TheatreBarbican Centre
Barbican Theatre
Before the Barbican had been constructed, this early perspective drawing imagined what the Theatre would look like when in use. It’s one of the images we had restored by expert paper conservators.
Barbican Theatre
Looking at the costumes of the actors onstage – look at this sword and cape – it could be a Shakespeare production in period costume.
Barbican Theatre
The classical columns used as part of the stage set contrast with the modernity of the Theatre’s permanent architecture. The architect Peter Chamberlin and the opera director Anthony Besch went on a tour of Europe and North America to gather ideas for the design.
Barbican Theatre
The cross-section technique used in this drawing gives a sense of how close audience members in the Theatre feel to the stage.
Barbican Theatre
Even the Upper Circles feel close to the action.
Barbican Theatre
Shading captures the stage lighting at work.
Henry Wrong (1979-12-24/1979-12-24) by Peter BloomfieldBarbican Centre
Planning the Barbican venues
The first Director of the Barbican Centre – the title was then ‘Administrator’ – Henry Wrong, disliked the early models and plans of the venues. He thought they made them look half-empty, when he hoped they’d sell out.
TheatreBarbican Centre
Planning the Barbican venues
The artists were probably more concerned with making the drawing look interesting, and showing what the seats looked like beneath the bums.
Watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at our Theatre:
Barbican Archive Mixtape created by Jack Wormell
