Arts Ahead: What's On In London 22-28 June

By Zoe Craig Last edited 165 months ago
Arts Ahead: What's On In London 22-28 June

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Harry by Michael Gaskell. One of the shortlisted works for the BP Portrait Award 2010
Here's what Londony culturey things will distract you from the footie this week.

London Shows Opening: Be There First

It's all kicking off in the art world this week. There's the BP Portrait Award opening on Thursday at the National Portrait Gallery, Wolfgang Tillmans' London-inspired art at the Serpentine Gallery from Saturday, and Fiona Banner's Duveens Commission will be unveiled at Tate Britain on Monday.

And it's busy for theatre fans too. Welcome to Thebes opens at the National tonight: it's the tale of an encounter between the world's richest and poorest countries, so a welcome change to the World Cup... oh, wait... The 2010 London section of the Bridge Project kicks off this week, with As You Like It and The Tempest both opening at the Old Vic tomorrow. In addition, you can see a contemporary production of Oscar Wilde's Salome at Hampstead Theatre from Thursday, and that freakishly scary Ghost Stories transfers to the Duke of York's Theatre in the West End from Friday.

This week's opera of choice is Mozart's Zaide, performed by the Classical Opera Company at Sadler's Wells from Thursday to Saturday.

If you're looking for something different, we suggest Bourgeois & Maurice: Shedding Skin at the Soho Theatre from Monday, described thus: "part-cabaret, part-theatre, part-catwalk freakshow".

Last Chance to See: London Shows Closing

Saturday is your last chance to see Ditch at the Old Vic Tunnels, The Fantasticks at the Duchess Theatre, Sus at Young Vic and Paradise Found at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Bounce's Insane In The Brain leaves the Peacock Theatre on Sunday, the same day as Macbeth does his last bit of king-killing at Shakespeare's Globe.

And the one art show we wanted to give you a head's up about not missing is Ronald Wright Flesh: The Great Illusion at the Schwartz Gallery. It closes on Sunday. If there's anything else we've missed, let us know in the comments below.

Last Updated 22 June 2010