Playing with Fire
Get closer to the explosive talent of pianist Yuja Wang at a groundbreaking concert combining live piano with a stunning virtual world that you can roam.
Leave the traditional concert hall behind and enter the captivating world of Playing with Fire: An Immersive Odyssey with Yuja Wang.
An avatar of Yuja Wang performs a dazzling selection of classic works, handpicked by the artist herself, on a real, self-playing Steinway Spirio piano. Witness her electrifying keyboard skills brought to life right in front of you, with all the power and resonance of a live concert.
Roam freely around the space to get closer than ever before to Yuja Wang’s artistry, or explore as the music is brought to life all around you by dreamlike virtual animations that evolve as you move.
Or you can simply take a seat and be absorbed in this multisensory world – a whole new way to experience classical music.
Please note that Playing with Fire does not feature Yuja Wang in person. The experience is a virtual concert featuring a pre-recorded avatar of Yuja Wang and her recital, presented in an immersive environment.
All creative content in Playing with Fire is original. AI was used to support production and scaling.
Need to know
To celebrate the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary, there’s a limited number of discounted tickets available for performance dates between Wednesday 9 and Sunday 27 September. Book now for just £13.50.
This experience involves wearing a virtual reality headset for the duration of the event.
The experience includes 3D video, which can be bright and dynamic, and spatial audio. These visual effects can sometimes be disorientating, overwhelm the senses or cause mild nausea or dizziness.
You may move around and explore the space or remain seated throughout the experience. You can take a break at any point and staff are present at all times to assist you.
Produced by VIVE Arts and Atlas V, in collaboration with production partner Lightroom.
Performer: Yuja Wang
Writer, director & creative director: Pierre-Alain Giraud
Creative director & original artwork: Gabríela Friðriksdóttir
Art director: Arthur Maugendre
Sound designers: Nicolas Becker & Antoine Martin
Lead developer: Sylvain Hayot
Scenographer: Laurence Fontaine
Lighting designer: Philippe Berthomé
Technical team: Studio Albyon
Supported by Steinway & Sons, the CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image animée) and Pictanovo.
Yuja Wang appears courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft.
All artist performances recorded and played back on Steinway & Sons Spirio.
Watch more
Partnerships
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
09 Sep 2026 – 03 Jan 2027
Run time
45 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £26
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
Concessions
Learn more about concession discounts
Refunds and exchanges
Find out more about our refund and exchange policy
Multi-buy Autumn/Winter 26/27 discount
3 – 4 events: 10% discount
5 – 7 events: 15% discount
8 – 10 events: 20% discount
11 – 14 events: 25% discount
15+ events: 30% discount
Discounts apply to selected events, September 2026 – January 2027 inclusive. Offer can’t be combined with the Spring/Summer 2026 multi-buy.
Become a Member
Members get free entry to the Hayward Gallery and 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.
Join today from £60
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
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
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 which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
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.