Culture vultures rejoice! Theatres, cinemas, pop arenas, concert halls and galleries reopen on Monday— and what a feast of entertainment they’ve got in store.
From Dua Lipa’s tour, Emma Stone’s deliciously evil Cruella de Vil on the big screen and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new Cinderella, to a David Hockney exhibition and Ricky Gervais’s comedy show, there is something for everyone.
Here the Mail’s critics round up the best shows around the country…
Film
See Brian Viner’s movie reviews for the latest releases.
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
Beatrix Potter purists may not have loved the first Peter Rabbit in 2018, but it struck 24-carrot gold at the box office.
And hit children’s films always get sequels these days. This one again has a voice cast led by James Corden and Margot Robbie, with Rose Byrne and Domhnall Gleeson reprising their live-action roles. From May 17.
25 years after Disney brought Cruella de Vil to menacing life in the form of Glenn Close, the dog-hating socialite is played by Emma Stone
My New York Year
Sigourney Weaver plays the hidebound literary agent of reclusive author J.D. Salinger, with Margaret Qualley (Andie MacDowell’s daughter) as the new office assistant given the seemingly thankless job of replying to Salinger’s fan mail. Based on a true story, it opened last year’s Berlin Film Festival to considerable acclaim. From May 21.
Cruella
In her 1956 book The Hundred And One Dalmatians, Dodie Smith created one of the most enduring villains in children’s literature. Now, 25 years after Disney brought Cruella de Vil to menacing life in the form of Glenn Close, the dog-hating socialite is played by Emma Stone. From May 28.
A Quiet Place II: John Krasinski writes and directs this sequel to one of the surprise smashes of 2018, his gripping horror-thriller about an alien invasion
Beatrix Potter purists may not have loved the first Peter Rabbit in 2018, but it struck 24-carrot gold at the box office. And hit children’s films always get sequels these days
Dream Horse
We can expect a classic British feelgood movie in the spirit of Calendar Girls and The Full Monty in this against-the-odds true story of a group of Welsh villagers who chip in to help the barmaid at their local pub train a racehorse, which is entered for the Welsh Grand National. Toni Collette and Damian Lewis star. From June 4.
A Quiet Place II
John Krasinski writes and directs this sequel to one of the surprise smashes of 2018, his gripping horror-thriller about an alien invasion. This one again stars his real-life wife Emily Blunt (above with Noah Jupe). From June 4.
Brian Viner
Theatre
Frozen The West End premiere of the musical based on the film that’s tortured parents since 2013 sees Michael Grandage direct Samantha Barks as Elsa (above)
Les Miserables — The Staged Concert
After all we’ve been through, it seems fitting that Les Mis should be one of the first West End shows out of the blocks. It’s likely to blow the roof off with its big emotional belters as Jon Robyns returns to sing square-jawed hero Jean Valjean and Bradley Jaden takes on his nemesis Javert. The full show will call us to the barricades from September 25. Until then, hear the people sing! Sondheim Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, staged concert May 20-September 5 (lesmis.com).
Cinderella
Actress, author and singer-songwriter Carrie Hope Fletcher is Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical, adapted by Killing Eve co-writer Emerald Fennell. Gillian Lynne Theatre, Drury Lane, previews from June 25, opens July 14 (andrew lloydwebberscinderella.com).
South Pacific
The Rodgers & Hammerstein musical about wartime American sailors with itchy feet stars Gina Beck, Julian Ovenden, Joanna Ampil, Keir Charles and Rob Houchen. The glimmering score includes such numbers as Some Enchanted Evening and I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair. Directed by Chichester’s musical maestro, Daniel Evans. Festival Theatre, Chichester, July 5-September 4 (cft.org.uk).
Anything Goes
A musical shot in the arm that could do us all a great deal of good, this one has nightclub singer Reno Sweeney aboard a London-bound ocean liner, with veteran showman Robert Lindsay. Also starring Felicity Kendal and Gary Wilmot. Cole Porter’s cracking songs include the title number and I Get A Kick Out Of You. Barbican Theatre, London, July 23-October 17 (barbican.org.uk).
Frozen
The West End premiere of the musical based on the film that’s tortured parents since 2013 sees Michael Grandage direct Samantha Barks as Elsa, Stephanie McKeon as Anna, Obioma Ugoala as Kristoff, Craig Gallivan as Olaf, Oliver Ormson as Hans and Richard Frame as Weselton, in the Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez musical. Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London, previewing from August 27 (frozenthemusical.co.uk).
Love Letters
It opened and closed just before Christmas. Now A.R. Gurney’s play is back, again starring Jenny Seagrove and Martin Shaw as an imaginary heiress and American politician exchanging letters over 50 years as they pass from childhood to old age. Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, May 19-June 13 (trh.co.uk).
Walden
Gemma Arterton stars in Amy Berryman’s debut play about a NASA botanist returning from a lunar mission to pick up the pieces of a broken relationship with her twin sister. Directed by Ian Rickson as part of a mini season of three new plays. Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London, May 22-June 12 (0844 871 7622/atgtickets.com).
Under Milk Wood
Michael Sheen and co wind their way through Dylan Thomas’s wonderful rhyming hymn to a sleepy Cymru fishing village. Also starring Karl Johnson and Siân Phillips, it’s performed in-the-round at the Olivier Theatre reconfigured for social distancing. National Theatre, South Bank, London, June 16-July 24 (nationaltheatre.org.uk).
Hamlet
Fearless 81-year-old Sir Ian McKellen plays Shakespeare’s twentysomething Dane, one of the biggest and most challenging roles in the theatrical rep-ertoire. Watch out for other magnificent veterans including Francesca Annis (76 next month), Steven Berkoff (83) and Jenny Seagrove (63). Theatre Royal, Windsor, June 21-September 4 (theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/ 01753 853 888).
Patrick Marmion
Music- Rock and pop
Rag ’N’ Bone Man
Brighton’s tattooed soul star Rag’n’Bone Man is ready to hit the road. With his diverse new album Life By Misadventure set to top the charts today, he plays Kenwood House, London, on June 25. Further summer shows will be followed by an extensive autumn tour, which starts on October 17 at the Brighton Centre and finishes at London’s Even- tim Apollo on November 6 (ragnboneman.com).
James Blunt
The You’re Beautiful hitmaker (pictured) will be the first singer to play a full-capacity show at the Royal Albert Hall since March 2020 when he takes to the famous stage on July 6. Blunt’s acoustic 2019 album the emotional Once Upon A Mind, a record that should feature prominently at the Royal Albert Hall gig and dates in Bournemouth and Tunbridge Wells (jamesblunt.com).
The You’re Beautiful hitmaker (pictured) will be the first singer to play a full-capacity show at the Royal Albert Hall since March 2020
Latitude Festival
This year’s festival season has been decimated by the pandemic, but a handful of high-profile summer regulars remain. Among these are the unashamedly middle-class Latitude Festival, in the grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk, between July 22 and 25. This year’s headliners are Bastille, Snow Patrol and the talented Stockholm sister act First Aid Kit (latitudefestival.com).
Hampton Court Palace Festival
The multi-evening event is being staged in August, with Van Morrison opening proceedings against the stunning backdrop of Henry VIII’s Tudor Palace on the 13th. Other headliners include Tom Jones, who plays on August 21, 23 and 24 and might slip in tunes from his excellent new album, Surrounded By Time (hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com).
Eagles
The American veterans will be checking in at the Hotel California, one of the best-selling albums of all time, when they play two nights at Wembley Stadium on August 28 and 29. Long-standing members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit will be joined on stage by Vince Gill and Deacon Frey (the son of late Eagle Glenn Frey) (livenation.co.uk).
Dua Lipa
The queen of this year’s BRITs finally gets to play last year’s all-conquering Future Nostalgia album live when she starts a UK tour at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, on September 10 (dualipa.com).
Alanis Morisette
Dubbed the queen of the confessional, the Canadian singer recently released her ninth album, Such Pretty Forks In The Road, but fans can also expect to hear old favourites such as Hand In My Pocket when she starts a tour at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham, on October 18, (livenation.co.uk).
Adrian Thrills
Dua Lipa is pictured above. The queen of this year’s BRITs finally gets to play last year’s all-conquering Future Nostalgia album live when she starts a UK tour at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Galleries
Challenging Convention
Gwen John is the understated star of this exhibition, which showcases the work of four women artists setting out to succeed in a male-dominated world. Vanessa Bell is the weakest link, Dod Procter the big surprise, and Laura Knight is always impressive. Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, May 17–August 21.
Gwen’s more famous brother, Augustus, was a dazzling society portrait painter who made a cult of his bohemian life, gypsy caravan and all
The Last Bohemian: Augustus John
Gwen’s more famous brother, Augustus, was a dazzling society portrait painter who made a cult of his bohemian life, gypsy caravan and all.
He could shock, and Lord Leverhulme cut the head out of his own portrait.
Repaired, it is a highlight in this chance to re-assess the achievement of a flamboyant artist.
Lady Lever Art Gallery, Liverpool, May 18–August 30.
Thomas Becket. Murder And The Making Of A Saint
Becket’s murder in 1170 horrified the world. Within three years he was a saint, after countless miracles were witnessed at his Canterbury tomb. Throughout Europe he was commemorated in sculptures, paintings and jewelled reliquaries, and a lavish array of them is on view in this enthralling and moving exhibition. British Museum, May 20–August 22.
Alice: Curiouser And Curiouser
We’ll always have Alice. The story of her Adventures In Wonderland is traced over 157 years in this colourful exhibition, from a tale told on a child’s river trip to the global phenomenon it became. It’s quite surreal really, a quality in the book that inspired no less than Salvador Dalí as well as cartoons, fashions, films, posters and ballets. Victoria & Albert Museum, London, from May 22.
David Hockney: The Arrival Of Spring, Normandy, 2020
Hockney was stuck in Normandy for the pandemic and has never enjoyed himself so much, rediscovering the joys of spring in a feast of colour to rival the Impressionists. The paintings are created on a specially programmed iPad and enlarged. His eye and technique are so sure that it works superbly. Royal Academy of Arts, May 23–September 26.
Robin Simon
Comedy
Ricky Gervais — Supernature: No one can command an arena better
Ricky Gervais — Supernature
No one can command an arena better. With his pint-holding waddle and vicious, hilarious philosophical musings, he’s long been good enough and successful enough not to give a damn. Netflix have already snapped up the streaming rights and this world tour is fast selling out. Starts in Leeds on June 19.
Janey Godley’s Soup Pot Tour
A lockdown highlight was Godley’s viral voiceover videos dubbing over First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at her Covid briefings. Expect more of them from Scotland’s Queen of Comedy. From October 2 (janeygodley.com).
Katherine Ryan, Missus
The star of almost every panel show on TV (as well as her hit Netflix series The Duchess) has already had to squeeze in more dates. From a textual analysis of Beyoncé performances to the topics of abortion, divorce and working in Hooters, Ryan’s shows are shockingly well-observed. This is Joan Rivers incarnate and therefore unmissable, but she’s not for the faint-hearted. UK tour starts September 2 in Crawley.
Daniel Sloss, Hubris
One of those comics whose shows really are shows. Effortlessly funny, but with a pleasing thread and overarching argument. Usually to do with masculinity and its foibles. Think of a TED Talk but with an unsettling darkness and more jokes about genitals. Tour continues May 23 in Leeds (danielsloss.com).
The Comedy Store, London
The iconic home of funny improv starring Paul Merton and Josie Lawrence reopens on July 8. It’s a sweaty, cramped basement that feels illegal anyway. Their ‘open mic’ show, King Gong, is the most jaw-achingly brutal evening where have-a-gos from the audience are viciously judged. Grab a place (london.thecomedystore.co.uk).
Luke Jones
Opera and classical
Mozart: Le Clemenza Di Tito
New production of Mozart’s penultimate opera, a serious tale that ends well as Emperor Titus forgives conspirators against him. Full of gorgeous arias and duets, with memorable solo opportunities for Covent Garden’s woodwind players, especially clarinets and basset horns. Royal Opera House, May 17–23 (roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events).
Gilbert & Sullivan Festival
The highlight is the incomparable Simon Butteriss as Bunthorne in Patience. He also performs The Diary Of A Nobody. Buxton Opera House is more sympathetic than the Royal Hall, Harrogate, though Frank Matcham designed both. Buxton July 31–August 7 (buxtonoperahouse.org.uk), Harrogate August 8–18 (gsfestivals.org).
Janacek: Katya Kabanova
A great Czech composer tackles a Russian subject, as the story of the tragic Katya is played out against the brooding background of the River Volga. Her plight is made worse by one of the ghastliest operatic mothers-in-law. Glyndebourne Festival Opera, May 20–June 19 (glyndebourne.com).
London Symphony Orchestra
The BBC Proms will not start until July 30 and details will not be available until May 27, but the LSO has been quicker off the mark. Barbican concerts in London are selling out, due to social distancing, but it will be well worth trying for returned tickets (lso.co.uk).
Hallé Orchestra, Manchester
The Hallé under conductor Sir Mark Elder has some attractive concerts from June 3 — including Glinka’s Overture Russlan And Ludmilla, Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Elgar’s Enigma Variations — at the Bridgewater Hall. The brilliant young Norwegian Tabita Berglund conducts Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll and Beethoven’s Seventh on June 17 (halle.co.uk/whats-on).
Tully Potter