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Festival is backstage pass to the artistic heart of city
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard06.08.08
Hundreds of London theatres, museums and cinemas are throwing open their doors to give the public a weekend of behind-the-scenes access.
The fourth annual Open Rehearsal weekend is the biggest ever with more than 300 events and activities in every borough.
Organised by the Greater London Authority, the three-day event from 26 to 28 September gives people a chance to take part in workshops as well as watch professionals at work.
Highlights include sitting in on rehearsals of the Royal Ballet, Royal Opera, and orchestra of the Royal Opera House. The BBC Singers, Britain's only full-time professional chamber choir, are holding workshops giving the opportunity to develop technique and learn new pieces.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: "London can't be beaten for the range, originality and bravura that characterise 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."
Other events include a dance workshop with the Merce Cunningham Company at the Barbican and a playwriting workshop at the Royal Court Theatre.
This year's Open Rehearsal will help launch the Cultural Olympiad, the national festival designed to showcase and encourage enjoyment and participation in arts and culture in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.
Conductor Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra will hold an open rehearsal at the Southbank Centre. And on the Sunday, violinist Viktoria Mullova and her ensemble can be seen rehearsing at 12pm for a concert that day.
Other organisations and venues taking part include Ballet Central, Bureau of Silly Ideas, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Rich Mix, National Theatre, the ICA, Serpentine Gallery, New Wimbledon Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith and National Theatre of Scotland, Museum of London, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.
