Street performers

Since the 1660s Covent Garden has never missed a chance to put on a performance. The first record of Covent Garden street entertainment came in 1662, when Samuel Pepys’ diary notes that a marionette show featuring a character named Punch took place on the Piazza. Today, the custom continues.

Where to Watch

West Piazza

North Hall

South Wells

All the world is a stage and none is more famous than the cobbles of Covent Garden.

For centuries, culture vultures have swooped on Covent Garden. They obviously relished the area’s eclectic, ever-changing mix or opera, ballet , musical theatre and drama, from highbrow and mainstream to fringe and beyond, all tastes are catered for and all emotion are stirred. No other urban quarter in the world has two great opera house and more than twenty thriving theatres.

Frequently asked questions

PERFORMING

PERFORMING

How do I become a street performer?
Shaftesbury Capital has a clear process for auditioning to be a Street Performer within the Market Building, which they own.
Any other performance sites, including the West Piazza, James Street, and outside the LTM fall within Westminster City Council (WCC) remit.
Covent Garden holds live auditions all year round (dates below) seeking talented vocalists, dancers, or variety /circus acts to perform at our world-famous destination.
SHC’s audition process is as follows:
- All Auditions take place at the North Hall at 10:30. Please arrive by 10:15 am to register.
- Each audition must last no longer than 3 minutes.
- We do not allow any wind instruments, brass instruments, electric guitars, drums, accordions, bagpipes, or didgeridoos to be played here at Covent Garden.
- We are unable to supply electricity, all equipment must be battery powered.
- Musicians auditioning for the North Hall cannot use backing tracks but can use microphone.
- Opera Singers auditioning for the Courtyard may sing to a backing track, but cannot use a microphone.
- Variety/ circus act performers must present a structured show and a high degree of skill as well as the ability to build a rapport with the audience.
All auditioned performers will be contacted within one week of their audition in writing. They will receive feedback and confirmation of the audition result. All decisions are final.
The auditions are managed and judged by a panel made up of representatives from the Courtyard Musicians Association, Street Performers Association & the Shaftesbury Capital Covent Garden Management Team
Please note:
There are different pitches allocated to specific types of performances:
- The North Hall is allocated predominantly for variety/circus acts with a structured show.
- The Courtyard pitch is for classical vocalists and instrumentalists.
- We currently offer freebie permits to suitable acts to work between Monday to Wednesday (The SPA reserves the right to revoke the permit within a reason)- North Hall Performances only.
The next dates for auditions are as follows:
- Monday 7^th October 2024
- Monday 6^th January 2025
How do I become a street performer in Covent Garden?
To perform on James Street, the West, East and North Piazza and The Market Building please contact Westminster Council or speak to one of the performers