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 / Architecture

2 Willow Road designed by Ernő Goldfinger and completed in 1939. It has been managed by the National Trust and is open to the public. Goldfinger lived here with his wife and their children until his death in 1987.

London / Music Venue

One of London's best kept secrets, Spiritual Bar is a small and super welcoming live music bar on a side road near Chalk Farm station. Always somehow busy but not too packed, they play host to most of London's best emerging blues, rock and folk musicians, and owner Raf is the nicest dude you could meet. And makes a serious mojito

London / Art Centre

I worked at the Barbican for several years and during that time became very fond of its architecture. One of my favourite spaces within the centre is the conservatory, a giant tropical garden in the middle of a concrete city.

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 / Bar

Sager & Wilde is a small wine bar on Hackney Road, close to many other amazing places on Hackney and Columbia Road. The perfect place for an aperitif or a nightcap.