citylikeyou — National Theatre — London by Emilie Chen

London / Theatre

Just above the Dorfman Theatre lobby at the National Theatre, is the entrance to the high-level walkway, a public walkway that overlooks the National Theatre props and scenic workshop. It’s free and is a unique chance to get a glimpse of what happens backstage. I love popping in when I’m on the south bank, as you get a completely different sight each time, depending on which production the workshops are working on at the time.

Website
nationaltheatre.org.uk

Address
National Theatre, undefined Upper Ground, London, United Kingdom

Art Director Graphic Designer

Current city: London

Other cities: Paris

emiliechen.com

Emilie is a London-based graphic designer and art director from Paris. She has worked on branding projects and retail campaigns for Kickers, Speedo and Ted Baker, created campaign images, trailers, posters and programmes for the National Theatre and currently design book covers for Penguin Books. She is also one of the Ladies Wine Design London organisers. The group is part of an international community of creative women started by Jessica Walsh in New York, and runs monthly events including talks, workshops, portfolio review sessions and informal discussions.

More Places in London 471

London / Restaurant

A fermenting kitchen and restaurant. Seasonal ferments, pickles and home-made fermented drinks. My new favourite place to eat.

London / Shop

It’s coming up to Christmas and if you’re like me, i.e. like to avoid the hustle and bustle of a jam packed Oxford Street to find that perfect item for that special someone why not check out Folk Clothing which is tucked away close to Central St. Martin’s near Southampton Row and surrounded by some really interesting shops including the People’s Supermarket.

London / Shop

I spend many hours in the bookshops along this stretch, namely Henry Pordes for second hand books and new discounted titles (pile on left of photo), as well as Koenig Books for new art books with lots of great discounts in the basement. (photo right). In 2001 the rents for much of this strip were increased to align them closer to market value but thanks to public support they were reduced again. Unfortunately some bookshops still closed down; Koenig replaced the beloved Zwemmers - a real institution - but thankfully still provide great books, although others are no longer bookshops at all.

London / Nature

Epping Forest is a 2,400 hectares area of ancient woodland between Epping in the north and Wanstead in the south, straddling the border between Greater London and Essex. I tend to get off at Loughton Tube Station (Central Line), which is about 10–12min walk to the forest.

London / Cinema

Set amongst one of my favourite housing estates in London – the Brunswick, Renoir cinema shows art-house films in it's two small but comfortable screens. I come here at least twice a month, and always on my own.