Cold Sweat: an experimental theatre evening at the Purcell Room

Forced Entertainment’s six core artists have collaborated since 1984, working from Sheffield and touring internationally.

This production is directed by Tim Etchells, who also supplies text, composition and sound. Richard Lowdon, Claire Marshall and Terry O’Connor devised and perform the work with the company.

Lowdon designs the stage; Jim Harrison handles lighting and production management. The use of lip-syncing develops an approach explored in the group’s earlier Signal to Noise.

Choose one performance: the dates repeat the same production.

Friday adds a post-show conversation, useful if you want to hear about the choices behind what you have watched. Leave that evening open afterwards if the talk matters to you.

Saturday makes a simpler theatre-only plan. In either case, compare the final seat price on the official booking page before organising the rest of your evening.

This is a good candidate for someone curious about devised performance, recorded sound or unconventional storytelling.

A group that wants a familiar musical or a straightforward narrative should compare other theatre choices first. Talk about that expectation before buying: an unusual performance works better as a deliberate choice than as a surprise booked solely because it fits an empty evening.

The venue’s age guidance and language warning belong in that decision.

Head to Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX, and follow signs for the Purcell Room within Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Waterloo is the nearest Underground approach; Embankment is across Hungerford Bridge. Save the room name as well as your ticket, since the wider site contains several performance venues.

For Saturday, read the existing 10–11 October TfL briefing and check live services before departure.

Open the venue’s access information and confirm your required route or seating arrangement before purchase.

Do not assume a neighbouring hall’s seating instructions apply to this room. Choose dinner close to your arrival route, with enough margin to find the entrance.

A short riverside walk is an optional addition if the weather suits; keep it flexible. The advertised runtime is approximate, so leave space before a return booking, especially if staying for Friday’s talk.