It may sound as cliched as roasting chestnuts, or flying snowmen, but there really is something for everyone at Southbank Centre this Christmas: The epic Lost & Found Orchestra from the ingenious creators of Stomp, making its London premiere; Sinderella, a very modern take on a much loved fairytale from the very wicked Tiger Lillies; Nights of music and song, ranging from beatboxer Shlomo to 1940s glamour girls Puppini Sisters; A comedy series with added magic and mind reading including Jerry Sadowitz, Tim Minchin, Chris Cox, Keith Farnan and Pappy’s Fun Club; a joyous celebration of the 100th birthday of the late ‘Stately Homo of England’ Quentin Crisp and a major exhibition that brings a fresh perspective to Andy Warhol’s work at The Hayward.
For four weeks only, in the Royal Festival Hall, audiences will be able to witness the theatrical spectacle of Lost & Found Orchestra who – like some ragged, postapocalyptic orchestra forced to make music with objects scavenged from the rubbish heap – make incredible music on instruments fashioned from drainpipes, discarded soy sauce bottles, water coolers and traffic cones. On 13th December, following his triumphant Glastonbury performance this summer, Shlomo invites a host of stars to join him onstage at the Queen Elizabeth Hall for a night to promote music as an aid to fight knife crime.
The always inventive Tiger Lillies, who’s Shockheaded Peter won universal acclaim, present their deliciously macabre take on Sinderella – The Twisted Tale of a Christmas Crack Whore, in the Queen Elizabeth Hall with Justin Bond from Kiki & Herb on 18, 19 and 20th December.
Southbank Centre presents a season of comedy for the first time this Christmas, with some of the finest established and rising stars – all seen at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. On 14th December, uncompromising comedian and magician Jerry Sadovitz storms the stage of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, followed by philosopher/rockstar/comedian and all-round wild man Tim Minchin on 21st December. The Purcell Room sees a run of comedy and music, including Chris Cox, the mind reader who can’t read minds, comedy sketch group of the moment Pappy’s Fun Club, Irish stand-up Keith Farnan and the singing troupe all the way from the 1940s, Puppini Sisters.
On 13th December, House of Homosexual Culture presents Happy Crispmas a celebration of the life of Quentin Crisp who was born on Christmas day 1908, with talks, film and a Quentin Crisp Lookalike Competition.
The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall turns up the heat this winter with In from the Cold, a full programme of music, dance, cabaret, films and events for adults and children. UK phenomenon, Baby Loves Disco gives London’s tots the chance to strut their stuff on the dance floor on Saturday 20th December with a bona fide DJ, spinning a set for babies who love to boogie. From the foxtrot to the jitterbug, Strictly Christmas Ballroom on 28th December concludes a lively weekend of free dance including Tango (Friday 26) and Jive and Rockabilly (Saturday 27), giving dancers of all ages and abilities the chance to put on their glad rags and dance the night away, with live music from the Ross Mitchell Band. Voicelab, Southbank Centre’s resident choir lead a wholesome carol sing along (Saturday 20) while Chaz Royal and the London Burlesque Festival brings a touch of old school glamour to the New Year with a night of burlesque, striptease and retro fun.
While the hugely successful Slow Food Market returns to Festival Square, for the first time at Southbank Centre, a German Christmas Market will spread along Queen’s Walk, between London Eye and the front of the Royal Festival Hall.
At Southbank Centre shops this Christmas time you will find inspirational gifts for every age including eco friendly children’s gifts, this season’s must have design ware, stunning jewellery, funky home accessories and Southbank Centre Membership. Specially selected ranges will take inspiration from The Hayward’s Andy Warhol exhibition & Lost and Found Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall to offer a unique range of Christmas gift ideas and fun decorations. -- www.southbankcentre.co.uk
