Exploring the dramatic and dazzling world of couture fashion, this ambitious, large-scale production spans continents and reveals the hidden world behind beauty and luxury.
Paris, 2025. A prestigious fashion house receives an important commission: to create the wedding dress for a British royal princess.
Bringing together a British fashion designer, a Parisian fashion house, three French lacemakers and a beadworker in Mumbai, it’s an intense and arduous process, all for a dress that will spend mere minutes in the spotlight.
While, in the real world, everyone involved is bound to secrecy, in this gripping and cinematic show, their fates and efforts – their dreams and their tears – take centre stage.
Caroline Guiela Nguyen is a French director and filmmaker whose work has received widespread international acclaim. She is the founder of the theatre company Les Hommes Approximatifs and Artistic Director of Théâtre National de Strasbourg.
Running time: approximately 3 hours with a short pause, no interval (readmittance is allowed)
Age guidance: 14+
This show contains depictions of psychological and physical violence as well as suicide.
Performed in French, with scenes in French Sign Language, Tamil and English, with English surtitles.
Presented by the Barbican.
Images by Jean Louis Fernandez.
Video by Julien Bechara,
Ticket prices
Premier, Principal and Director’s Circle Patrons get the opportunity to access tickets for sold-out shows.
Members and Members Plus enjoy 20% off ticket prices for this show.
No booking fee. Subject to availability.
Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices for this show.
2 tickets max per booking. Subject to availability.
£12
Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free.
Subject to availability
Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may be booked online.
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.
Booking a wheelchair space:
Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.
Booking essential companion tickets:
Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.
Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats:
Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.
Groups
Groups can book at a 20% discount, subject to availability. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.
Schools
£12*, subject to availability.
Under 16’s
Save 50%, subject to availability.
*If you are a teacher or group leader planning a trip, you can receive up to £300 towards the cost of a visit to a wide variety of inspiring venues managed by the City of London Corporation. Find out more.
Booking fees
£4 booking fee per online/phone transaction.
No fee when tickets are booked in person.
Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.
Reviews
Priority Booking for Patrons and Members
Theatre
Location
The Barbican Theatre is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users in the rear of the Stalls (four) and row B of the upper circle (four), both with companion seats. Row B is reached via a platform lift, and staff will be happy to help you. Seats in the back row of the Stalls are suitable for people with limited mobility.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the theatre – please tell us when booking, to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the cloakroom staff during the performance.
Sign language
For our occasional BSL-signed performances. Stalls seats close to the signer are reserved for people with hearing impairments. Please book early and ask for these seats.
Captioned performances
These display the full text of the play on a screen as the actors speak the words. Seats with the best view of the screen are reserved for people with hearing impairments, so please book early and ask for these seats.
Audio-described performances and amplified sound
Headsets are available from the sales kiosk outside the Stalls Right entrance to the theatre
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
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