Happy Here: Live!
Jump-start your school’s English curriculum in a morning of readings, live-drawing and talks from the creators of a book of inclusive, representative stories.
Happy Here is an anthology for middle grade readers, featuring stories and poems written by ten Black British authors and illustrated by ten Black British illustrators.
In September, every primary school in England receives a free copy of the book to help teachers bring representative and inclusive stories into the classroom, as part of an initiative by BookTrust, the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) and Knights Of.
his hour of interactive activities makes the most of the book’s message, and is sure to inspire even the most reluctant of readers.
Hosted by Radzi Chinyanganya, Happy Here: Live! features readings, interviews, live-drawing, and more from contributing authors Yomi Ṣode and Alexandra Sheppard and illustrator Willkay.
Teachers can also access free downloadable teaching resources and book a place on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) created by CLPE to support them using this new book in class.
Need to know
Open to school classes in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 – 6) only.
Schools attending the live performance are supported to maintain social distancing and their year group bubbles as required on the performance date.
The Southbank Centre’s risk assessment and safeguarding policy is also available upon request to support your visit.
Dates & times
Price
£2 per pupil, accompanying teachers attend free*
* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.
The 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 the Southbank Centre or one of its authorised agents.
Get presale tickets
Members get the first chance to book our entire programme of events, including go-down-in-history gigs, concerts with world-class orchestras, and talks from cultural icons and political giants.
Venue
Purcell Room
Our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of our visitors and staff.
Open 90 minutes before an event until the end of the event. Closed at all other times.
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.
Pre-booking online is recommended. 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.
Some free events don't require a ticket. Found an event labelled FREE on our website with no way to book? Simply turn up on the day.
If you don't receive your e-ticket
Your e-ticket will be sent to you seven days before the event date from [email protected]. If you don't receive your e-ticket, and it's not in your junk or spam folder, please get in touch.
More information
Find out all you need to know about tickets, including concessions, group bookings, returns, credit vouchers and more, via the link below.
Get an overview of the seating layout of the Purcell Room by downloading our seating plan.
Toilets
An accessible toilet is located in the foyer.
A Changing Places toilet is located on Level 1 Royal Festival Hall next to the JCB Glass Lift, for the exclusive use of disabled people who need personal assistance to use the toilet.
The facility includes a height-adjustable bench, tracking hoist system, a centrally-placed toilet, a height-adjustable basin and a shower. The phone outside the Changing Places toilet will connect you with a member of staff, who can provide you with the key. The facility is open daily 10am – 11pm.
Cloakroom
The Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room cloakroom is closed. You won’t be able to bring any bags over 40 x 25 x 25cm into the venues, so please leave large bags at home.
We're cash-free
Please note that we're unable to accept cash payments across our site.
Purcell Room is located in Queen Elizabeth Hall. For step-free access please use Royal Festival Hall JCB glass lift to Level 2 and enter via Riverside Terrace.
Talk to a member of staff at the auditorium entrance if you have a disability that means you can’t queue, or you need extra time to take your seat. They can arrange priority entry for you as soon as the doors open.
Please bear with us while we update our access map to reflect the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyer spaces. The step-free routes remain the same.