When the World Turns
Set out on a living, breathing, sensory adventure as we grow a new world together through puppetry and music.
The world has decided things need to change. It’s shaken and shuffled, tumbled and turned, and now something magical and mischievous has started to grow…
Immersed amongst hundreds of real plants, watch, hear and feel as music, puppets, sounds, scents and shadows come to life around you. Here we can be still, here we can just be.
Together, we’ll create a new world, led by our senses. This world will be different because you are here.
When the World Turns is an accessible, intimate, interactive show from the pioneers of Sensory Theatre, Oily Cart. You can expect lots of up-close sensory moments, a gentle pace, and plenty of breathing space for processing.
A collaboration between Oily Cart (UK) and Polyglot Theatre (AUS), When the World Turns was originally commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne for major arts and disability festival Alter State
Need to know
When the World Turns has been created for and with disabled young people who are wheelchair users who experience the most barriers to access (and who have historically been labelled as having profound and multiple learning disabilities).
The capacity for this show is strictly limited to six disabled children plus their accompanying family members or guests.
Every child for whom the performance is intended needs a ticket. Each ticket admits one child and up to two accompanying guests (this can include family members, carers or access support workers).
Wheelchair users do not need to book a specific wheelchair ticket for this performance.
Access
Imagine 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 show. A chill-out space and noise-cancelling headphones are available for both adults and children.
When the World Turns has been created for and with disabled young people who are wheelchair users who experience the most barriers to access (and who have historically been labelled as having profound and multiple learning disabilities).
It is a gentle, atmospheric show, with lots of up close sensory interaction. It deliberately leaves space for slower processing times and for ‘being’ rather than doing. Because of the calm energy and slower pace, we do not recommend When the World Turns for young people who need to move around a lot or prefer a more active sensory experience.
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.