Robert Ryman at the Barbican: Maximum minimalism is a pure white delight 5/5 This retrospective of the New York artist is a jazz-infused, punk-tinged, monkish riot of stripped-back nothingness Evening Standard · Oct 15
A tour around Amy Winehouse’s private junk: five free art exhibitions to see The Back to Black singer’s books, shoes and jigsaw puzzles have gone on display. Elsewhere, a leaky Barbican and some gloriously gloopy sculptures can be viewed in London galleries this week The Guardian - UK · Oct 15
Ariana Grande Finished Her Final Tour Show, Then Immediately Got Trapped in an Elevator Ariana Grande shared photos after getting stuck in a lift moments after her final Eternal Sunshine Tour show, capping an emotional London farewell before her planned step back from public life. International Business Times UK · Sep 14
Jonathan Bailey Quits Ariana Grande Show After Barbican Artistic Director's Exit Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande have both exited the West End revival of 'Sunday in the Park with George', leading to recasting efforts for the 2027 Barbican production. International Business Times UK · Sep 3
Jonathan Bailey drops out of Barbican musical revival following Ariana Grande exit Broadchurch star’s departure comes one month after his Wicked co-star also pulled out of the production Evening Standard · Sep 1
The ear witness: Turner-winner Lawrence Abu Hamdan and his ‘sound evidence’ exposés of human rights abuses From killings in Gaza to the alleged use of a sonic weapon on a vigil in Belgrade, the Lebanese-British artist reveals how his work for activist group Earshot is inseparable from his art The Guardian - UK · Aug 25
Barbican to give away 2,000 free cuttings - here's how to get one Tickets will become available for the next plant adoption event on December 2 Evening Standard · Aug 23
Death Note the Musical at the Barbican: Childish manga adaptation 2/5 This adaptation of the classic manga may just be for devotees only Evening Standard · Aug 13
Ariana Grande: London theatre sends message of support as singer pulls out of play Grande had been due to star in Sunday In The Park With George at the Barbican. The Independent UK · Aug 3
London theatre wishes Ariana Grande ‘nothing but the best’ as she quits play The singer had been due to star in Sunday In The Park With George at the Barbican. Evening Standard · Aug 3
Ariana Grande to take ‘a step back’ from public life due to ‘endless, ongoing scrutiny’ Singer was due to reunite with Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in London production of Sunday in the Park With George The Guardian - AU · Aug 2
Ariana Grande pulls out of London musical to take a break from public scrutiny The singer was due to reunite with her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in the show. Evening Standard · Aug 2
‘It wasn’t a dream, it was a threat’: the film festival celebrating pan-Africanism’s rich and complex history Project a Black Planet: Film, a new season of screenings at the Barbican in London exemplifies how the movement was an act of solidarity, resistance and fierce creativity The Guardian - UK · Jul 14
"Not Precious, or Overly Designed" — How the Barbican's Beech Gardens Capture 'Urban Wilderness', and How to Bring Its Look to Your Own Outdoor Space In the midst of the iconic London building's brutalist architecture, a softer, naturalistic style of planting makes a striking counterpoint Livingetc · Jul 12
The Independent UK · Jun 11 Radiohead’s Thom Yorke brings ‘Hamlet Hail to the Thief’ theatre show to London’s Barbican The production sees Elsinore reimagined as a surveillance state
Euronews · Jun 8 Aliens, Pan-Africanism and Olivia Rodrigo: What to see, do or hear this week in Europe Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' beams into the box office while Olivia Rodrigo sings about love making us crazy. Here's what to look out for this week.
Evening Standard · Jun 4 High Society: Helen George gives star turn opposite Felicity Kendal 3/5 This adaptation of Cole Porter’s musical at the Barbican is ruled by the Call the Midwife star
Louder · Apr 21 “Professional pianists are the only ones who say, ‘I understand why he wanted to kill himself. I would think the same thing’”: Keith Emerson’s partner says his health issues were caused by his fear of letting people down Mari Kawaguchi remembers hearing his best-ever performance of Tarkus in a Japanese dive bar, where the critics couldn’t hurt him
Evening Standard · Mar 26 Standard Theatre Awards winner Cate Blanchett: ‘Theatre is not sacred — it’s why I feel so alive on stage' Winner of the Lebedev Award for her performance in The Seagull at the Barbican, Cate Blanchett reflects on the unique qualities of the theatre
Evening Standard · Feb 20 Salman Rushdie joins backlash against Barbican over arts chief’s exit The author is among dozens of signatories urging the Barbican to explain the removal of its Director for Arts, Devyani Saltzman, warning the decision raises serious questions about its commitment to diverse leadership
The Guardian - UK · Feb 19 Salman Rushdie among 170 figures to sign open letter over Barbican arts lead departure Exit of Devyani Saltzman, described as Barbican’s ‘driving force’, announced a few weeks after arrival of new CEO
The Guardian - UK · Feb 16 Barbican arts director to leave, months after revealing creative vision for centre Shock departure of Devyani Saltzman comes weeks after new CEO joined and before major refurbishment
The Guardian - UK · Feb 7 Anthems, agency and arias: baritone Davóne Tines on rewriting his role – and the rules The acclaimed US opera singer refuses to restrict himself or his audience. His current Barbican residency sees him range across genres. Always ask questions, always engage, he says. He talks ‘capital O opera’ and big ideas
Evening Standard · Jan 14 Yes, Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey are starring in a show at the Barbican — here's how to get tickets It seems the cast of Wicked can’t get enough of the West End
Evening Standard · Dec 23, 2025 Helen George's Call the Midwife is more serious than ever: 'What are we sleepwalking our way into?' The Call the Midwife star is taking on High Society at the Barbican next summer. She talks fashion and the politics of one of the most quietly radical shows on the BBC