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London International Mime Festival 2026: The Legacy Continues in MimeLondon

When London shakes off the post-holiday chill each January, one of its most imaginative cultural traditions comes alive: a festival that champions the expressive, boundary-breaking power of physical and visual theatre. In 2026, that tradition continues with MimeLondon, the spiritual successor to the London International Mime Festival (LIMF) — a beloved institution of performance art that ran from 1977 until 2023.

A Festival with Deep Roots

For nearly five decades, the London International Mime Festival was one of the city’s most cherished arts events, attracting audiences and performers from around the world. It showcased work that defies easy categorisation — from mime and clowning to puppetry, circus-theatre and object performance — all without reliance on spoken language. LIMF grew from a one-off showcase in 1977 to a sprawling season across London’s major spaces, including the Barbican, Sadler’s Wells, Southbank Centre and more than 30 venues in its history.

Though LIMF concluded in 2023, its founders and long-time directors, Helen Lannaghan and Joseph Seelig, have carried its spirit forward through MimeLondon.

MimeLondon 2026: What to Expect

MimeLondon 2026 takes place 21–31 January across several iconic London venues, promising a curated programme of daring and original performances.
Rather than traditional mime routines, the festival presents cutting-edge physical theatre from international companies — works that blend movement, storytelling and visual innovation.

Highlights include:

• Gecko’s The Wedding — a returning dystopian physical theatre classic that mesmerises audiences with its poetic movement and striking imagery (Sadler’s Wells, 21–24 Jan).
• Sadiq Ali’s I Am — an aerial, Chinese pole and aerial piece exploring resilience in the face of life-changing challenges (The Place, 23–24 Jan).
• Compagnie Le Fils du Grand Réseau’s Bigre/Fishbowl — French physical comedy full of visual wit and inventiveness (Peacock Theatre, 28–31 Jan).
• Ockham’s Razor’s Collaborator — an intimate, playful duet that blends object manipulation and character interplay (The Place, 29–31 Jan).

These productions showcase the range and depth of contemporary visual theatre — performances that thrill, challenge and move audiences without needing words.

Why This Festival Matters

What makes MimeLondon (and the legacy of LIMF) special isn’t just the artistry — it’s the way it brings audiences into contact with theatre as pure expression. In a world where so much contemporary culture is dominated by dialogue and spectacle, this festival celebrates the universal language of movement, gesture and imagination.

It’s an event for curious theatre-goers, lovers of dance and physical performance, and anyone interested in how human storytelling can transcend speech. Whether you’re a seasoned art-theatre fan or a curious first-timer, there’s something in this festival that can surprise, delight and inspire.

Planning Your Visit

Dates: 21–31 January 2026
Venues: Sadler’s Wells, Peacock Theatre, The Place, Shoreditch Town Hall (and more)
Tickets: Prices vary per show - book ahead for best availability

London’s winter arts calendar is rich and varied, but MimeLondon stands out by offering something truly different — a chance to experience performance art in its most inventive and expressive form.