Einstein On The Beach

Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London
Einstein On The Beach

Einstein On The Beach is widely credited as one of the greatest artistic achievements of the 20th century. This rarely performed work launched its director Robert Wilson and composer Philip Glass to international success when it was first produced at the Metropolitan Opera in 1976.

Now, nearly four decades after it was first performed and 20 years since its last production, Einstein On The Beach has been reconstructed bringing this ground-breaking work to new audiences and an entirely new generation.

Einstein On The Beach breaks all of the rules of conventional opera. Instead of a traditional orchestral arrangement, Glass chose to compose the work for the synthesisers, woodwinds and voices of the Philip Glass Ensemble. Non-narrative in form, the work uses a series of powerful recurrent images as its main storytelling device shown in juxtaposition with abstract dance sequences created by American choreographer Lucinda Childs. It is structured in four interconnected acts and divided by a series of short scenes or “knee plays”. Taking place over five hours, there is no intermission, however the audience is invited to enter and exit at liberty during the performance

Please note: The house will be open and the audience will be invited to take their seats 20 minutes prior to curtain up.

Running time: 5 hours from the house opening

Cast & CreativesEXPAND

director: Robert Wilson

music by: Philip Glass

producer: Pomegranate Arts Inc

choreographer: Lucinda Childs

Ticket Prices:
£35-£125

About the show
  • Age Suitability: General
  • Genre: Opera
  • Sub-Genre: Opera-Drama
  • Show Times: Wed-Fri 18:00, Sat 17:30, Sun 16:00
  • Duration: 5h
  • opening night:
  • Box Office:
    020 7638 8891
  • Visit the Show Website
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Venue InformationHIDE

Barbican Theatre
Silk Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2Y 8DS

  • Nearest tube: Barbican/Moorgate (250m)
  • Nearest bus: 153 (stops outside theatre) 8,11, 23, 26, 35, 42, 43, 47, 48, 55, 56, 76, 78, 100, 133, 141, 149, 172, 214, 242, 243, 271, 344, 4 (Mon-Sat only), 21, 25, 521 (Mon-Fri only)
  • Parking: Barbican Centre underground car park, with free parking for orange badge holders. Please present your car park ticket and your orange badge to the Duty Manager at the box office. You will be given a sticker entitling you to free parking. Park in Car Park 3 which is entered via Silk Street. Walkway to level -1. Car Park 3 has 3 spaces for disabled customers. Car Parks 4 and 5 are entered via Beech Street and linked by lift E. Look out for directional signs on pillars - the lifts could easily be missed.
  • Air conditioned: 1
  • Download an Enabled Map

Venue Access InformationEXPAND

  • How to book: Access Enquiries Tel: 020 7382 7348 Contact the Box Office (09:00–20:00 daily) Tel: 0845 120 7500 Minicom: 0207 382 7297 SMS: 020 7256 9577
  • Telephones: Free cab phone on Level -1 at the Barbican Hall ticket office. Public cash telephones down 7 steps from -1.
  • Discounts: Half-price for both disabled customers and their companions when joining the Access Membership Scheme. This can be joined through the website, by calling the Box Office or emailing access@barbican.org.uk.
  • Limited mobility: 153 Front Stalls seats have the best leg room.
  • Access description: The Box Office (where pre paid tickets can be collected 90 minutes prior to performance) can be found in the middle of the Level -1 Stalls Foyer which is one level dowbn from the ground floor. Lifts serve all main foyer areas. The entrance is at the rear of the auditorium, ttherefore there are more steps to negotiate the closer one sits to the stage. Doors open approximately 15min prior to performance. The theatre is situated over four levels. Handrails are provided throughout and there is lift access both within the theatre (suitable for smaller wheelchairs only and on the main foyers with low level controls, tactile buttons and voice announcements (main foyer lifts only). Stalls Level (Level -1): There are 25 steps between the front and rear of the Stalls. Seats with level access are provided in the back row (Row T). Circle (Mezzanine Level): Accessible by stairs or small lift. 27 steps between the back row and side slips. Seats with level access in the back row (Row B). Upper Circle: 20 steps between teh back row and side slips. Gallery: 15 steps between the back row and side slips. Occasionally there is a completely different seating configuration - please check with the box office.
  • Hearing impaired: Sennheiser system with 30 headsets available.
  • Guide dogs policy: Can sit in the auditorium or be looked after by staff depending on customer preference. Please phone Box Office to discuss best seating options.
  • Wheelchairs: Gallery & Mezzanine floors only acessible via small lifts. 4 wheelchair spaces or 2 scooter spaces at Stalls level in Box A & B. Further 4 wheelchair spaces or 2 scooter spaces at Upper Circle level at B9-12 and B56-59 – on a platform lift which is lowered by approx. 30cm. Wheelchair and scooter transfer seating available to back row of Stalls. Wheelchair available to loan if booked in advance via the Box Office.
  • Toilets: Men’s and women’s off Level -1.
  • Disabled toilets: 2 Adapted toilets in main foyer on level -1, 2 at Theatre Circle level and one in the ground floor foyer..
  • Bars: No steps from the lift to the Stalls bar with limited seating. Other bars and cafes accessible via lifts on the Waterside level. Soft drinks and ice creams may be brought into the auditorium, subject to performance.