Top Hat
You’re invited to sample the musical equivalent of the finest vintage champagne: a stage adaptation of the classic film, featuring sparkling music and dancing.
There may be trouble ahead,
But while there’s moonlight, and music,
And love, and romance…
Let’s face the music and dance
Effervescent, elegant and exhilarating, Top Hat is a heady romantic cocktail laced with sparklingly witty dialogue, stunning choreography, lavish sets and gorgeous costumes.
Irving Berlin’s irresistible score includes some of Hollywood’s greatest songs, including the immortal Cheek to Cheek, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, Top Hat, White Tie and Tails and Puttin’ on the Ritz.
When Broadway star Jerry Travers arrives in London to open a new show, he crosses paths with model Dale Tremont, whose beauty sleep is rudely interrupted by Jerry tap dancing in the hotel suite above hers.
Instantly smitten, Jerry vows to abandon his bachelor life to win her – but the path of true love never does run smooth. Especially since Dale has mistaken Jerry for his hapless producer Horace, who’s trying to avoid the wrath of his formidable wife Madge, and Dale’s own fiery Italian admirer is planning a trip to Venice for her to showcase his couture gowns…
Based on the classic 1935 film which starred Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the stage adaptation’s West End premiere won the 2013 Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the Evening Standard Award for Best Night Out.
Acclaimed American director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, whose Tony and Olivier Award-winning production of Anything Goes recently wowed audiences and critics in London and on television, comes to the UK to stage this brand-new production.
Need to know
Tickets can only be sold through the Southbank Centre and our authorised agents, and can’t be resold. If your plans change, you’re welcome to exchange your tickets for another performance within the run of the show. Please contact our Ticket Office for more information. Credit vouchers are not available for this performance.
Book six or more tickets, and get 30% off (not available on top- and bottom-price tickets). Bookings for groups of ten or more people can be made by emailing [email protected] or phoning 020 3879 9555.
Please note that the following performances are being filmed: Tue 13, Wed 14 at 7.30pm, Thu 15 & Fri 16 Jan.
Skylon’s Top Hat set menu
Skylon restaurant, on Level 3 of the Royal Festival Hall, has partnered with Top Hat to create a set menu to complement the sparkling musical.
Book for the Skylon Top Hat set menu
Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin
Based on RKO’s Motion Picture
Adapted for the stage by Matthew White & Howard Jacques
A Chichester Festival Theatre Production presented by Kenny Wax and Jonathan Church Theatre Productions
Image gallery
Access
To book tickets for BSL interpretation, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555.
To use Audio Description, please let a member of the team know when you arrive so that we can organise a headset for you.
Find out more about the Audio Described performance
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 both adults and children. There are no adjustments to sound and lighting for these performances.
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 information
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
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
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.