Welcome to the Barbican’s 25^th birthday. We are thrilled that many companies and artists familiar to bite audiences have agreed to take part in the celebrations.  No birthday could be complete without The Ninagawa Company, Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre, The Maly Drama Theatre, Ronnie Burkett’s Theatre of Marionettes and Cheek by Jowl, Salia and Seydou and many other friends.

Almost inevitably, the role of culture in times of conflict emerges as a powerful theme this season. I am pleased to welcome from India, Cambodia, the Ukraine and Europe, companies whose work has in some way grown out of a context of revolution, oppression or utter devastation. We will explore the role of culture as both a response to conflict and as a means of healing in Culture for Change, a series of talks and discussions.

We warmly invite you to join us.