London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [171]
SOUTH BANK
Southbank Centre.
After a £90 million refurbishment, the Royal Festival Hall reopened in 2007 with large-scale choral and orchestral works in newly improved acoustic surroundings. Both the Philharmonia and the London Philharmonic orchestras are based here. Another £20 million has been spent on the rest of the Southbank Centre, where other venues host smaller-scale music performances as well as art and dance along with the celebrated theatrical performance mounted by the National Theatre—everything from Zoe Wanamaker in The Cherry Orchard to a new mounting of Frankenstein to the celebrated worldwide sensation, War Horse. The Queen Elizabeth Hall has chamber orchestras and top-tier soloists, and in the intimate Purcell Room you can listen to chamber music and solo recitals. A diverse and exciting season of international and British-based contemporary dance companies is also presented in these spaces. Also part of the complex is the Hayward Gallery (Sat.–Wed. 10–6, Thurs. and Fri. 10–8 during exhibitions), a landmark Brutalist-style 1960s building and still one of London’s major venues for contemporary art exhibitions. | Belvedere Rd., South Bank | SE1 8XX | 020/7960 4200 | www.southbankcentre.co.uk | Waterloo.
Art Gallery
Fodor’s Choice | Tate Modern.
This converted power station is one of the largest modern-art galleries in the world, so give yourself ample time to take it all in. The permanent collection includes work by all the major 20th-century artists, though only a fraction is shown at any one time. There are also blockbuster touring shows and solo exhibitions of international artists. TIP The bar on the top floor has gorgeous views overlooking the Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral. | Bankside, South Bank | SE1 9TG | 020/7887–8888 | www.tate.org.uk | Free–£12.50 | Sun.–Thurs. 10–6, Fri. and Sat. 10–10 | Southwark, St. Paul’s, London Bridge.
Film
BFI London IMAX Cinema.
The British Film Institute’s glazed drum-shaped IMAX theater has the largest screen in the United Kingdom (approximately 75 feet wide and the height of five double-decker buses) playing state-of-the-art 2-D and 3-D films. | 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, South Bank | SE1 8XR | 0870/787–2525 | www.bfi.org.uk/imax | Waterloo.
BFI Southbank.
With easily the best repertory programming in London, the three cinemas and studio at what was previously known as the National Film Theatre are effectively a national film center run by the British Film Institute. They show more than 1,000 titles each year, favoring art-house, foreign, silent, overlooked, classic, noir, and short films over Hollywood blockbusters. After a recent rejuvenation and expansion, the center also has a gallery, bookshop, and “mediatheque,” where visitors can watch film and television from the National Archive. This is one of the venues for the Times BFI London Film Festival; throughout the year there are minifestivals, seminars, and guest speakers. TIP Members (£40) get priority bookings (useful for special events) and £1.40 off each screening. | Belvedere Rd., South Bank | SE1 8XT | 020/7928–3535 information, 020/7928–3232 box office | www.bfi.org.uk | Waterloo.
Theater
BAC.
Battersea Arts Centre has a reputation for producing innovative new work. Check out Scratch, a spring festival of low-tech cabaret theater by emerging artists where the audience provides feedback on works-in-progress. Tuesday shows usually have pay-what-you-can entry. | 176 Lavender Hill, Battersea | SW11 5TN | 020/7223–2223 | www.bac.org.uk | British Rail: Clapham Junction.
National Theatre.
When this theater opened in 1976, Londoners generally felt