion with Leïla Slimani as she talks about the daring final novel of her trilogy
Purcell Room
More info for Édouard Louis: Collapse
Edouard Louis wearing a black coat standing on a street.
Literature & poetry

Édouard Louis: Collapse

The once-in-a-generation writer unwraps his groundbreaking new works in conversation with Tash Aw
Purcell Room
More info for Tamsin Waley-Cohen & Cordelia Williams: Lullabies
Left; Woman walking and holding her violin above her head, right; woman with blonde hair leaning against a pillar looking to camera
Classical music

Tamsin Waley-Cohen & Cordelia Williams: Lullabies

Two British star musicians explore an enchanting selection of music themed around nightfall
Purcell Room
Multi-buy
More info for Emma-Lee Moss: My Cantopop Nights
Emma-Lee Moss wearing a grey cardigan and standing against a wall.
Literature & poetry

Emma-Lee Moss: My Cantopop Nights

Hear the singer-songwriter share stories from her memoir and reflect on the music that formed her
Purcell Room
More info for Frank Cottrell-Boyce: A British Childhood
Frank Cottrell Boyce wearing a blue shirt sitting in front of a shelf of books.
Literature & poetry

Frank Cottrell-Boyce: A British Childhood

The story of 21st-century childhoods in Britain told in a searing, moving work of non-fiction
Purcell Room
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

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

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