Arts Ahead: What's On In London 19-25 April

By Zoe Craig Last edited 155 months ago
Arts Ahead: What's On In London 19-25 April

Here's our pick of the exciting shows opening (and closing) in London during the run-up to Easter

Be There First: London Shows Opening

Our top exhibition pick, unsurprisingly, is Hand-Drawn London at the Museum of London from Thursday. Elsewhere, the British Museum's Australian Season opens with a collaboration with Kew Gardens, celebrating the continent's rich biodiversity and high numbers of endemics. (Did you know 90% of Australian plants are ONLY found in Australia?) Look out for swathes of colourful Swan River daisies and Rhodanthe (Everlastings) transforming the BM's fantastic forecourt.

And there are two top free exhibitions for social history fans opening on Friday: Let the Eat Cake at the Wellington Arch explores royal wedding cakes and cake designs through the ages, while Museum of 1951 brings art, design and memorabilia relating to the 1951 Festival of Britain to the Royal Festival Hall. Look out for "Patchwork of the Century", a restored work by designer Abram Games.

In art, from Wednesday Paul Graham's photography goes on show at Whitechapel Gallery. If you're a real fan of the artist, you can see more of his work at the Anthony Reynolds gallery from Thursday. Another top art recommendation this week is Barbara Kruger: The Globe Shrinks at Spruth Magers at Francis Street, a new (free) video installation by the influential American artist.

Dance fans can see Kenneth MacMillan's 20th-century masterpiece Manon at the Royal Opera House from Thursday.

If you've got little Londonists you want to take to the theatre, there's lots to see: David Wood's Storytime is at the Arts Theatre from tonight; The Fabulous Flutterbys comes to the Rose in Kingston from tonight; and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is at the New Wimbledon Theatre also from tonight.

An unusual new musical called Glorious opens at the Barbican tonight. Tomorrow, The Vaudevillains bring murder to the music hall at the Charing Cross Theatre. Thursday sees the opening night of Sold at Theatre 503 (a biting comedy about property sales). And on Friday Tender Napalm, a new play by Philip Ridley opens at the Southwark Playhouse.

Last Chance to See: London Shows Closing

Corrie! closes at Richmond Theatre on Saturday, as does Hamlet at the National Theatre, The Kissing-Dance at the Jermyn Street Theatre, Little Elephant at the Polka Theatre, and Tango Fire – Flames of Desire at the Peacock.

Last Updated 19 April 2011