Arts Ahead 25 Mar-1 April

By Zoe Craig Last edited 180 months ago
Arts Ahead 25 Mar-1 April

0325_chessmen.jpeg
The Lewis Chessmen, probably made in Norway c. 1150-1200 AD; found on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. © The Trustees of the British Museum

Spring has sprung in London in inimitable sunshine-and-showers style. In response, London's arts scene has thrown up three Spring-titled events, and a whole lot more. Take your pick from the following:

Today is the opening of the new Medieval Gallery at the British Museum: they say, "paintings, jewellery and sculpture, with an emphasis on iconoclasm". We say, check out the amazingly cute little Lewis chessmen above...

Also starting today is the 23rd London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival at the BFI and other places. It opens with a gala screening of Karin Babinská's Dolls.

Jonathan Pryce is treading the Donmar's boards in Dimetos from today. The play, by South African playwright Athol Fugard, looks at moral decay in the modern world. Jez Butterworth's new comedy, Parlour Song, starring the brilliant Andrew Lincoln and Toby Jones opens at the Almeida tomorrow. As does the award-winning Spring Awakening in its transfer to the Novello Theatre. Yippee.

On a spring theme, Spring Dance, Sadler's Wells season at the London Coliseum starts today, with a celebration of all forms of dance, from ballet to Latin. First up, it's the American Ballet Theatre's Swan Lake. In contrast, Spring Loaded at The Place from Tuesday is a showcase of the UK's hottest young talent: expect hip-hop, mime, mirrors and more.

In the quirky corner, you can find The Robot Zoo at the Horniman Museum, and NoFit State Circus at the Roundhouse this week, both from Friday.

In the "take your parents / overseas visitors" drawer, we found a Great Bridges of the World photo exhibition in the high-level walkway of Tower Bridge, happily, from Friday.

Opening next Tuesday (also April Fool's day, incidentally) is a exploration of art, design and mental illness at London's Wellcome Collection. The Madness and Modernity exhibition looks at art and design from Vienna during Freud's era.

Baroque opera lovers are treated to a stunning double bill from next Tuesday. Purcell's Dido and Aeneas AND Handel's Acis and Galatea are both brought to you by the stunning double-act of The Royal Opera with The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House.

Last Chance

There are a few hot picks for your last-chancers in theatreland this week.

Catch Austentatious at the Landor before it closes on Saturday; our furry friends at Avenue Q are taking a break from Saturday (but "only for now!"); The Convict's Opera closes at the Rose Theatre on Saturday, as does The Tempest at Richmond. And Sunday is your last chance to ask "Where's My Desi Soulmate" at the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Friday is your final opportunity to see the exquisite jades and bronzes that make up the Treasures of Shanghai exhibition at the British Museum.

Sadler's Wells' Flamenco Festival finishes on Sunday. And the Magnificence of the Tsars exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum also closes this Sunday. Have fun!

Last Updated 25 March 2009