Winter at the Southbank Centre

The Southbank Centre on the edge of the River Thames is the UK’s largest arts centre, spread over 21 acres.

This winter it is putting this mammoth stage to good use and hosting a series of theatrical events, from demented enchantment to belly-rumbling comedies, there is a show to suit every taste.

The Colour of Nonsense

Monday 19 – Friday 30 December

Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall

With Forkbeard’s famed mix of visual trickery, film and outlandish storylines, 'The Colour of Nonsense' is an exuberant satire on a world always in search of ‘the new’. Folkbeard Fantasy has combined Edward Lear's The Dong with the Luminous Nose with this classical tale. At the studios of Splash, Line and Scuro, Cutting Edge Conceptualists, things haven't been looking too hot of late. Splash is paralysed by indecision and all the bright youngsters are queuing up eager to knock him off his perch. Then, out of the blue, comes a mysterious multi-million pound commission but with it confusion and chaos. Come on a hilarious cartoon journey through the lands of sense and nonsense. "A glorious dotty comedy thriller inspired by Edward Lear and The Emporere's New Clothes... thoughtful fun" (4 stars)- The Guardian

21st, 24th, & 28th December, 14:00. 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th December, 19:45. (No performances 25th & 26th December) £20 £15

Murmurs

Tuesday 20 December – Monday 2 January

Queen Elizabeth Hall

After Aurélia's award winning production of 'Oratorio' comes 'Murmurs'. Similarly starring in and directing this show, it promises to offer wonder and amazement to the seemingly mundane. A tour of whirlwind romance, city confusion, undersea encounters and dining-room debacles told through a blend of theatre, illusion and dance by director and designer Victoria Thierrée Chaplin with Aurélia Thierrée. Aurélia is fleeing from reality, her life in cardboard boxes she begins to transform everyday actions into strange, beautiful events. Praise for Arélia's previous work- "An absolute spellbinder...an enchanting dream" (4 stars)-The Daily Telegraph

24th, 28th, 31st December & 2nd January, 14:30. 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th December & 2nd January, 19:30. (No performances 25 December & 1 January) 2nd January: audio-described performance

The Bollywood Trip

Monday 12 – Sunday 18 December

Queen Elizabeth Hall

What happens when a Bollywood star winds up in a psychiatric ward in Denmark? Chaos, comedy, music, love and spectacular Bollywood dancing. In this brand new love story with a twist, Haroon is a young man living in a fantasy world of his own creation, claiming to be India’s greatest Bollywood star. Within this bombastic stage production the protagonist gets both the patients at the hospital, and the audience dancing. East meets West as an international cast of actors, dancers and musicians present this tragi-comedy by Republique, one of Denmark's most acclaimed theatre companies. Award-winning director Rolf Heim collaborates with leading modern kathak choreographer and Southbank Centre Artist in Residence Gauri Sharma Tripathi. Musician and composer Stephan Grabowski and band provide the musical score.

18th December, 11:00. Captioned Performance, 17th December 14:00 & 18th December 15:00. 12th – 17th December 19:30. £30 £25 £20

Spaghetti Western Orchestra

Thursday 5 – Wednesday 11 January

Queen Elizabeth Hall

As seen at the BBC Proms and on Later with Jools Holland, the international sensation returns following sell-out shows in 2009 and 2010 to perform music from the movies that made Clint Eastwood a star.

7th January, 14:30. 5th – 11th January, 19:30. £30 £25 £20

Words: KG

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