Straight White Men
They are feared, envied, occasionally attacked and derided. But pitied?
When personal identity is essential and privilege is a problem, what is a straight white man to do?
Straight White Men takes place over the Christmas holidays, when three brothers assemble at the family home, to celebrate the season with their widowed father Ed.
Games are played. Chinese food is ordered. Brotherly pranks and trash talk distract them from the issue that threatens to ruin the testosterone-fuelled, boys-will-be-boys celebration.
But, and here is the twist, the people in charge of proceedings are neither straight, nor white, nor male…
Until December 4
Southwark Playhouse
London Grads Now. 21
Initially conceived in 2020 as a response to the unprecedented cancellation of degree shows around the capital, the second edition aims to support and highlight emerging artists of today and features fresh work from over 200 MA graduates of seven leading London art schools, all under one roof.
All the proceeds from sales of artworks are retained by the artists.
The major exhibition presents a survey of London’s new emerging art scene, with new works selected, spanning moving image, assemblage, installation, performance, painting, sculpture, photography, and drawing.
It presents a survey of London’s new emerging art scene and addresses meaningful dialogues of today.
Until January 16
Saatchi Gallery
Evening with the Stars
Visit the Observatory after-hours and see the moon, planets and constellations through the 18-tonne Great Equatorial Telescope.
Visitors will also enjoy a show at the Peter Harrison Planetarium during this celestial evening at the Royal Observatory.
November 19 to 20
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
The Valkyrie
The seeds of a final apocalypse are sown in Wagner’s epic opera as the earth is plunged into conflict by scheming Gods in their search for power.
Set against the rich landscape of Norse mythology, a man pursued and a woman in love create a devastating dispute between father and daughter.
Richard Jones returns to ENO to direct this gripping new production of Wagner’s The Valkyrie, following his Olivier Award-winning staging of The Mastersingers of Nuremberg.
November 19 to December 10
London Coliseum
Measure for Measure
A new production of Measure for Measure, Shakespeare’s darkest comedy, comes to light in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Britain is a nation on a knife-edge. Increasing inflation, surging unemployment, an energy catastrophe, identity crisis and persistent political scandal. It’s 1975.
In London, the Duke abandons the unravelling city, leaving authoritarian Angelo in power. When he starts policing sexual freedom, Isabella is drawn from the safe space of her convent to rescue her brother from death under the new laws. Only his freedom comes at a price: her.
What is she – and society – willing to lose in the fight for justice?
November 19 to January 15
The Globe
Stephen K Amos
Back in January 2020 (remember that?), Stephen K Amos was all set to usher in a new decade with a brand-new tour. Since then, however… well…
But now, the offer still stands! Yes, it may be nearly two years later than planned – but who cares? How would you feel about joining Stephen for a beautiful night of fun, laughter and putting the world to rights? Or more importantly, how could you refuse!
November 20
Blackheath Halls
Cutty Sark Birthday Weekend
Celebrate Cutty Sark’s birthday this year with an afternoon of sea shanties and more on board the ship. Free tickets are available for young people from Greenwich aged 16-25 to enjoy the festivities.
November 20
Cutty Sark
Chicago
CHICAGO, the “sexiest musical ever”, is back at the Churchill Theatre Bromley for one week only starring Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart, international recording artist and pop star Sinitta as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton, West End and TV star Darren Day as Billy Flynn.
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her.
Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines.
November 22 to 27
Churchill Theatre
Roy’s Art Fair
The UK’s biggest free entranced art fair, with over 75 diverse and talented artists, is a great introduction to buying art as well as a collectors dream due to the opportunity to view and speak to so many artists all under the same roof.
There will be a schedule of live art in our foyer for all to experience the method and approach of the artist and vintage event bars will be shaking up cocktails and drinks all weekend.
The Doodle Room returns to entertain children and adults alike.
November 25 to 28
Bargehouse
The Tempest
The stranger and his daughter live alone on a remote island.
Some people say he’s an artist. Others say he practises magic. But today is different. Prospero spots his oldest enemies passing close by in a fragile boat, and he conjures up a storm that will change all of their lives forever.
The Tempest opened in March 2020 to critical acclaim but was cut short after just six performances. Eighteen months later, it sets sail again with Michael Pennington, one of the foremost Shakespearean actors of his generation, finally donning Prospero’s cloak once more.
Artistic Director Tom Littler reunites the original cast for a magical voyage.
November 25 to December 22
Jermyn Street Theatre
Lubaina Himid
This large-scale exhibition will debut recent work and include selected highlights from Lubaina Himid’s influential career.
Taking inspiration from her interest in theatre, the exhibition will unfold in a sequence of scenes designed to place visitors centre-stage and backstage.
Initially trained in theatre design, Himid is known for her innovative approaches to painting and to social engagement.
She has been pivotal in the UK since the 1980s for her contributions to the British Black arts movement, making space for the expression and recognition of Black experience and women’s creativity.
November 25 to July 3
Tate Modern
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