There’s something undeniably magical about visiting a legendary London landmark after dark, isn’t there? That feeling of exclusivity and excitement as you wander the halls of a historic building after it has closed its doors to the general public is pretty unmatched. And so the the news of yet another of the city’s iconic institutions deciding to get involved in the late-night action is (classical) music to my ears, to be quite honest with you.
After Hours at the Royal Opera House
London’s world-renowned Royal Opera House will be opening its doors after hours this week for an evening of talks, tours, demonstrations, and dancing. Taking place on August 21 (this Friday), the event will offer visitors the unique opportunity to have nosey around areas of the Covent Garden venue that are usually off-limits – giving them a true peek behind the curtain of the dramatic, decadent, and down-right dazzling art forms housed within it.
The evening will kick off with a welcome drink before guests select the path they wish to take. The exclusive experiences are inspired by 4 different themes: Stories, Stage, Screen, and Style – and each of them will explore the relationship between the ancient art forms of ballet and opera and modern-day pop culture.
Visitors will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the talks, demos, installations, and activities taking place throughout the evening. Uzma Hameed will talk about how she takes literature off the page and transforms it to suit the stage; a soloist from the Royal Ballet will discuss the influence ballet has had on style; and Esther Bialas will explain the costume-designing process.
There will also be a whole host of live demonstrations taking place. Visitors will be able to watch live as a costume is transformed, find out how some of the most iconic costumes are maintained, restored, and reused, have a go at singing as part of an ensemble, and experience the exhilaration of a stage combat fight being choreographer before their very eyes.
The event will culminate (as all good evenings do) in a silent disco in the gorgeous glass-roofed Paul Hamlyn Hall where guests can dance the rest of the night away. Tickets cost £60 and include a welcome drink, access to all talks and demonstrations and two of the behind-the-scenes tours, and entry to the silent disco. Sigh me up!
The Royal Opera House’s After Hours event will take place on Friday, August 21 from 5.30pm. Find out more and snap up a ticket here.
