Singing Our Lives

PAST EVENT
Sun 25 Jun 2023, 11.45am
Part of Refugee Week
Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer
Gigs
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Group of people singing together with their arms raised.
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Singers, instrumentalists and poets share their responses to the theme of Compassion – and give you a chance to join in the singing.

Singing Our Lives, now in its seventh year, is produced by Together Productions and brings displaced people, sanctuary seekers and local communities from around the UK to compose new music and perform together.

The project unites amateur singers and performers, professional musicians and writers from around the world in a unique coming together of cultures, disciplines and traditions.

This performance marks the finale of Refugee Week, and culminates in a thrilling mass performance of a Singing Our Lives original composition.

Together Productions is a social change organisation based in the UK, producing innovative collaborative projects that connect people across social and cultural divides. Through their programmes, music and the arts become a catalyst to break down barriers, reduce isolation and enhance well-being.

Together Productions' work includes those who are marginalised or excluded – such as displaced people and those seeking sanctuary – people facing mental health challenges, the elderly, the financially disadvantaged and socially excluded.

Performing groups:

The Sing for Freedom Choir is a community of torture survivors and friends who sing together in a spirit of joy and hope, in solidarity with all those who are oppressed. The choir sings for freedom and to give back a voice to those who have been silenced.

The Mixed Up Chorus is passionate about the power of music to bring people together in the spirit of empathy and understanding. Performing global and original new repertoire, the Chorus believes that singing next to each other helps us to live well next to each other.

Write to Life are the world’s only long-running creative writing group for survivors of torture and have been working with survivors from around the world for over 20 years.

The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians are a collective of professional singers and instrumentalists who have settled in the UK after being forced to flee the war in their homeland. Their haunting and uplifting music celebrates the rich cultural traditions of Syria.

Need to know

Age recommendation

Suitable for all ages

Dates & times

Sun 25 Jun 2023, 11.45am
Approximate run time: 1 hour 15 mins.
Run times may vary by up to 20 minutes as they can be affected by last-minute programme changes, intervals and encores.

Price

  • Standard entryFree

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Venue

Queen Elizabeth Hall

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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.

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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.

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Frequently asked questions

Get an overview of the seating layout of Queen Elizabeth Hall by downloading our seating plan.

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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 cloakroom is closed. You won’t be able to bring any bags over 40 x 25 x 25cm into the Queen Elizabeth Hall, so please leave large bags at home.

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For step-free access from the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road off Belvedere Road to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating (excluding rows A to C) and wheelchair spaces in the Rear Stalls, plus Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer and the Purcell Room, please use the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance.

To reach this entrance, enter the Royal Festival Hall via the Southbank Centre Square Doors. Take the JCB Glass Lift to Level 2 and exit to the Riverside Terrace. Turn right to find the Queen Elizabeth Hall main entrance.

You can also use the external lift near the Artists' Entrance on Southbank Centre Square to reach Mandela Walk, Level 2. 

For access to the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium seating rows A to C and wheelchair spaces in the Front Stalls, please enter via the Artists' Entrance in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Slip Road (Level 1).

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.

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More about Access and facilities

From a snack with coffee to cocktails and fine dining, plus some of London's best street food – it's all here on the Southbank Centre site.

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