Theatre, by Clive Davis
Dear England
Updated to take account of the end of Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England football manager, James Graham’s love letter to the beautiful game has enticed a new audience into the theatre. A national tour awaits in the autumn.
The Lowry, Salford, to Jun 29, thelowry.com
Hercules
The Disney megabucks machine recycles the jaunty animated film that captivated young audiences nearly 30 years ago. Alan Menken and David Zippel provide the songs; Luke Brady plays the musclebound hero.
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, from Jun 6, herculesthemusical.co.uk (ages 6+)
Evita
Jamie Lloyd — the ultra-hip director behind last year’s stripped-down, video-driven Sunset Boulevard —— turns his attention to another Lloyd Webber epic. The American star Rachel Zegler takes the title role.
London Palladium, Jun 14-Sep 6, evitathemusical.com
West End Live
The free daytime musical showcase celebrates its 20th birthday. A chance to catch extracts of the best shows around, from that mischievous Second World War tale Operation Mincemeat to the magnificent folk opera Hadestown.
Trafalgar Square, London, Jun 21-22, westendlive.co.uk
Till the Stars Come Down
Beth Steel’s account of high jinks at a boozy wedding party in red wall country was one of the National Theatre’s big successes of last year. Its West End transfer will be essential viewing.
Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, Jul 1-Sep 27, tillthestarscomedown.com
Pirates of the Carabina: Counterweight
The open-air venue blessed with perhaps the most picturesque backdrop in the country — it sits right above the waves near Land’s End — plays host to the comic high-wire act with a taste for the absurd.
Minack Theatre, Cornwall, Jun 16-19, minack.com
Top Hat
This should be just as much fun as Chichester’s recent Gershwin revival, Crazy for You. The veteran Broadway director Kathleen Marshall delivers her take on the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers-Irving Berlin classic.
Chichester Festival Theatre, Jul 14-Sep 6, cft.org.uk
The Railway Children
All aboard for Bradford 2025 City of Culture’s revival of the classic children’s tale, staged on the same line used in the 1970 film. After a steam train ride, audiences will watch the show in an adapted engine shed.
Keighley & Oxenhope stations, West Yorkshire, Jul 15-Sep 7, bradford2025.co.uk
Make It Happen
The ultra-prolific James Graham strikes again at the Edinburgh International Festival, this time with a satirical account of one of the biggest financial scandals of our times: the fall of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Brian Cox will be making an appearance as the godfather of modern capitalism, Adam Smith.
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Jul 30-Aug 9, eif.co.uk. Previewing at Dundee Rep, Jul 18-26, dundeerep.co.uk
Pop, by Will Hodgkinson
Isle of Wight
This is the spiritual home of the festival dad, with Sting, Supergrass and Stereophonics all on the bill. It is also a friendly family affair, not least because the Eurovision disasters Remember Monday and Mae Muller are both appearing.
Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight, Jun 19-22, isleofwightfestival.com
Olivia Rodrigo
The former child star Olivia Rodrigo became a Gen Z phenomenon with the teary break-up anthem Drivers License. Now she is one of the biggest stars on the planet, reviving Noughties pop-punk with perky rebelliousness.
BST Hyde Park, London, Jun 27, bst-hydepark.com
Lana del Rey
The reigning queen of exquisite misery has become a bona fide stadium star. Expect Summertime Sadness, Video Games and other moody classics as hordes of teenage girls sing along to every word.
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Jun 23; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Jun 26; Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, Jun 28; Wembley Stadium, London, Jul 3-4
Neil Young
Missing Neil Young at Glastonbury? No problem. Everybody’s favourite hippy will be blasting out Heart of Gold, Helpless and more mellow classics across London, with his fellow boomers Cat Stevens and Van Morrison also grooving away.
BST Hyde Park, London, Jul 11, bst-hydepark.com
The Sex Pistols
What once was anarchic is now nostalgic as the surviving members of the Sex Pistols — sans their estranged frontman, John Lydon — team up with Frank Carter for a punk jamboree at the fun fair.
Dreamland, Margate, Aug 23, dreamland.co.uk
Film, by Kevin Maher
Sheffield Doc Fest
This world-class documentary festival has 116 international titles, including a world premiere from the Oscar-winning team that made 20 Days in Mariupol. Called 2000 Meters to Andriivka, it follows a harrowing tour with a battle-hardened Ukrainian platoon.
Various venues, Sheffield, Jun 18-23, sheffdocfest.com
28 Years Later
It’s not quite 28 years since the first Danny Boyle-directed zombie movie 28 Days Later (2002), but time has been kind to a franchise that, inevitably, has acquired a post-Covid frisson. Ralph Fiennes and Jodie Comer star. Another instalment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, has already been shot.
In cinemas from Jun 20
Adventure Cinema
Time for picnic blankets, prosecco and optional waterproofs. This travelling festival of outdoor cinema includes, for instance, a Greatest Showman singalong in Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge, in July and a Mamma Mia!-inspired “extrABBAganza” in Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, in August.
adventurecinema.co.uk
Superman
This is the third attempt at rebooting the Man of Steel since the Christopher Reeve era. And while Brandon Routh had the charm and Henry Cavill the muscles, the emphasis here is on the maverick director James Gunn, who aims to bring some of his Guardians of the Galaxy anarchy to an occasionally stodgy superhero.
In cinemas from Jul 11
Materialists
Celine Song, the Oscar-nominated writer-director of the love-triangle tearjerker Past Lives, returns with another eagerly awaited movie. And it’s, yes, a love-triangle tearjerker, this time starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. Bring hankies.
In cinemas from Aug 15
Visual art, by Nancy Durrant
Little Sparta
For a true immersive experience it’s hard to beat the Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay’s greatest artwork Little Sparta, a sprawling installation spanning seven acres of moorland in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh. Inspiring, magical, heavenly.
Little Sparta, Lanark, to Sep 30, littlesparta.org.uk
Anna Boghiguian: The Sunken Boat
Subtitled A glimpse into past histories, this large-scale installation combines painting, drawing, collage, paper-mâché, glass, bronze and fabric, and is inspired by the landscape and history of Margate.
Turner Contemporary, Margate, Jun 14-Oct 26, turnercontemporary.org
Summer Exhibition
It comes round every year, and every year we flock to it to be surprised, amused, confused, inspired and incredulous. The Summer Exhibition, held every year since 1769, is always a slightly chaotic pleasure.
Royal Academy of Arts, London, Jun 17-Aug 17, royalacademy.org.uk
William Kentridge: The Pull of Gravity
This indoor and outdoor show focuses for the first time on William Kentridge’s sculpture and will comprise more than 40 works tracing his embrace of the form, taking drawing into three dimensions and developing from puppetry, film and stage props.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, Jun 28-Apr 19, 2026, ysp.org.uk
Sculpture in the Park
Outdoor sculptures by Sarah Lucas, Larry Achiampong and Permindar Kaur are a perfect addition to Compton Verney’s 120 acres. Add world-class exhibitions (Emma Talbot’s show opens July 5) and you’ve got a fabulous day out.
Compton Verney, Warwickshire, comptonverney.org.uk
Rachel Whiteread
The Turner prizewinner’s indoor and outdoor exhibition headlines the opening season of the new Goodwood Art Foundation, an expansion and reimagining of the former Cass Sculpture Park, with additional work by Isamu Noguchi, Veronica Ryan and more.
Goodwood Art Foundation, Chichester, to Nov 2, goodwoodartfoundation.org
Lindsey Mendick: Wicked Game
This large-scale, site-specific installation from the buzzy young artist will explore Queen Elizabeth I’s relationship with her courtier and suitor Robert Dudley and her strategies for maintaining power while all about her were trying to marry her off.
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, Jul 9-Oct 31, english-heritage.org.uk
Family events
Elio
Pixar returns with a space-set adventure about an eccentric child, Elio (Yonas Kibreab), who becomes an accidental ambassador for a bellicose intergalactic species. It’s really, however, and in true Pixar style, about family, childhood loneliness and becoming who you’re meant to be.
In cinemas from Jun 20
The Boy with Wings
The renaissance man Lenny Henry joined the list of VIP children’s authors with his adventure novel, published in 2021. His story of a boy, Tunde, who becomes an intergalactic superhero comes to the stage in an adaptation by Arvind Ethan David. For 7-12-year-olds.
Polka Theatre, London, Jun 21-Aug 16, polkatheatre.com; Birmingham Rep, Aug 21-30, birmingham-rep.co.uk
CBeebies Proms
A line-up including Duggee, Bluey, the Octonauts and the Royal Northern Sinfonia explore the natural world in music and song in a “Wildlife Jamboree” BBC Prom concert aimed at the under-tens.
Glasshouse, Gateshead, Jul 27 (1.30pm and 4pm), bbc.co.uk/proms
Comedy Club 4 Kids
Britain’s great purveyor of stand-up for ages 6+ since 2005. The club has regular daytime dates round the country as well as a four-week stint at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Theatre Alibi, Exeter, Jun 7, touring all year, comedyclub4kids.co.uk
Uniqlo Tate Play
The annual Tate Play commission, designed for children and families, is always a joy — this year, Monster Chetwynd is creating a fantastical world of stage sets, costumes and creatures inspired by Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Which is mad enough to start with.
Tate Modern, London, Jul 19-Aug 25, tate.org.uk
Raver Tots
Yes, there really is a rave for kids. And with the garage bad boys So Solid Crew and Artful Dodger on the bill, naughty kids are particularly welcome. “Throw shapes, not toys,” recommends Raver Tots, an event that gives new meaning to the old rave term “getting messy”.
Old Deer Park, Richmond, London, Aug 31
Comedy, by Dominic Maxwell
Comedy Garden
In the big top and open air, this travelling festival has a changing list of acts that includes Sara Pascoe, Frankie Boyle, Sam Campbell, Lucy Beaumont, Fatiha El-Gorri, Ivo Graham, Phil Wang and Russell Kane.
Queen Square, Bristol, Jun 4-8; Preston Park, Brighton, Jul 3-6; Parker’s Piece, Cambridge, Jul 17-20; Veralamium Park, St Albans, Jul 24-27; Greenwich Comedy Festival: Old Royal Naval College, London, Sep 17-21, fifty-seven.co.uk
Free shows at Edinburgh Fringe
Hundreds of new shows from new and more established acts including Ian Stone, Sooz Kempner, Will Mars, Heidi Regan, Huge Davies, Bennett Arron, Marc Silcox and Mark Simmons. It’s free, but you will be asked to donate at the end.
Various venues, Edinburgh, Aug 1-24; PBH’s Free Fringe, thefreefringe.org.uk; Laughing Horse Free Festival, freefestival.co.uk
Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America
He’s done shows about cycling, classical music, Brexit and moving to Scotland. Now the wildly talented comedian turns his sights on the USA.
Soho Theatre, London, Jun 16-28; Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, Jul 30-Aug 24
Wanda Sykes
You may know her for roles in The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and (as herself) in Curb Your Enthusiasm; this is the US comedian’s first (small) British tour.
New Century Hall, Manchester, Jun 26; Royal Festival Hall, London, Jun 27; Brighton Dome, Jun 29
Taylor Tomlinson
The Netflix stand-up and US talk show host (After Midnight) is a huge draw, now concentrating on touring again.
O2 Apollo, Manchester, Jul 6; King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Jul 8; Eventim Apollo, London, Jul 10, 12
aegpresents.co.uk
Classical music & opera, by Richard Morrison
BMW Classics
The London Symphony Orchestra’s annual free open-air concert is full of sizzling Italian orchestral showstoppers and an intriguing new work — Opera for Orchestra — by Isabella Gellis. Antonio Pappano conducts.
Trafalgar Square, London, Jun 15, lso.co.uk
Eugene Onegin
Tchaikovsky’s gloriously tuneful opera is staged by Dominic Dromgoole in a new small-orchestra version. The enterprising Wild Arts company opens the show at the Essex Summer Opera Festival, then it tours, including to Opera Holland Park in London.
Various venues, Jun 17-Sep 18, wildarts.org.uk
Battle Proms
Stirring orchestral music, plus fireworks, vintage aircraft flypasts, dancers, cannon and cavalry — all in the grounds of four of England’s historic houses (Hatfield House, Blenheim Palace, Burghley House and Highclere Castle).
Jul 5-Aug 2, battleproms.com
Leeds Castle
In front of one of Kent’s most spectacular castles, in the middle of a lake, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London International Gospel Choir present popular classics with fireworks to finish.
Leeds Castle, Kent, Jul 12, leedscastleconcert.co.uk
The Veil of the Temple
John Tavener’s eight-hour masterpiece hasn’t been performed complete since its 2003 premiere. Now it opens the Edinburgh International Festival, with massed choirs singing this epic prayer drawing inspiration from several religions.
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Aug 2, eif.co.uk
National Youth Orchestra
Britain’s top 160 teenage musicians go on tour (taking in two BBC Proms) with a galactic programme including John Williams’s Star Wars soundtrack and Holst’s The Planets. The superb Dalia Stasevska conducts.
Various venues, Aug 6-10, nyo.org.uk
Presteigne Festival
Dozens of premieres, from opera to chamber music, and a celebration of Shostakovich on the 50th anniversary of his death, crammed into five days at this adventurous festival in a delightful Welsh town.
Various venues, Presteigne, Powys, Aug 21-25, presteignefestival.com
Dance, by Donald Hutera
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets
Visionary dance sequences from Oklahoma!, Carousel and the rarely seen Allegro are re-imagined by the choreographers Julia Cheng, Kate Prince and Shelley Maxwell to music played live by a 26-piece orchestra. Sounds like heaven in Regent’s Park.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London, Jun 19-22, openairtheatre.com
Anchored! and SALT
You’re spoilt for choice at the Thames-based Estuary Festival in south Essex and north Kent. Free, ticketed shows include Anchored!, an aerial performance (Jun 21) set aboard a boat in the Historic Dockyard, Chatham, and SALT (Jun 27-28), featuring a 20-strong cast in a tidal pool on Canvey Island.
Various venues, Jun 21-29, estuaryfestival.com
Quadrophenia
The Who’s iconic best-selling 1973 album is converted into an orchestrally scored “mod ballet” steeped in rebellious 1960s spirit. With Paul Smith costumes and, in London only, the Royal Ballet heart-throb Matthew Ball heading the cast.
Sadler’s Wells, London, Jun 24-Jul 13; The Lowry, Salford, Jul 15-19
A Single Man
The choreographer Jonathan Watkins gives Christopher Isherwood’s novel of middle-aged grief, queer desire and recovery the ballet treatment at the Manchester International Festival. The brilliant former Royal Ballet principal Ed Watson plays the protagonist while the singer-songwriter John Grant vocalises his internal self.
Aviva Studios, Manchester, Jul 2-6, factoryinternational.org
DNA, Vertical Odyssey
The French company Transe Express’s jaw-dropping nocturnal outdoor aerial spectacle looks to be a literal high spot of Milton Keynes’s ten-day International Festival. You won’t want to look away.
The Point, Milton Keynes, Jul 25-26, ifmiltonkeynes.org
Mary, Queen of Scots
An Edinburgh Festival world premiere from Scottish Ballet’s resident choreographer Sophie Laplane and the director James Bonas focusing on the contentious relationship between Scotland’s tempestuous monarch and her Tudor cousin Elizabeth I. The original score is by the composers of the company’s 2022 hit Coppélia.
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Aug 15-17, eif.co.uk; touring in September and October, scottishballet.co.uk
