THAMES TUNNEL SHAFT • SECRET CONCERT • BOTANICAL COCKTAILS • VIETNAMESE BÁNH MÌ
Join DEBUT, creators of Airbnb's No.1 Music Experience, for their intimate and fun Secret Concert at Brunel Museum’s awe-inspiring Thames Tunnel Shaft with botanical cocktails by Midnight Apothecary
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One of London’s best kept secrets, DEBUT at Brunel Museum offers magnetic performances, time to chat to your favourite musicians and the chance to discover Brunel Museum’s historic Grade II* listed Thames Tunnel Shaft.
Launched in 2017, DEBUT have hosted over 100 sold out shows, showcasing 200+ top level musicians through our intimate and fun Secret Concerts.
Crowned as Airbnb’s No.1 Music Experience and with 400 ★★★★★ reviews, it's an experience unlike any other.
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“The night will start, unintuitively, on the roof of the Brunel Museum. This is where Midnight Apothecary have set up their charming fairylit urban garden, complete with salvaged garden furniture, firepits, and thriving vegetable and herb patches, and where you can start the proceedings off with one or two of their botanical cocktails. If you're feeling peckish, you can mollify your appetite with some homemade Vietnamese for courtesy of Lò Viêt.
When the doors to the tunnel open, you can descend into the vast space and grab a seat at the bottom. You'll be just a few feet from the performers, who'll put on one of their energetic, and spine-tinglingly good shows, thanks in no small part to the magnificent acoustics of the cathedral-like space. And thanks in the much larger part to the fact that they're all brilliantly accomplished musicians, too. When the show's over, you can chat to the players, and grab another cocktail from the roof garden.”
— The Nudge (The Definitive Insiders’ Guide to London)
It’s the perfect date night, way for lone rangers to meet new people, or excuse to bring together friends and family for a celebration.
TIMINGS
6:30 PM - Botanical cocktails with Midnight Apothecary
7:00 PM - Tunnel Shaft doors open (candlelit cabaret seating)
7:30 PM - Concert Part I
8:15 PM - Interval
8:45 PM - Concert Part II
9:30 PM - Evening ends🍸 Botanical cocktails by award-winning Midnight Apothecary
🍜 Delicious Vietnamese Bánh mì by Lò Việt
🔥 Rooftop fire-pit (weather permitting)
🕯 Candlelit cabaret seating
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Part I (29.5’)
Lizzie introduction 4’
What Power Art Thou, from King Arthur by Purcell - Kieron-Connor & Sam 3.5’
Peace by Jessie Montgomery - Mebrakh & Sam 5’
Smile, Charlie Chaplin - Kieron-Connor & Sam 3’
Ombra Mai Fu, Handel - Lizzie, Kieron-Connor & Sam 4’
Gershwin Prelude no.1, arr. Cohen - Mebrakh & Sam 2’
Audience favourites, piano improvisation - Sam 4’
I dreamed a dream, from Les Mis - Kieron-Connor & Sam 4’
Interval 30’
Part II (30’)
Principal Brothers no.3 by James Lee 111 (mvt. 1 + 3) - Mebrakh 5’
Marenkas Aria from the Bartered Bride, Smetana - Lizzie & Sam 5’
New work by Sam Peña - Mebrakh & Sam 4’
Son Roe L’error Confesso, from Mitridate by Mozart - Kieron-Connor & Sam 3.5’
What good would the moon be, from Street Scene by Kurt Weill - Lizzie & Sam 3’
A route to the sky, faces of love by Jake Heggie - Kieron-Connor & Sam 2.5’
Carnival of Venice by Giampieri - Mebrakh & Sam 7’
Check our our past events (at the bottom of our What’s On page) to see previous programmes.
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Design My Night Reviews
“Incredible experience! The setting, programming and overall energy of the event was beautiful. There's something for everyone and the artists give their all. Would a hundred percent recommend.” ★★★★★
“A fabulous and special evening. My husband said it was one of his favorite date nights yet! DEBUT’s event was intimate, friendly, eclectic and educational. Would love to return.” ★★★★★
“It was a truly fantastic event! The evening began with whisky hot toddies, which went down extremely well on a wet and windy night. The space was perfect for the occasion - large enough to not be cramped, but small enough to create an intimate atmosphere with great acoustics. The candles/fairy lights/seating arrangements made for a lovely cosy evening, and blankets were even provided to make sure everyone was warm enough. The performances themselves were exceptional. We'll definitely be back!” ★★★★★
“First-class performances in a stunning, intimate setting. Loved the casual banter with the performers, too. Highly recommended!” ★★★★★
“Brilliant! The musicians and programme were incredible - from Handel to Toy Story, flutes, lutes, impeccable singing and piano improvisation that is mind-blowing. So lucky to be able to experience music of such high quality in these amazing surroundings. Highly recommend getting tickets.” ★★★★★
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Since launching in 2018 we’ve welcomed guests of all ages from around the world to our Secret Concerts, garnering over 400 ★★★★★ reviews.
Read our Latest Reviews
“Energetic & spine-tinglingly good shows” — The Nudge, The Definitive Insiders' Guide to London
Since our launch we’ve showcased over 200 top-level musicians, from rising talent to fully fledged stars. Every month we invite different guest musicians to join us and share their favourite music as well as fun behind-the-scenes insights. Each programme is curated by DEBUT to be diverse and engaging, bringing together music from across the ages from much loved classics and forgotten gems right up to the present day.
Lizzie Holmes soprano, host & founder
Sam Peña resident pianist & improviser
Kieron-Connor Valentine counter-tenor
Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson clarinet
“Energetic & spine-tinglingly good shows”