The Instrumentals
‘A powerful piece of children’s theatre that is moving in every sense of the word’
Comedy, brilliant puppetry and bold music feature in The Instrumentals, a family show telling the story of Belle and some dusty musical instruments.
Belle discovers them when she’s feeling down and decides to slip into her late grandfather’s basement. The Instrumentals might be old but, far from being junk, they are pure funk – and they teach Belle to ‘get down’ in a whole new way.
Featuring characters and inspiration from the African Caribbean diaspora and filled with love and laughter, The Instrumentals is a story about the memories we hold and how we celebrate life.
It features uplifting original music with soulful sounds and 1970s grooves to get you and your family up on your feet and dancing.
The Instrumentals is written and directed by Mia Jerome, with music composed by
Cal-l Jonel. Puppet design and direction is by Oliver Hymans, sound design and music production is by Féz, and lighting design is by Joshie Harriette.
The show is performed by Maya Manuel and Elliot Liburd.
A Blouse & Skirt!, Goblin, Little Angel Theatre & Mercury Theatre co production.
‘Do not hesitate: get your boogie boots on to see this excellent show’
Need to know
For ages 4+
Imagine Children’s Festival is a relaxed festival and this event is a Relaxed Performance (RP).
Relaxed Performances have a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the space, and you are free to enter and exit during the performances. A chill-out space and noise-cancelling headphones are available for children and adults. There are no adjustments to sound and lighting for these performances and this event includes amplified music, haze and flashing (not strobe) lights.
The performance on Sun 11 Feb at 11.30am is Sensory Adapted. It has adjusted levels of lighting and sound effects, so may be especially suitable for audiences with sensory sensitivities. This may include children, young people and adults with neurodivergence such as autism, learning difficulties or other sensory or communication needs. The capacity for the performance is not adjusted.
The performance on Sun 11 Feb at 2pm is British Sign Language interpreted (BSL).
To book tickets for BSL interpretation, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
All our Access & facilities information
Smoke and haze may be used during this performance.
Every adult and child needs a ticket, except for babes in arms aged under 18 months at the time of the performance who don’t need their own seat.
Content to consider
The story deals with the different feelings (sadness, confusion and anger) associated with grief and the loss of a family member, Grandpa – all in a way that is appropriate for this age group, and is ultimately joyful and uplifting, celebrating his life.
Dates & times
10 Feb 2024, 2pm & 4.30pm
11 Feb 2024, 11.30am & 2pm
Price
- Standard entryFrom £14 Adult, £10.50 Child
- Concessions25%**
* Excludes £3.50 booking fee.
Book as early as you can to ensure the best choice of tickets. Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
** Limited availability. Read about concessions.
Tickets can only be sold through the Southbank Centre and our authorised agents, and can't be resold. You can return your tickets to the Southbank Centre for a credit voucher up to 48 hours before the event. Tickets resold on any third-party platforms will become invalid.
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. Please visit the Welcome Desk on Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, where a member of staff can provide you with the key. You can also use the phone next to the Changing Places toilet to speak to a member of staff. 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.