About Zoe Craig

Today’s the day you can break away from this winter of discontent and book tickets to see Richard III at the Old Vic; it’s sure to be the theatrical event of our glorious summer 2011.

A new musical by singer-songwriter Tori Amos, a new play by Mike Leigh and Simon Russell Beale playing Stalin are all part of the National Theatre’s plans for next year.

Go gooey over the Galanthus at the Chelsea Physic Garden next month.

David Farr’s production of King Lear, the last in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s current London season, is a mix of successes and failures. Despite excellent acting, there’s little light to be found in this perennially gloomy play…

Our top recommendation for this week is Sampled at Sadler’s Wells. But there’s more to life than dance! Find out about Hamlets closing, photography exhibitions opening and some cultural tips for little londonists in this week’s Arts Ahead…

A Spanish Henry VIII, an Italian Julius Caesar and a Tempest in Arabic: Être ou ne pas être? Shakespeare’s Globe is staging all 38 of the Bard’s plays in the summer of 2012, each in a different language.

Sculpture, two Swan Lakes, Scissor Sisters and Shakespeare: just some of the shows opening in London this week. Plus a few gentle reminders for things that are closing. Just so you don’t miss out.

As You Like It is one of the Bard’s comedies that ticks several Elizabethan mirth-making boxes; love at first sight, cross dressing, plain speaking fools and flirty freedoms when courtly townspeople head out to the countryside. Director Michael Boyd has added a dash of darkness to the proceedings too…

Filmmaking workshops, industry Q&As, films by some of the UK’s hottest young filmmakers and cult movies you’ve never seen on the big screen before. And all for just £5-£10. What’s the catch? You have to be aged between 15 and 25.

Here’s what’s new and what’s closing this week in London. There are a lot of things on our last chance to see list: make sure you don’t miss out!