Here are our tips for what's new and exciting in London this week...
Be There First: London Shows Opening
The National Theatre of Scotland's award-winning Black Watch returns to London tonight. The show, a challenging look at soldiers on the frontline and the reality of war, plays at the Barbican until 22 January. Also opening tonight is The Merry Wives of Windsor, a transfer from the Globe to Richmond Theatre; Midsummer at the Tricycle Theatre, a play about midnight trysts and the self-loathing that comes with a particular type of hangover... and three children's shows: Annie at the New Wimbledon Theatre, Peppa Pig's Party at the Criterion and My Dad's A Birdman at the Young Vic (with music by the Pet Shop Boys...)
Other offerings from London's theatres include tragedy in the RSC's Romeo and Juliet at the Roundhouse on Thursday, ventriloquism in Nina Conti's Talk To The Hand at the Soho Theatre and (probably) pure schmaltz in musical Love Story at the Duchess from Monday.
Or for kids, check out The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre or Beauty and the Beast at the National from tomorrow; Jack and the Beanstalk at the Hackney Empire from Thursday; Dick Whittington at the Lyric Hammersmith from Friday; or Mole In The Hole at the Unicorn Theatre from Saturday.
In the art world, today sees the start of Nicolas Provost at Haunch of Venison, showing art and films by the Belgian artist. GSK Contemporary opens at the Royal Academy of Arts on Thursday, and films by Dutch artist Manon de Boer come to the South London Gallery from Friday. Also from Friday, Albert Irvin's Complete Prints go on display at Kings Place.
This week promises an interesting new development at the Science Museum too. A new gallery, called atmosphere... exploring climate science will open on Saturday. Visit and you'll be able to examine our climate, how it works, and what the future holds. As well as a groovy hands-on gallery, you can also "see the key instruments used by today’s scientists, read reports on the latest climate science news, and dig deeper into the story of the science behind our changing climate." Exciting stuff.
Last Chance to See: London Shows Closing
Friday is your last chance to see Don Giovanni at the London Coliseum. A Dog's Heart closes at the London Coliseum on Saturday, as does The Merry Wives of Windsor at Richmond and Annie in Wimbledon.
Victoria & Albert: Art & Love comes to a close at the Queen's Gallery on Sunday. Enjoy!
Blackwatch photo by Manuel Harlan
