16 Exhibitions, Theatre Shows & Events To Book This Season
THEATRE
Minority Report, Lyric Theatre
Philip K. Dick’s dystopian story has been adapted for stage and will show at the Lyric Theatre later this month. In 2050, neuroscientist Dame Julia Anderton is about to launch the next phase of her pioneering pre-crime programme, detaining people for crimes before they are committed. But when Julia is accused of pre-murder, she’s in a race against time to save herself from her own system.
20th Apr-18th May
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Player Kings, Noël Coward Theatre
Ian McKellen stars in a new version of Shakespeare's Henry IV, adapted by the award-winning writer and director Robert Icke. England is a divided country, its leadership is crumbling and corruption is in the air. Hal wasn't born to be king, but now he will be. His father longs for him to leave behind his friends in the taverns of Eastcheap, most notably the infamous John Falstaff. War is on the horizon. But will Hal ever come good?
Until 22nd Jun
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The Constituent, The Old Vic
This new play stars Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, Line of Duty) as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis, played by James Corden. The play deconstructs modern-day politics and explores the conflict between public service and personal safety. The Old Vic’s artistic director Matthew Warchus is directing the play, so we’re expecting good things.
13th Jun-10th Aug
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Romeo & Juliet, Duke of York Theatre
Millennial heartthrob Tom Holland (Spiderman) is set to play Romeo in this new production at the Duke of York Theatre. Directed and produced by Jamie Lloyd Company, known for its modern adaptations and adventurous stagings, the production will rework Shakespeare’s timeless story of two young people torn apart by a divided society and forbidden love.
11th May-3rd Aug
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Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre
BAFTA and Olivier award-winner Sheridan Smith returns to the stage in this new musical. Based on John Cassavetes' film, Opening Night follows a theatre company's preparations to stage a new play on Broadway. But drama ignites backstage when their leading lady is rocked by tragedy and her personal turmoil forces everyone to deliver the performance of their lives. Also stars Hadley Fraser (The Lehman Trilogy) and Shira Haas (Unorthodox).
Until 27th Jul
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Spirited Away, London Coliseum
Spirited Away (2001) is the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. Now, Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award winning film has been adapted for the stage with unique puppetry, and performed in Japanese with English translation. Spirited Away tells the enchanting tale of Chihiro who, while travelling to a new home with her family, stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. When her parents are turned into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must use her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world.
30th Apr-24th Aug
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Hello Dolly!, London Palladium
Imelda Staunton plays the title role in a new production of Michael Stewart’s 1964 play. Meddlesome socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi (Staunton) travels to Yonkers, New York, to find a match for the miserly, unmarried ‘half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder, but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is for herself.
6th Jul-21st Sep
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Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare’s Globe
Shakespeare’s Globe has an exciting roster of shows in the coming months, but we’re most looking forward to watching this classic tragedy. Rome is an empire ruled by men. Egypt is a kingdom governed by a woman. Despite their different cultures, Roman general Antony falls for Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Their passion blazes across two continents, upsets the world order and puts thousands of lives at risk…
4th Aug-15th Sep
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EXHIBITIONS
Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection, V&A
This exhibition will feature an unparalleled selection of the world's leading photographers, telling the story of modern and contemporary photography across subjects such as fashion, celebrity, reportage and the male body. Featuring loans from the private collection of Sir Elton John and David Furnish, it will showcase over 300 rare prints from over 140 photographers – the majority of which will be on public display for the first time. Look out for works by Robert Mapplethorpe, Cindy Sherman, William Eggleston, Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, Zanele Muholi and Ai Weiwei.
18th May-5th Jan
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Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy
Run without interruption since 1769, the Summer Exhibition showcases art in all forms by invited artists, Royal Academicians and emerging talent. From painting, film and photography to architectural works and sculpture, this year’s exhibition will be coordinated by sculptor Ann Christopher.
18th Jun-18th Aug
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Now You See Us: Women Artists In Britain 1520-1920, Tate Britain
Spanning 400 years, this exhibition follows women on their journeys to becoming professional artists. From Tudor times to the First World War, artists such as Mary Beale, Angelica Kauffman, Elizabeth Butler and Laura Knight paved a new artistic path for generations of women. They challenged what it meant to be a working woman of the time by going against society’s expectations – having commercial careers as artists and taking part in public exhibitions. Including over 150 works, the show dismantles stereotypes surrounding women artists in history and celebrates their many successes.
16th May-13th Oct
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Zanele Muholi, Tate Modern
South African artist Zanele Muholi is one of the most acclaimed photographers working today and their work has been exhibited all over the world. Muholi describes themself as a visual activist. From the early 2000s, they have documented and celebrated the lives of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer and intersex communities. With over 260 photographs, this exhibition presents the full breadth of their career to date, including numerous self-portraits.
6th Jun-26th Jan
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Barbie®: The Exhibition, Design Museum
Following last year’s film of the summer starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the Design Museum will open an exhibition on the history of Barbie®. Three years in the making and opening to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the brand, it will explore the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls. Created in partnership with Mattel Inc, the museum has been granted special access to the extensive archives in California, and dozens of rare and unique items will go on show alongside other loans to tell the story of the iconic brand.
5th Jul-23rd Feb
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EVENTS
Meltdown Festival, Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre recently announced that iconic singer and musician Chaka Khan will be the 29th curator of its annual contemporary music festival, Meltdown. Coinciding with a celebration of Khan’s 50-year career, confirmed acts set to perform across the two-week festival include Mica Paris, Rahsaan Patterson, Judi Jackson and House Gospel Choir. Of course, Chaka Khan is also set to perform, alongside emerging artists in the R&B, soul and funk spaces.
14th-23rd Jun
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Hay Festival
This Welsh literary festival will bring together hundreds of speakers, writers and authors from across the world for a week of events and talks. In the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, guests can browse pop-up bookstores and watch numerous plays. Confirmed panel guests and speakers include Ruby Wax, Bryony Gordon, Lenny Henry, Elizabeth Day and wildlife photographer Hamza Yassin.
23rd May-2nd Jun
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Borde Hill Garden Festival, West Sussex
Borde Hill, the Grade II-listed garden set amongst 383 acres of heritage parkland in West Sussex will launch its inaugural garden festival this summer. Offering a great day out for families, friends and garden enthusiasts, the festival will include over 40 independent stalls with planters, garden furniture, lifestyle items and artisan accessories, alongside rare and unusual plants from national specialist nurseries. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music on the South Lawn, explore curated talks from leading garden designers and experts, and tuck into food from Sussex pop-ups.
22nd-23rd Jun
Book here
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