Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
The widely-loved production from Olivier Award-winning Richard Jones returns after its first outing at Covent Garden in 2004. Eva-Maria Westbroek takes the lead role in Shostakovich’s tragic and murderous tale, which was banned by Soviet authorities in 1936 after two years of great success. Antonio Pappano conducts.
Until 27 April, Royal Opera House, London
Sonorama! Latin American Composers in Hollywood
This multimedia extravaganza looks at the impact on the big screen of figures including Juan García Esquivel, Lalo Schifrin, and María Grever, whose music has been heard in films including Mission Impossible, Dirty Harry and The Big Lebowski. Camilo Lara, Omar, and Nina Miranda are joined by members of the Hackney Colliery Band.
20 April, Barbican Centre, London
The Moderate Soprano
This tale, of the labour of love that willed Glyndebourne Festival Opera into existence, makes its West End transfer from Hampstead Theatre. David Hare’s play examines John Christie’s unrelenting quest for artistic excellence in the face of challenging circumstances, not least World War Two. Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll star.
Until 30 June, Duke of York’s Theatre, London
Music from the Balconies – Ed Ruscha and Los Angeles
It’s the last couple of weeks of this exhibition of the Nebraskan artist, who straddles pop, conceptual, and surreal art. It includes work going back to the early ‘60s, and questions and engages with the allure of the American dream in Ruscha’s uniquely cool style. Keep an eye out for a new Ruscha exhibition opening at the National Gallery in London this June.
Until 29 April, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One), Edinburgh
Voices of America
English National Ballet return as Associate Company to premiere a brand-new work by William Forsythe, consisting of a series of pas de deux, set to a score by Thom Willems. Alongside is Fantastic Beings by Azure Barton and Jerome Robbins’ The Cage, set to Stravinsky’s Concerto in D, the first piece the Russian wrote after becoming a naturalised American citizen.
Until 21 April, Sadler’s Wells, London
Wonderstruck
The story of two children fifty years apart (one in the golden age of silent movies; the other rise of New Hollywood) are told simultaneously as each child seek the same mysterious connection. Todd Hayne’s follow up to Carol has received a mixed reception from critics. Too gooey? Too optimistic? You decide.
Now streaming on Amazon Prime
Scott Fitzgerald: ‘I’d Die For You’ And Other Lost Stories
The paperback release of the last of Fitzgerald’s short fiction, works which were for one reason or another ‘lost’ (physically or otherwise) are collected here. Including The I.O.U. which was published in The New Yorker last year.
Available online and in bookshops nationwide
Woodfall: A Revolution in British Cinema
The BFI’s ongoing season showcases the angry young men at their heart of swinging sixties kitchen sink drama: Woodfall Films. Founded by director Tony Richardson, producer Harry Saltzman, and writer John Osborne, Woodfall put the spotlight on working-class life, with ground-breaking results in films such as Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and A Taste of Honey.
Throughout April, BFI Southbank, London
Chinua Achebe: Things Fall Apart
This 60th anniversary reading of Achebe’s masterwork Things Fall Apart will be performed by the authors he inspired as well as Nollywood artists. The line-up includes Man Booker-winner Ben Okri and Welcome to Lagos author Chibundu Onuzo.
15 April, Southbank Centre, London
Ian White: Any frame is a thrown voice
Camden Arts Centre presents the first major exhibition of artist Ian White (1971-2013). A writer, curator and teacher, White’s practice has many strands. Any frame is a thrown voice collects his paintings of Thomas Gainsborough, his wall labels at Tate as well as a film archive in Berlin and listings from a gay cruising website and re-presents them as installations, documentary materials.
