At Least We Have the Playground
The Riverside Terrace is transformed into a playground where digital and analogue games meet, on the second evening of SORI Collective’s takeover.
The SORI curators believe the playground has always been a space where new relationships are built, bonds are shared and core memories formed. So for this event, they are bringing together London’s best game nights all in one shared space.
You’re invited to get involved with a variety of games: get into a battle of minds in the ancient game of chess or go digital and team up to outsmart AI.
The games organisations hosting the space:
- Studio Playfool:an art-design duo by Daniel Coppen and Saki Maruyama using play, experimental games and interactive installations to explore the relationship between human agency and technology.
- CheckHer Chess Club: a welcoming, inclusive social chess community for women and girls.
- Yallah Tawlah: a London-based community project that brings people together to play backgammon and celebrate Palestinian culture. Founded by Samir Herzallah.
- Home Radio: a London-based community broadcaster and cultural platform that celebrates local stories, grassroots values and diverse UK dance floor sounds.
- Four Winds Mahjong Club: A volunteer-led group hosting events, pop-up supper clubs and beginner classes across Hackney and Chinatown.
Soundtracking the evening is Art Beyond the Shell, also known as The Turtles, an international collective based in London, dedicated to music, art and community-led storytelling.
SORI Collective (Speaking Out, Reimagining Institutions) comprises nine forward-thinking cultural programmers shaping the future of the arts. They are the driving force behind Southbank Centre Presents, a hands-on curation scheme empowering talent to build communities and redefine our cultural landscape as we celebrate 75 years.
This event is part of their four-day takeover of the Riverside Terrace in response to the theme of ‘the future of the art centre’.
They are using the time to give a platform to artists from London’s cultural scene and question the various ways the Southbank Centre can exist as a stage for London, a civic space for its people, and a playground to attempt new ways of collaborating or existing.
Need to know
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
17 Jul 2026, 6pm
Run time
4 hours and 30 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
Free – no ticket required
Concessions
Learn more about concession discounts
Refunds and exchanges
Find out more about our refund and exchange policy
Make a donation
Help us open up the arts to everyone by making a one-off or a recurring donation.
For your visit
This event is held at the Riverside Terrace Southbank Centre
The Riverside Terrace is open all day, every day*.
*If you’re attending an event on our Riverside Terrace, check the event listing for start and finish times.
Plan your visit
The Riverside Terrace is an outdoor space overlooking the River Thames, on Royal Festival Hall, Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Through the glass from Riverside Terrace on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.