Marlene Dietrich, New York, 1948. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Gift of Irving Penn© Condé Nast Publications, Inc.
Be There First: London Shows Opening
Opening tomorrow is Billy Childish "Unknowable but Certain" at the ICA. Or, check out the 100-strong designs in seven categories at the Brit Insurance Designs of the Year exhibition, open at the Design Museum from tomorrow.
More cool design comes to the capital at the Barbican this week: Ron Arad's Restless opens on Thursday, and looks like lots of fun. Just don't call it design art. You can also see Irving Penn Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery on Thursday. Finally, Michelangelo's Dream sounds great at the Courtauld Gallery: The Dream, displayed alongside related drawings, letters and poetry by the man himself and his mates.
There's lots of fight in this week's theatre choices. David Greig's new play, Dunsinane, about the struggle for power in 11th-century Scotland opens at the Hamstead Theatre tomorrow. Thursday sees conflict, violence and women in a double bill of Clam and Honey/Baby at the White Bear. And Off The Endz, a play about three 20-somethings trying to fight the system, opens at the Royal Court on Friday.
If you'd like something a little gentler for little londonists currently enjoying half-term, there's The Forest at Sadler's Wells on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week; Charlie and Lola's Best Bestest Play at the Polka, also from Wednesday; and a Twelfth Night for younger audiences at the National from tonight.
Last Chance to See: London Shows Closing
Lots of theatre shows coming to a close this week. Every Good Boy Deserves Favour closes at the National Theatre tomorrow, as does Cosi Van Tutte at the Royal Opera House. Greta Garbo Came to Donegal at the Tricycle, The Hostage at the Southwark Playhouse, Three Sisters at the Lyric Hammersmith, and Slaves at 503 all close on Saturday. Defending the Caveman with Mark "Neighbours" Little closes at the Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday.
Dance fans should know the Moscow City Ballet pirouette out of town on Saturday.
Finally, the red lights go off on Amsterdam's most famous district as Kienholz: The Hoerengracht closes at the National Gallery on Sunday. Enjoy!
