Meet the Street Performers of London’s South Bank

Contact juggler with crystal ball, street performer in London

South Bank's street performers

After seeing the performers along London’s South Bank, I feel I’m woefully lacking in party tricks.

I want to glide and be lithe and graceful. I want to be a street performer and create the most effortless yet unnatural movements with my body.

I saw a man standing on another man’s head and they both started juggling. Surely the man balancing on top of the other man’s head should tumble to the pavement after a single, minute movement. But somehow, defying gravity, they continued juggling and wiggling as though their bodies were looped together by a single piece of invisible string. The longer they performed, the higher the balls flew in the air, and were caught with razor fast precision. The more outlandish their act, the bigger the crowd grew around them.

Then there are the contact jugglers. Hypnotising and bewitching the audition with a single, transparent ball that moves like water and seemingly floats in the air like magic.

Reflection glass ball, contact juggling, South Bank, Street Performer, London

When is the best time to see the South Bank street performers?

The best time to visit South Bank is in the summer when the sun is shining, and you’re guaranteed to see a wide variety of different acts. Some of the world’s best street performers flock to London in the summer to show off their tricks at South Bank and hopefully make some decent money as well.

Mime, street performer london, south bank

You might even spot Charlie Chaplin entertaining the crowds!

Cyr Wheel, big hoop, street performer in South Bank

Called a Cyr Wheel, the performer incorporates his acrobatic movements inside and out of the wheel.

Contact juggling

Contact juggling ball, contact juggling in South Bank, London, Michael Moschen, crystal ball, glass

I find it fascinating how most street performers move so effortlessly that we often forget years of dedication has gone into honing their skill.

I tried my hand at contact juggling once, but after an hour of perpetually dropping the ball on my feet I called it quits. My toes were black and blue.

However, my cousin, Marlene, is a street performer at South Bank. She’s one of the few contact jugglers captivating crowds with ‘glass’ balls that look to seemingly float and glide along the body.

Despite popular belief the glass or crystal ball is actually made of acrylic resin. I hope that doesn’t take away some of its allure…

Contact juggling is still a relatively unknown performance act compared to fire eaters, street musicians and acrobats, but it was bought to mainstream attention through David Bowie’s film Labyrinth in 1986.

The street performers glide and recycle their energy so that every movement looks new and exciting.

And what I love most about street performers is that every movement made is deliberate and purposeful, like they have stepped inside a circle that is aligned with the contours of the Universe. In a simpler way, I think that is what travelling is about too… trying to find the long and beautiful contours of the world.

Take a watch of Marlene’s friend, Nico, who is one of the best contact jugglers in the world!

What else does South Bank have to offer?

A visit to South Bank doesn’t end at its street performers. There are many museums including the Tate Modern and the Hayward Gallery, both showing contemporary art.

If you’d prefer to stay outdoors, you can walk along the full length of the River Thames, crossing the many bridges including Golden Jubilee Bridge and London Bridge. 

If you’re a fan of brutalist architecture, take the opportunity to discover some of London’s finest along the South Bank. 

Or if you’re looking to appease your appetite, head to Borough Market for a wide variety of savoury and sweet delights.

South Bank really is a cultural hotspot not to be missed.

Golden Jubilee Bridges in London, South Bank, Contact Juggling

Lapping up the sunshine with Marlene on the Hungerford/ Golden Jubilee Bridge which connects South Bank to Embarkment.

The London Eye, Southbank, Golden Jubilee Bridges, Contact Juggling
From South Bank you are also very close to the London Eye. Why not head over and see London from a bird’s eye perspective?

Have you explore London's South Bank?

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Hi, I'm Shing

Welcome to The Culture Map, a place where I share my travel guides, adventurous tales, and capture the inspiring diversity of our world.

7 Responses

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  2. Street performers we’re been watching last time were con men. You know… the “under which cup is the ball”-like games. Big gambling, big wins for accomplices, big losses for strangers. My wife’s friend was freaking out for just watching: “let’s go let’s go before they kill us” 🙂

    1. Haha I’ve created a mental image of your scenario – and on that occasion I think you were right to err on the side of caution!

      Just make sure you stop for the ‘real’ ones – as they’re not all murderous con artists! 😉

    1. Hello! I too find their lifestyle fascinating – and it’s inspiring that they can travel the world through doing something they love! Perseverance really does pay off!

      I just checked out your blog – you’ve been to many interesting places that I will enjoy reading about! Thanks for reading.

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