21+ Brilliant Things to Book this October
21+ Brilliant Things to Book this October
Pictured: Nowhere at Battersea Arts Centre (c) Manuel Vason
Theatre
1 Nowhere
Battersea Arts Centre, 1-19 October
Inspired by his involvement in the Egyptian revolution of 2011, and his experience of the counter-revolution that followed, actor and activist Khalid Abdalla takes us on a journey into his own history, set against a cartography of seismic world events.
2 Here in America
Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, Until 19 October
A compelling new drama that imagines a confrontation between two titans of stage and screen, both passionately involved with an actress about to become the most famous movie star in the world.
3 Heathers the Musical
Richmond Theatre, 8-12 October
The beloved musical is coming to Richmond! When Veronica Sawyer, unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start.
4 Dom Joly: The Conspiracy Tour
Rose Theatre, Kingston, 13 October
This is Dom Joly’s most unique theatre tour yet, where he will be providing a hilarious, fascinating, and slightly anarchic guide to the wacky world of conspiracies.
(c) Spencer McPherson
5 Soft or Spiky
Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, 19 October – 24 November
This playful and interactive new show is full of shapes, sounds, textures and words exploring different ways to connect and understand each other, inspired by heartfelt conversations with new parents.
6 Hairspray the Musical
New Wimbledon Theatre, 21-26 October
Join big hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends, the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle as they strive to change the world.
7 Nish Kumar: Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe 2024
Leatherhead Theatre, 23 October
Nish Kumar – one of The Guardian and The Telegraph’s 50 Best Comedians of the 21st Century – is back on tour with his brand new politically-charged stand-up show.
More fab things to do:
Art & Exhibitions
1 Haegue Yang: Leap Year
Hayward Gallery, Southbank, Opens 9 October
Leap Year consists of over 100 works from Haegue Yang’s career, including three major new commissions and multiple movable, activated works creating an all-encompassing visual and sensory experience.
Haegue Yang, The Randing Intermediates – Underbelly Alienage Duo (Earth Alienage Rising Sporing, Sea Alienage Fanned-Out Bang), 2020. © Haegue Yang. Courtesy kurimanzutto, Mexico City, New York
2 Artfully Sorted
Battersea Affordable Art Fair, 16-20 October
Visit the distinguished art consultancy Artfully Sorted on Stand D9 at Battersea Affordable Art Fair. It will showcase the work of talented local artists, from Jo Holdsworth to Isobel Allan Lowe.
2 Normansfield Pottery Fair
Normansfield Theatre, Teddington, 19-20 October
Eighteen potters will exhibit and sell an amazing range of decorative and functional work created in a variety of clay materials, techniques and colours.
Penny Little Ceramics
3 Flower Fairies: The Magical World of Cicely Mary Barker
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Guildford, Opens 22 October
This winter, visitors to Watts Gallery can step into the magical world of Cicely Mary Barker’s worldfamous Flower Fairies in the museum’s first exhibition for children and families.
4 Expressions in Blue
Kew Gardens, Richmond, Opens 26 October
Acclaimed ceramic artist Felicity Aylieff brings a major solo exhibition of porcelain vessels, architectural in scale, to the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at Kew Gardens.
5 Under Construction
Stanley Picker Gallery, Kingston, Until 20 December
‘Under Construction’ looks at more than a decade of ambitious live-build projects led by architect Takeshi Hayatsu, working together with an evolving cohort of collaborators, participants and community partners.
See what’s on at your local theatres:
Music
1 Songs from a Golden Age
Omnibus Theatre, Clapham, 5 October
Artist Paula Rodriguez breathes new life into 17th Century IberoAmerican classics through spoken word in English and Spanish, set to contemporary music by composer Arthur Astier.
2 Paris in a Jazz Age
OSO Arts Centre, Barnes, 24 October
A hot jazz sandwich of French chanson, gypsy jazz, early swing, blues and American songbook classics popular in Paris from the roaring twenties through occupation to Liberation at the end of the second world war.
3 The John Idan Group
The Cabbage Patch, Twickenham, 24 October
John Idan is a superb guitarist/ vocalist and the long-time frontman of The Yardbirds. He has played sold out shows on a variety of world class stages such as The Royal Albert Hall and The Royal Festival Hall.
4 Maxim Calver
Banstead Community Hall, 26 October
Praised for the “elegance of his technique, overall sound and natural poeticism”, BBC Young Musician 2018 Grand Finalist Maxim Calver performs four glorious sonatas by Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy and Mendelssohn with pianist Kumi Matsuo.
Outdoor Fun
1 Wimbledon Guild’s Waggy Walk
Wimbledon Common, 5 October
Waggy Walk is a chance to come together as a community, meet new people (and adorable dogs!) and, most importantly, raise money to make sure no one in Merton has to face life’s challenges alone.
2 Apple Open Day
Fulham Palace, 6 October
Celebrate the harvest at the annual Fulham Palace apple day celebration! Enjoy delicious food, live music, garden games, market, baking competition, and more.
3 Festival of Flavours
RHS Garden Wisley, 9-13 October
A celebration of growing and cooking, with live cookery demos, edible garden tours, food markets and expert advice on growing your own – a feast for your senses.
4 Autumn Fayre
Barnes Common, 19 October
To celebrate Apple Day and all things autumn, head to Barnes Common for the annual Autumn Fayre. Come along for this community event filled with fun activities for everyone.
