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The Ghost Light

,Barbican Theatre
An empty Barbican Theatre lit with just a single white light on a stand stood on an empty stage.

A glimmer of light. An empty stage. As the silence breaks, a one-off performance begins for you alone. For the next 30 minutes, the Barbican Theatre is all yours.

Our atmospheric auditorium has been dark for months. Except for a solitary light, traditionally kept burning after hours to appease ghosts and celebrate the enduring nature of theatre. Now, as we reopen our Theatre doors, we invite you to share the moment with an artist who performs a short piece, anything from comedy to drama, dance to poetry, just for you. Could be rowdy or reflective, grand or intimate, classic or contemporary. You’ll only know once you’ve taken your seat.

Experience the spontaneity and thrill of The Ghost Light. Each show plays live on the day illuminated by the simplest glow. We’re also filming a selection to be made available free on YouTube for you to enjoy at home in February.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Theatre Winter 2021

30 mins, no interval

Age guidance 18+, some performances may contain adult content

Under new guidelines, we can only welcome visitors in groups that consist of no more than six people from the same household or support bubble. We will seat visitors from the same household or support bubble at a safe distance from each other.

Produced by the Barbican

In association with fieldwork

Performers

Marc Almond
Fehinti Balogun
Dickie Beau
Amelia Cavallo
Le Gateau Chocolat
Viviana Durante
Inua Ellams
Christopher Green
Jamie Hale
Shappi Khorsandi
CN Lester
Ursula Martinez
Patrick O'Kane
Theo (Godson) Oloyade
Maxine Peake
Tom Randle
Christian Roe
Selina Thompson
Michelle Tiwo

How to apply

Government guidance has changed, so we plan to reschedule performances. Lottery entries will remain valid for the new performance dates, which are to be announced in due course.

All tickets for The Ghost Light are being made available through an online ticket lottery. Entries are now closed and winners will be contacted directly by Box Office at least one week ahead of the performance. If you're successful you will be able to purchase up to six tickets at £15 each for a specified performance.

Performance duration will be no longer than 30-minutes and you won't know which performer you'll see until the moment the show begins.

Watch online

If you're not successful then don't worry as we'll be releasing a selection of filmed performances online for free following the run. Keep on eye on this page for more information soon.

Barbican Theatre