Houses Slide
Music that moves, that rages, and that unites us: Laura Bowler's groundbreaking commission from the London Sinfonietta responds to the climate crisis.
Addressing the most serious issue of our generation, Houses Slide for soprano and ensemble describes one woman's intimate psychological journey to figure out her response to the climate crisis.
It follows her journey from an initial depressing realisation of the gravity of the issue, through to her refusal to be overwhelmed and decision to take positive action.
Directed by Katie Mitchell and with a text created by Cordelia Lynn using submissions from members of the public, the concert presentation is an industry first, being powered entirely by bicycle.
The world premiere of this stunning piece is followed by a discussion of the issues raised in the piece. The Arts Desk described Bowler as 'a triple threat composer-performer-provocatrice' following a premiere at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.
Performers
- London Sinfonietta
- Sian Edwards conductor
- Jessica Aszodi mezzo-soprano
- Cordelia Lynn librettist
- Katie Mitchell director
- Colin Tonks creative technical director
- Caro Russell art director
- Tony Simpson lighting design
- RNSS sound
Repertoire
- Laura Bowler: Houses Slide (World premiere)
- Discussion: Of issues raised in the piece
Dates & times
Price
£20*
To maintain social distancing, seats are only available in groups of one or two.
Boxes of 4 available for £80
Four people can be seated together in the boxes only, where one ticket admits four. Please ensure your party enter the venue at the same time.
Concessions 25%**
* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.
** Limited availability. Read about concessions.
Southbank Centre takes a strong view on secondary ticketing. We require the lead booker to attend (photo ID may be requested). Tickets can only be resold by Southbank Centre or one of its authorised agents.
Venue
Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is Covid-secure. For now, you must only visit our indoor spaces with up to six people, or a larger group of any size from up to two households (including support bubbles). As always, maintain social distancing and make sure you wear a face covering at all times in the building. There's plenty of hand sanitiser available to keep your hands clean.
If you're enjoying our riverside bars and entertainment, these areas are subject to the rule of 30 outdoors. Please maintain social distancing and wear a face covering when accessing the indoor toilets.
As we welcome you back, our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of our visitors and staff, so we’ve introduced a number of measures to help everyone stay safe. Here's what you need to know before you visit.
Our measures
We’re following the official government guidance on working safely during coronavirus to make sure we’re Covid-secure. Measures we’ve introduced so far include:
- Reduced visitor numbers and social distancing
- Physically distanced seating
- Clear signage and one-way systems
- Removal of some seating and changes to access
- Hand sanitiser stations
- Regular and thorough cleaning
- Support bubbles only
- Face coverings for ages 11+
- Going cash-free
So that we can take part in the NHS Test and Trace service, we need to collect your data and some information about you when you visit. Find out more
We’ll continue to review and manage any risks and respond to any changes in the guidance, keeping our staff trained and up to date as we go.
Reduced visitor numbers
We’re admitting fewer visitors than usual so that you can easily keep a safe distance from others and enjoy a crowd-free visit.
Keep others safe
You must wear a face covering during your visit, for your safety and the safety of other visitors and staff.
Please, stay at home if you have symptoms of illness such as a cough, sore throat or fever or have been in contact in the past 14 days with someone who has coronavirus. You can email us up to 24 hours before the event to refund or exchange your ticket.
During your visit
To keep yourself and others safe, please:
- Wear a face covering
- Follow our one-way system
- Keep a safe distance from others
- Use the hand sanitiser provided
Face coverings
You don't have to wear a face covering if there is a good reason why you can't do so.
For example:
- children under the age of 11 don’t have to wear a face covering
- you don't have to wear a face covering if you can't put on, wear or remove it because of a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability
- you don't have to wear a face covering if putting on, wearing or removing it will cause you severe distress
- you don't have to wear a face covering if you are providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
Socially distanced seating
Step 4 of the government’s roadmap anticipates the removal of all legal limits on social contact and the reopening of full auditoriums from Monday 21 June, subject to successful pilot test events taking place in April and May.
We initially have a socially distanced seating plan which offers a reduced capacity of 1,000 people, ensuring a one-metre-plus space between audience members when seated. We are also carrying out enhanced cleaning of the auditorium between performances.
Our auditorium seats are only available in groups of one or two people, which allows us to maintain social distancing. This means that bookings of more than two people will be split across multiple groups.
Four people can be seated together in the boxes only. The cost of a box ticket is for four people, and one ticket is issued for entry. Please ensure all members of your party enter the venue at the same time.
We are acting in accordance with government guidelines, which are subject to change – please check this page before your visit.
The Royal Festival Hall is open to all from Friday 28 May for access to the Level 2 foyers, Level 2 toilets, the National Poetry Library, Southbank Centre Shop and Riverside Terrace Cafe at the following times:
Sunday – Thursday, 12 noon – 8pm*
Friday and Saturday, 12 noon – 10.30pm*
*Closing times may vary on event days. Access to the Royal Festival Hall foyers is restricted to ticket holders from 90 minutes before events begin.
Our address is: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. The nearest tube and train stations within 5 – 7 minutes walk are Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee and Waterloo & City lines) and Embankment (District & Circle lines). There are also lots of bus routes with stops 2– 5 minutes from our venues. For more information on getting here by road, rail or river, see below.
Pre-booking online is essential. Entry is by pre-booked ticket only. Check our website on the day for returns.
There’s no need to print your e-ticket – just show your phone to our Visitor Assistants on entry.
Socially distanced seating
Our socially distanced seating plan ensures a one-metre-plus space between audience members when seated.
Our auditorium seats are only available in groups of one or two people, which allows us to maintain social distancing. This means that bookings of more than two people will be split across multiple groups.
Four people can be seated together in the boxes only. The cost of a box ticket is for four people, and one ticket is issued for entry. Please ensure all members of your party enter the venue at the same time.
Social distancing is in place following government advice, and we will increase capacity in line with government rules.
If you don't receive your e-ticket
Check your spam folder for an email from [email protected] If you don’t receive your e-ticket within a few hours of booking, please get in touch.
Unable to attend
If you’re unable to attend your booking, email us no later than 48 hours before the event to return your ticket for a credit voucher, valid for two years from date of issue. We can't accept returns after the date of your booking.
Please, stay at home if you have symptoms of illness such as a cough, sore throat or fever or have been in contact in the past 10 days with someone who has coronavirus.
Toilets
Toilets, including accessible toilets, are open on Level 2 of the Royal Festival Hall.
Cloakroom
The cloakroom is closed in order to reduce face-to-face contact. You won’t be able to bring any bags over 40 x 25 x 25cm into the Royal Festival Hall, so please leave large bags at home.
Entering the hall
There may be short queues to enter the building and the auditorium. If you are not able to queue or need further assistance, our Visitor Assistants are here to help you.
For level access to the Royal Festival Hall, please use the external lift near the Artists' Entrance on Southbank Centre Square, Belvedere Road, to Level 2, and enter via Riverside Terrace. All floors are accessible from the main foyer.
We welcome wheelchair users and guide companion dogs.
More about Access & facilities
Parking
Blue Badge holders and those with access requirements can be dropped off on the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road off Belvedere Road (the road between the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward Gallery).
There are four Blue Badge parking spaces available for visitors located on the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and are free to use. You must display your Blue Badge as you enter the site. Vehicles that do not display a Blue Badge are refused entry.
Blue Badge parking at National Theatre
Alternative parking for Blue Badge holders visiting the Southbank Centre can be found at the National Theatre car park (330 metres). If you are visiting the Hayward Gallery, just take your badge and car park ticket to the Ticket Desk in the gallery foyer for validation before you leave.
Please note: on Sunday when the National Theatre building is closed there is no step-free access from the car park.
Alternative parking is available nearby at the APCOA Cornwall Road Car Park (490 metres), subject to charges.
Blue Badge parking at APCOA Cornwall Road
Alternative parking for Blue Badge holders visiting the Southbank Centre can also be found at the South Bank Car Park – APCOA Cornwall Road Car Park. Just take your badge and car park ticket to the parking attendant office at the entrance to the car park for validation before you leave.
A drop-off point at the Royal Festival Hall (30 metres) has been created for visitors who are unable to walk from alternative car parks.
Our Access Scheme
If you have any access requirements, please sign up to our Access Scheme for discounts, wheelchair spaces, dedicated seats and free companion tickets. You can also join our mailing list to get news about accessible events and exhibitions.
A selection of the restaurants and cafes on our site and the Southbank Centre Street Food market are now open.