Be there first
Circus-style theatre comes to London in Afrika! Afrika! opening this week after heavy advertising which has been around for months. Performers from 17 different African nations make up the show; contortionists, acrobatics, jugglers, high-wire acts, musicians, singers, the list goes on. If you're thinking of joining the reported 1.5 million who've seen the show since it launched in Germany in 2005, bear in mind: ticket prices are up with the high wire acts, at around the £50 mark.
Been snapping away with the new digital camera you got for Christmas, and aren't sure which abstract, blurred pictures of empty bottles, half-eaten Christmas cake and shoes bought in the sale constitute 'art'? Compare and contrast with Andy Warhol's snaps at the Timothy Taylor Gallery. He's taken pictures of dog-food, toilets, chairs, shirts, teacups, drunks, pigeons, toys and sausages.
Opening this week
Edward Bond's Edwardian social satire, The Sea starring Eileen Aitkins and David Haig. The Royal Ballet head to Ancient Greece as Sylvia opens on Friday. And one man brings the history, the violence, the loyalty and the stories of 'La Cosa Nostra' to the London stage in An Audience with the Mafia.
Last chance
As panto stars fade into obscurity for another year (Stephen Fry's Cinderella ( is squeezing out just a few more midnight deadlines), so too the festive ballets are hanging up their Christmas pointes. You've got a few days left to catch Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker and the English National Ballet's Swan Lake
Louise Bourgeois' major showcase at the Tate finishes this week. Spiders, latex and images of childhood from one of the longest artistic careers ever - get there before Sunday.
And Finally...
Planning to catch Christian Slater chewing up both the scenery and his hapless assistants as Buddy Ackerman in Swimming with Sharks at the Vaudeville? Get in there quick: he and Helen Baxendale will be doing final performances on Saturday.
If all this going out to see expensive, energetic shows feels a bit much this week, you can always hibernate at the fantastic Roxy Cinema instead. In the week No Country For Old Men is released to tantalising reviews, watch some of the Coen brothers' fine earlier work in a double bill. The Big Lebowski starts at 5pm, followed by Fargo at 8pm. Hours of fun for just £3. See you there.
We know what you're thinking: there just aren't enough hours in the day, right? Try telling that to the British Museum. Their acclaimed First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army exhibition has just announced it's opening until midnight (last entry 22.50) from Thursday to Sunday, and from 09.00 on Saturdays and Sundays. So you've got no excuse.
By Zoe Griffiths
