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London’s Barbican has announced its 2022 Theatre and Dance programme, from January to April. It includes London International Mime Festival, Boy Blue and Ballet Black, as well as Belarus Free Theatre, and Barbican Theatre Open Lab alumni, The PappyShow. From family-friendly performances to a late-night party for the over 18s, there’s something to suit all tastes. 

Whilst the RSC’s The Comedy of Errors continues in the Theatre, 2021 ends with the Barbican co-commission of First Light by UK-based theatre artists Daniel Naddafy and Marty Langthorne. This world premiere is an immersive theatrical installation that explores the wonders of sensory development in early childhood made especially for babies and toddlers.

London International Mime Festival then returns with four shows at the Barbican. In the Theatre, Compagnie 111 returns with aSH, a piece by French theatre director Aurélien Bory for Indian performer Shantala Shivalingappa which completes Bory’s trilogy of large-scale solos for female dancers. In The Pit UK-based Thick & Tight make their Barbican debut with Short & Sweet – a modern variety show of nine new works including a preview of a Japanese Noh theatre-inspired piece.

Barbican Artistic Associate Boy Blue returns to the Theatre with their biennial showcase, A Night with Boy Blue, hosted by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante and Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy. These performances mark the company’s 21st birthday and assemble the entire company from the youngest pupils to professional dancers. After Saturday’s performance, over 18s are invited to dance until late at the BSI Jam: Beats, Streets & Inspiration – After Party in the Barbican foyer.