Reimagined vintage Tube posters celebrate London’s live art and culture
Four vintage travel posters from London Transport Museum’s historic collection have been reimagined for contemporary London to celebrate the city’s world-class arts and culture and the role it plays in defining the capital, bringing people together to enjoy memorable experiences and great days out.
Showcasing four of the city’s iconic live arts institutions and performance venues, the new poster series celebrates London’s reputation as a vibrant cultural hub and encourage the public to get out and about to enjoy all that the city’s attractions have to offer as they continue to recover post-pandemic. The four institutions featured are: the English National Opera, London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, Royal Opera House and Southbank Centre.
Passengers can see the stunning designs on display across the Underground network between Monday 10 April to Thursday 28 April 2023. The series is part of London Transport Museum’s collaboration with Transport for London to mark 160 years of the Tube and continues the Underground’s long tradition of putting brilliant design at the heart of London’s transport to engage and connect with passengers.
Frank Pick is widely credited as the man behind London Transport’s iconic design style and identity. From 1908 onwards, Pick began to commission leading contemporary artists and designers to create attention-grabbing posters to promote the numerous music venues, theatres, galleries, museums and attractions that could be explored and enjoyed by using London’s public transport.
The posters commissioned over the succeeding decades have earned the Underground and London Transport a reputation for high quality poster design. The poster designs that feature in this new series date from 1912 through to 1999, revealing the changing artistic styles used to promote things to see and do in the capital.
Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, said:
Culture is woven into London’s DNA and our capital is home to some of the greatest theatres, venues, galleries and museums in the world. I am delighted that many of our cultural gems have been so wonderfully reimagined in these posters, highlighting the memorable experiences on offer. With cultural tourism generating billions for our economy, it has a big role to play in supporting our recovery. That’s why the Mayor launched his Let’s Do London campaign – the biggest domestic and international tourism campaign London had ever seen – which is bringing Londoners and visitors back to our city, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said:
These posters celebrate some of the many historic venues in central London that have contributed so greatly to the capital’s vibrant cultural landscape. The artwork that has adorned the walls of our transport network is as much a part of London’s history as the Tube itself, which has long gotten people from all walks of life to places like those showcased here. When the Tube opened in 1863, people would have used those early underground trains to travel to London’s live venues and we look forward to seeing people continue to use our services to see the great shows across the capital.
Annilese Miskimmon, Artistic Director, English National Opera, said:
The ENO is thrilled to collaborate with these iconic organisations to celebrate the fabulous range of culture we all contribute to London and beyond. The ENO’s mission is to make opera for everyone and create unforgettable experiences for all, especially first-time opera goers. One way we do this is by offering free tickets to Under 21s, hugely discounted tickets to Under 35s, and tickets start from £10 for everyone. This poster series displayed across the London Underground highlights how the ENO brings people together to share unforgettable operatic experiences in our unique home, the London Coliseum. So, whether you’re a first-time opera goer or a seasoned regular, why not hop on the Tube to the London Coliseum to see the ENO in action this spring, and watch world-class musicians and singers perform in our two upcoming operas, Blue and Symphony of Sorrowful Songs.
Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra, said:
We are delighted to be part of this initiative, our research into the origin of the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican poster has revealed that it could well be a painting of the LSO performing at the Queen’s Hall in around 1912, with the solo violinist being Marie Hall. For the LSO, resident orchestra at the Barbican since it opened 41 years ago, transport links have been vital in bringing visitors to our concerts. The opening of the Elizabeth Line last year means even better links to the outlying districts of London, opening opportunities for welcoming audiences from further afield. We thank the Mayor of London and London Transport Museum for supporting this campaign in support of London’s vibrant cultural offer.
Alex Beard, Chief Executive, Royal Opera House, said:
The Royal Opera House is synonymous with Covent Garden and has played a vital role in its cultural life since 1732. The Tube network has been integral to this success, bringing millions of people directly to our doors for 160 years from across London and beyond. We are delighted to be part of this fantastic campaign which celebrates the very best of London’s eclectic cultural destinations, all of which make the city one of the most loved visitor destinations in the world. After the challenges of the pandemic, we are more determined than ever to celebrate our iconic venues, recognise the indelible imprint they have made on the Capital, and welcome back audiences, curious visitors and tourists from around the world.
Elaine Bedell, CEO, Southbank Centre, said:
As one of the UK’s top 5 most visited attractions, the Southbank Centre is pleased to be playing our part in London’s cultural recovery. These beautiful posters, which invited so many visitors to London’s cultural gems in the past, are once again highlighting the excitement and diversity of London’s cultural offer. I hope that they’ll inspire many more visitors to visit the Southbank Centre and London in the coming weeks and I look forward to welcoming audiences to our Planet Summer festival.
Elizabeth McKay, Chief Operating Officer, London Transport Museum, said:
‘London is home to incredible cultural organisations that define the character of the city, making it a wonderfully vibrant, creative and welcoming place to live and visit. The memorable experiences that these attractions offer were so missed during the pandemic. The Underground has long played its part in encouraging people to make the most of all the capital has to offer, be it our brilliant concert halls and theatres to our art galleries and museums to the city’s palaces and parks. It is wonderful to continue this tradition to mark 160 years of the Tube with this celebration of London’s live music and art.
The Tube 160 x Love London’s Culture Posters
First published in 1912, Fred Taylor’s artwork publicises travelling by Tube to enjoy London’s Sunday concerts and is the oldest poster featured in the series. Today it promotes London Symphony Orchestra, resident orchestra at the Barbican.
Original poster: ‘For the Sunday Concerts’ by Fred Taylor, 1912 © TfL from London Transport Museum’s collection
Charles Atkinson’s exuberant 1930s poster celebrates the merriment of London’s pantomimes, plays and cinemas. Today it celebrates the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, home to The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.
Original poster: ‘Pantomimes, plays and picture’ by Charles Atkinson, 1933 © TfL from London Transport Museum’s collection
Created in 1986, this vibrant mosaic design by artist Trevor Caley pays homage to London’s theatres and stage venues. Reimagined for today it celebrates the English National Opera, the resident opera company of the London Coliseum in St Martin’s Lane.
Jake Sutton’s watercolour was commissioned by London Transport for a 1999 poster campaign titled ‘Simply Travel’. Full of colour and movement, it depicts the hustle and bustle of central London and its cultural delights which are easily enjoyed by bus and Tube. Today it promotes London’s Southbank Centre.
Original poster: ‘Simply London by Tube and bus’ by Jake Sutton, 1999 © TfL from London Transport Museum’s collection
Purchase the Tube 160 x Love London’s Culture posters from our online shop or from the Museum shop in Covent Garden.