What’s Awesome This Autumn?
What’s Awesome This Autumn?
From art to food to theatre, we have compiled the perfect autumnal planner for 2023
Picture Credit: Linda Nylind/Frieze
Art in Autumn: Exhibitions not to miss
Diva: Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington
Ends 7 April 2024
This vivid and electric exhibition celebrates iconic performers and what it means to be a ‘Diva’. How has the label changed over the years and how does it vary across different mediums, from opera, stage, popular music and film?
A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography, Tate Modern, Bankside London
Ends 14 January 2024
A top collection bringing together a group of artists from different generations, which will explore the varied landscape of contemporary African photography. The show will look at the ways images travel across histories and geographies and uses the themes of spirituality, identity, urbanism and climate emergency.
Women in Revolt: Tate Britain, Millbank, London
8 November 2023- 7 April 2024
This exhibition is based on a survey of work by over 100 female artists working in the UK from 1970 – 1990. It will focus on a range of artists and media to explore and reflect on issues from the Women’s Lib movement, to the visibility of Black and South Asian female artists.
https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/women-in-revolt
Credit: Tate Britain ©
Linder, Untitled, 1976. Purchased by Tate in 2007. © Linder
Gina Birch, still from Three Minute Scream,1979. Courtesy the artist
Impressionist on Paper: Degas to Toulouse- Lautrec, Royal Academy, Piccadilly, London
25 November 2023- 10 March 2024
We are all familiar with the paintings of the great Impressionists, but it’s their radical works on paper that are shown in this exhibition which has a twist on the conventional representation of works from the late 19th century in France.
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/impressionists-on-paper
Credit: Edgar Degas, Dancer Seen from Behind, Collection of David Lachenmann
Treasured Possessions: Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, Surrey
Ends 29 October 2023
Billed as the one of the National Trust’s most glamorous exhibitions, this collection marks 80 years since society hostess Dame Margaret Greville left Polesden Lacey. Over 100 treasures are showcased including rare ceramics and silver, and French, Italian and Dutch paintings.
Frieze London Art Fair: The Regent’s Park
11 – 15 October 2023
Whether you are in the market for a purchase or a cultural browse, this fair is one of the most influential contemporary art fairs. It focuses on contemporary art and living artists and takes place every October in the capital.
Credit: Linda Nylind/Frieze
Radical Landscapes, William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park House, Forest Road, London E17 4PP
21 October- 18 February 2024
Radical Landscapes will explore the natural world as a space for artistic inspiration, social connection and political protest through the eyes of William Morris, one of Britain’s earliest environmental thinkers. The William Morris Gallery is a museum devoted to the life and works of the English Arts and Crafts designer and early Socialist.
Credit: Andrew Testa,
Allercombe camp on the route of the A30 in Devon, 1996 ©Andrew Testa
London Design Festival; London
16 – 24 September 2023
London Design Festival celebrates and promotes the city as a design capital. The event was launched in 2003, building on London’s design activity. It is an annual event with exhibitions to inspire and celebrate designers and spectators.
Autumn Performances: What to Watch
Amadeus Live: Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington
24 October 2023
As part of the Royal Albert Hall’s Films in Concert series, this screening of Amadeus will be accompanied by a live performance of the score by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields orchestra, and London Philharmonic Choir.
https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2023/amadeus-live/
The Effect, Lucy Prebble: National Theatre
1 August – 7 October 2023
Hot off the heels of the success of Succession, Lucy Prebble’s latest work is a ‘funny and intimate examination of love and ethics’. Connie and Tristan fall for each other, but is their connection real or to do with the side effect of a new antidepressant?
A View From The Bridge: Rose Theatre, Kingston
31 October 2023- 11 November 2023
This timeless Arthur Miller masterpiece explores what happens when an all-American dream is rocked to its core, when a wife and husband take in their Sicilian immigrant relations. Directed by Holly Race Roughan.
Rebecca: Charing Cross Theatre, London
4 September- 18 November 2023
Daphne du Maurier’s iconic Gothic novel Rebecca is set to music in this latest adaption of the world-famous book which has sold over 3 million copies. It has 22 original songs and the gripping thriller sticks closely to the original novel.
Sunset Boulevard: Savoy Theatre, London
21 September 2023 – 6 Jan 2024
A brand new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical Sunset Boulevard comes to London this autumn. Nicole Scherzinger stars as Norma Desmond and the production is directed by West End and Broadway director Jamie Lloyd. The play is based around Norma Desmond who has been rejected and ostracised from the Hollywood scene. She is living in a parallel world of dreams and memories, can she be saved? Based on the Billy Wilder film.
Madonna: 02, London
Various dates between 14 October – 6 December 2023
No more introduction necessary. Coming to London this Autumn is the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna. Her ‘Celebration Tour’ will take us on Madonna’s journey through four decades of pop and music and the show pays respect to the city of NYC where she started out.
“I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for,” says Madonna.
BFI London Film Festival: London
4 – 15 October 2023
The Times BFI London Film Festival is a must for movie-lovers, with more than 200 films a shown across London in a range of categories including short movies and animated films.
Farm Hall, Richmond Theatre
23 – 28 October 2023
Based on a true story, this play is set in summer wartime 1945- in a country house (Farm Hall) in the Cambridge countryside. Six of Germany’s top nuclear scientists, (including three Nobel Prize winners) are detained together and this performance follows how they manage to keep entertained and their thoughts of their broken country.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/farm-hall/richmond-theatre/
Shrek – The Musical; New Wimbledon Theatre
26 – 30 September 2023
If you are looking for some family entertainment this autumn, then Shrek the Musical is an extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike.
The legendary Shrek will be played by theatre veteran, Antony Lawrence (The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Matilda) and Strictly’s leading lady Joanne Clifton will play Princess Fiona.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/shrek-the-musical/new-wimbledon-theatre/
Autumn Treats: Food and Drink
London Cocktail Week: various venues, London
12 – 22 October 2023
London celebrates cocktail culture with an 11 day city wide festival dedicated to cocktails made in the capital’s best bars. Once you have your wristband you can then access over 250 bars throughout London.
Farnham Food Festival: Farnham
24 September: 10 – 4 pm
Castle Street and the Borough are closed to traffic for the day, and the festival takes over the road with over 100 stalls. Food and drink demos are there for all to see, a huge selection of food and drink products to sample and buy, live music and kitchen equipment.
Off Menu: Live, Royal Albert Hall, London
9 – 10 October 2023
Ed Gamble and James Acaster take the ‘Dream Restaurant’ on the road for the first ever live tour of their podcast, Off Menu. During the tour they quiz a special guest each night about their dream cuisine, their favourite starter, main course, desert, side dish and drink.
https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2023/off-menu-live/
Autumnal Walks
London is home to some of the most beautiful parks in the UK, and they can be at their best in autumn.
Here are our top five favourite parks, that are perfect for a wonder and some conker collecting.
Hyde Park – A 350 acre Royal Park which boasts 4000 trees and park goers can enjoy a stroll along the Serpentine lake.
Kew Gardens – A treat all year round, this South West London garden boasts a wealth of trees and botanical beauties. You can visit the Victorian Palm House whilst exploring the gardens to look at the changing autumn colours.
Morden Hall Park – An oasis in the city, which in Autumn turns into golden splendour. This tranquil former deer park has the River Wandle wandering through it and creates a haven for wildlife. There is also the renovated Stable Yard in the heart of the park, which has a second- hand book shop and café.
Banstead Woods – If you’re conker crazy, this Surrey woodland is the place for you. Set in 250 acres of ancient woodlands, Banstead Woods was originally a medieval deer park and once owned by Catherin of Aragon. It provides a beautiful setting for a walk and is renowned for having a huge number of conkers.
Richmond Park – One of the largest of London’s Royal Parks, it covers 2,500 acres and there are red and fallow deer which freely roam. It often has an autumnal mist, but on a clear day you can see views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline.
