London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [170]
The Place.
The Robin Howard Dance Theatre is London’s only theater dedicated to contemporary dance, and with tickets between £6 and £17 it’s good value, too. “Resolution!” is the United Kingdom’s biggest platform event for new choreographers. | 17 Duke’s Rd., Bloomsbury | WC1H 9PY | 020/7121–1100 | www.theplace.org.uk | Euston.
ISLINGTON
Art Gallery
Victoria Miro Gallery.
This important commercial gallery has exhibited some of the biggest names on the British contemporary art scene—Chris Ofili, the Chapman brothers, and Peter Doig, to name a few. It also brings in exciting new talent from abroad. | 16 Wharf Rd., Islington | N1 7RW | 020/7336–8109 | www.victoria-miro.com | Free | Tues.–Sat. 10–6 | Old St., Angel.
Dance
Fodor’s Choice | Sadler’s Wells.
This gleaming building opened in 1998, the seventh on the site in its 300-year history, and is devoted to presenting leading classical and contemporary dance companies. The Random Dance Company is in residence. The little Lilian Bayliss Theatre here has more left-field pieces. | Rosebery Ave., Islington | EC1R 4TN | 0844/412–4300 | www.sadlerswells.com | Angel.
Theatre
Almeida Theatre.
This Off–West End venue premieres excellent new plays and exciting twists on the classics, often featuring high profile actors. The Almeida Opera Festival in July has an adventurous program of new opera and musical theater. | Almeida St., Islington | N1 1TA | 020/7359–4404 | www.almeida.co.uk | Angel, Highbury & Islington.
KILBURN
Film and Theater
Tricycle Theatre.
The Tricycle is committed to the best in Irish, African-Caribbean, Asian, and political drama, and the promotion of new plays. There is also a gallery and cinema: expect the best of new British, European, and World Cinema, as well as films from the United States. There are occasional Irish, black, and Asian film festivals, as well as a year-round program of film-related activities for children. Discounted cinema tickets are available on Monday. | 269 Kilburn High Rd., Kilburn | NW6 7JR | 020/7328–1900 information, 020/7328–1000 box office | www.tricycle.co.uk | Kilburn.
KING’S CROSS
Classical Music
Kings Place.
This airy new concert venue, opened in October 2008—the first in London for 25 years—by the Eurostar terminal in King’s Cross, is the permanent home of the London Sinfonietta and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. It offers weeklong programs by musicians in a range of genres, and the London Chamber Music Society performs Sunday concerts. The past season saw a staggering array of fascinating options, ranging from a mini-festival celebrating the Liszt Bicentenary, “Tasmin Little & Friends: Violin Journeys,” a series of Mozart Unwrapped concerts, and the “Off With Their Heads” Comedy Festival 2011. | 90 York Way, King’s Cross | N1 9AG | 0207/520–1490 | www.kingsplace.co.uk | King’s Cross.
THE CITY
Barbican Centre.
Opened in 1982, the Brutalist-style Barbican is the largest performing arts center in Europe. Two galleries, three cinemas, and an array of spaces host a wide range of arts while the main concrete theater is most famous as the home of the London Symphony Orchestra. As well as the LSO (www.lso.co.uk), the Barbican is frequent host of the English Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and has an excellent concert season of big-name virtuosos. Performances by British and international theater companies make up part of its year-round B.I.T.E. (Barbican International Theatre Events), which also features groundbreaking performance, dance, drama, and musical theater. Innovative exhibitions of 20th-century and current art and design are shown in the Barbican Gallery and the Curve (Usually free). In addition to Hollywood films, obscure classics and film festivals with Screen Talks are programmed in the three cinemas here. Saturday Family Film Club has adventure and animation to please