Things to do in London this Week
LIST: Things to do in London this weekend: the best cultural events, from scissorhands (Sadler's Wells) to space-travel (2001: A Space Odyssey)
From Conflict, Time Photography: Helmet with Skull Bone Fused by Atomic Bomb, Nagasaki 1963; Toshio Fukada
MAJOR EXHIBITION: Post Pop: East Meets West, Saatchi Gallery
Stand aside, Koons and Warhol: Pop Art's legacy isn’t confined to the West. This lurid exhibition offers a perspective on Russian and Chinese Pop. Delicate flowers, look away now.
GIG OF THE AUTUMN: Julia Holter, Barbican
Julia Holter is talented beyond belief. Her glorious voice, prestigious composition degree and experimental tendencies mean her live shows are weird and wonderful. With orchestral accompaniment from Berliners s t a r g a z e, this will be pretty special.
A VOGUE IDEA: Alexandra Shulman, Photographer’s Gallery
Wintour who? The British Vogue editor and OBE makes an appearance at the Photographer’s Gallery for an intelligent discussion of the fashion industry. Shulman will be joined by Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman i.e. real-life Carrie Bradshaw.
LANDMARK OPERA: Pelleas and Melisande, Royal Festival Hall
Debussy’s only opera gets a one-off staging at the Royal Festival Hall, performed by London Philharmonica under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen. With a stellar cast on board, this landmark 20th Century opera is in supremely capable hands.
TOP OF THE POP-UPS: Dram & Smoke, London Bridge
The highlands by way of London Bridge: keep the chill at bay with a wee dram of whiskey and gourmet Scottish delicacies. Haggis bonbons, butterscotch shortbread and venison wellington vie for your attention.
ICONIC MOVIE: 2001: A Space Odyssey, BFI Southbank
The best Sci-Fi film ever made graces British cinemas once again this winter. Seize the chance to see the re-release of Kubrick’s masterpiece, if only to identify where Nolan got it so wrong with Interstellar.
HIDDEN GEM: Visitors, Bush Theatre
Following a sellout run at the Arcola, this brilliant piece of new writing comes to the Bush Theatre. Dealing with love shattered by dementia, Barney Norris had Spencer and Billington fawning over him last year. Bring tissues.
FOR THE KIDS: Christmas at Kew, Kew Gardens
Our top festive family pick and the best place to meet Father Chritmas: this is the only winter wonderland we’re interested in. Along with appeased kids, chestnuts, spiced cider and mulled wine make it worth the schlep.
FIRM FAVOURITE: Edward Scissorhands, Sadler’s Wells
Wonderfully freaky ballet: Tim Burton’s macabre classic, as reworked by Mathew Bourne, returns to Sadler’ Wells this winter. Kid-friendly and wildly imaginative, this crowd-pleaser makes for a perfect Christmas outing.
VIOLIN SUPERSTAR: Kyung Wha Chung, Royal Festival Hall
It’s been ten years since the wonderfully expressive playing of Kyung Wha Chung filled London’s concert halls. The Korean megastar is back and, with the help of pianist Kevin Kenner, will turn her famous bow to a selection of sonatas.
CRUCIAL: Conflict, Time, Photography, Tate Modern
The Tate’s new photography exhibition is a stark look at the inhumanity of war, the traces it leaves behind and the days, decades and centuries that follow. A quiet marvel.
Stand aside, Koons and Warhol: Pop Art's legacy isn’t confined to the West. This lurid exhibition offers a perspective on Russian and Chinese Pop. Delicate flowers, look away now.
GIG OF THE AUTUMN: Julia Holter, Barbican
Julia Holter is talented beyond belief. Her glorious voice, prestigious composition degree and experimental tendencies mean her live shows are weird and wonderful. With orchestral accompaniment from Berliners s t a r g a z e, this will be pretty special.
A VOGUE IDEA: Alexandra Shulman, Photographer’s Gallery
Wintour who? The British Vogue editor and OBE makes an appearance at the Photographer’s Gallery for an intelligent discussion of the fashion industry. Shulman will be joined by Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman i.e. real-life Carrie Bradshaw.
LANDMARK OPERA: Pelleas and Melisande, Royal Festival Hall
Debussy’s only opera gets a one-off staging at the Royal Festival Hall, performed by London Philharmonica under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen. With a stellar cast on board, this landmark 20th Century opera is in supremely capable hands.
TOP OF THE POP-UPS: Dram & Smoke, London Bridge
The highlands by way of London Bridge: keep the chill at bay with a wee dram of whiskey and gourmet Scottish delicacies. Haggis bonbons, butterscotch shortbread and venison wellington vie for your attention.
ICONIC MOVIE: 2001: A Space Odyssey, BFI Southbank
The best Sci-Fi film ever made graces British cinemas once again this winter. Seize the chance to see the re-release of Kubrick’s masterpiece, if only to identify where Nolan got it so wrong with Interstellar.
HIDDEN GEM: Visitors, Bush Theatre
Following a sellout run at the Arcola, this brilliant piece of new writing comes to the Bush Theatre. Dealing with love shattered by dementia, Barney Norris had Spencer and Billington fawning over him last year. Bring tissues.
FOR THE KIDS: Christmas at Kew, Kew Gardens
Our top festive family pick and the best place to meet Father Chritmas: this is the only winter wonderland we’re interested in. Along with appeased kids, chestnuts, spiced cider and mulled wine make it worth the schlep.
FIRM FAVOURITE: Edward Scissorhands, Sadler’s Wells
Wonderfully freaky ballet: Tim Burton’s macabre classic, as reworked by Mathew Bourne, returns to Sadler’ Wells this winter. Kid-friendly and wildly imaginative, this crowd-pleaser makes for a perfect Christmas outing.
VIOLIN SUPERSTAR: Kyung Wha Chung, Royal Festival Hall
It’s been ten years since the wonderfully expressive playing of Kyung Wha Chung filled London’s concert halls. The Korean megastar is back and, with the help of pianist Kevin Kenner, will turn her famous bow to a selection of sonatas.
CRUCIAL: Conflict, Time, Photography, Tate Modern
The Tate’s new photography exhibition is a stark look at the inhumanity of war, the traces it leaves behind and the days, decades and centuries that follow. A quiet marvel.
TRY CULTURE WHISPER
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