Focus report: Get the inside track on London's art scene

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Sneak a look behind the TV cameras on a tour around London's BBC Television Centre as part of Open Rehearsal Weekend

Make your own musical at London's Theatre Royal Stratford East as part of Open Rehearsal Weekend

A rare opportunity to see a working stage and piano rehearsal as the English National Opera prepares for its new production of Partenope.

Open Rehearsal
Venues across London
26, 27, 28 September 2008
www.openrehearsal.co.uk
Most events are free, but check website or organisation if in doubt

If you ever wanted to find out what goes into creating a stage production, a musical performance or an exhibition, Open Rehearsal is returning at the end of September, giving Londoners and visitors to the capital another chance to go behind the scenes at some of the London's great arts institutions and cultural organisations.

Now in its fourth year, Open Rehearsal 2008 takes place on Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September, with an even bigger programme that features more than 300 events and activities in every borough across the capital, including, for the first time, visual arts, museums and open studio events.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is backing the festival, says: 'London can't be beat for the range, originality and bravura that characterises its arts and cultural scene. We have some of the greatest arts organisations in the world and Open Rehearsal is a brilliant opportunity to find out what makes them tick and to learn something new.'

There should be something of interest for everyone, from a dance workshop with the Merce Cunningham Company at the Barbican, to a playwriting workshop at the Royal Court Theatre. For the first time, the Royal Ballet, Royal Opera and the orchestra of the Royal Opera House are opening their rehearsals to the public, offering a unique insight into the world famous organisation, and the BBC Singers, the UK's only full-time professional chamber choir are giving would be singers a fantastic opportunity to develop technique and learn new repertoire.

At Theatre Royal Stratford, a creative space is being provided for writers, musicians, story-tellers and performers, inspired by Ray Davies' new musical 'Come Dancing', whilst in Bexley would be campanologists can try their hand at bell ringing, when the Charmborough Ring – a mobile ring of bells offering scaled down version of the sounds that can be heard in churches across the country – comes to Bexleyheath Town Centre. Acclaimed jazz musician and singer Cleveland Watkiss has a jazz vocal improvisation workshop for adults and children at Latchmere School in Kingston, whilst highly regarded guitarist Allan Holdsworth is leading a session at the Mick Jagger School in Dartford.

This year's Open Rehearsal coincides with the launch of the Cultural Olympiad, the national festival designed to showcase and encourage enjoyment and participation in arts and culture in the run-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Munira Mirza, Director for Arts, Culture and Creative Industry says: 'Open Rehearsal is about getting Londoners of all ages and backgrounds engaged in new and exciting ways with the London's arts and cultural sector in London and I think this fits very well with what the Cultural Olympiad is about. There is a huge programme and because things are happening in every borough, even more people will have the chance to be a part of it.'

Other organisations taking part in Open Rehearsal include: Ballet Central; the Bureau of Silly Ideas; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Rich Mix; National Theatre; the ICA; the Serpentine; New Wimbledon Theatre; Lyric Hammersmith and National Theatre of Scotland; Museum of London; National Gallery; National Portrait Gallery; Somerset House; London Bubble Theatre; Cardboard Citizens; Blackheath Halls; Shape, Tara Arts; The Place; The Old Vic; Watermans; the V&A; The Wellcome Collection; Arcola Theatre; Pinewood Studios; and many more.

 

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