Dates For Your Diary

Annual classics

• Royal Windsor Horse Show 14 to 18 May
• Glyndebourne Festival 17 May to 24 August
• RHS Chelsea Flower Show 20 to 24 May
• The Cartier Queen’s Cup 20 May to 15 June 
• Hay Festival 22 May to 1 June
• Investec Derby Day, Epsom 7 June
• Trooping The Colour 14 June
• Royal Ascot 17 to 21 June
• The Championships Wimbledon 23 June to 6 July
• Goodwood Festival Of Speed 26 to 29 June
• Henley Royal Regatta 2 to 6 July
• RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 8 to 13 July

1. Henley Regatta 2. BBC Proms 3. The Brewin Dophin garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 4. The Queen at Royal Ascot

• The Open Championship 17 to 20 July
• BBC Proms 18 July to 13 September 
• Royal International Horse Show 29 July to 3 August
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe 1 to 25 August
• Cowes Week 2 to 9 August
• Burghley Horse Trials 4 to 7 September
• Goodwood Revival 12 to 14 September
• Cheltenham Literature Festival 3 to 12 October

 

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Theatre by Georgina Brown

Pressure
David Haig has written and also performs in this intriguing drama, which tells the little-known but true story of a meteorologist’s crucial role in the outcome of the D-Day landings.

31 May to 28 June, Minerva Theatre, Chichester: 01243- 781312, www.cft.org.uk

Skylight
Politics become intensely personal in David Hare’s play (my favourite), with Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy.

6 June to 23 August, Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2: 0844-482 5120, www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk

Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Clare Higgins and Tim Piggott-Smith fight tooth and claw in Edward Albee’s lacerating marital battle.

18 June to 5 July, Theatre Royal Bath: 01225-448844, www.theatreroyal.org.uk

The Importance Of Being Earnest
Niall Buggy, Nigel Havers, Cherie Lunghi and Siân Phillips are cast in a remarkably starry revival of Wilde’s handbag comedy.

27 June to 20 September, Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London SW1: 0844-871 7627, www.atgtickets.com/venues/harold-pinter-theatre

5. A Streetcar Named Desire 6. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf 7. Guys and Dolls

Amadeus
Chichester’s Festival Theatre reopens following its £22m refurbishment, with Rupert Everett as the embittered court composer, Salieri, in Peter Shaffer’s whodunnit.

Amadeus: 12 July to 2 August, Festival Theatre, Chichester: 01243-781312, www.cft.org.uk

The full festival programme runs until 6 September

Shakespeare In Love
Lee Hall (Billy Elliot) adapts Sir Tom Stoppard’s screenplay for the stage. Can Tom Bateman and Lucy Briggs- Owen compete with the marvellous impressions left by Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow? 

23 July to 25 October, Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2: 0844-482 5120, www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk

A Streetcar Named Desire
Benedict Andrews’ revival sold out as soon as it was announced that Gillian Anderson would be playing Blanche DuBois. So start queuing for returns now.

23 July to 6 September, Young Vic, The Cut, London SE1: 020- 7922 2922, www.youngvic.org

Guys And Dolls
Chichester’s exciting opening season continues with Sophie Thompson sneezing as Miss Adelaide (‘a person can develop a cold’). Carlos Acosta choreographs.

21 August, Festival Theatre, Chichester: 01243-781312, www.cft.org.uk

Pitcairn
Richard Bean’s (One Man, Two Guvnors) new play explores the fall-out from the famous mutiny on The Bounty.

22 August to 20 September, Minerva Theatre, Chichester: 01243-781312, www.cft.org.uk

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Dance by Gillian Spickernell

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s North and South Spring Tours have such treats as the witty Elite Syncopations and the popular La Fille Mal Gardée.

9 May to 28 June: 0121-245 3500, www.brb.org.uk

Two attractive mixed bills at the Royal Ballet combine old and new, from Ashton’s The Dream, via Jerome Robbins’s comic masterpiece, The Concert, to Liam Scarlett’s Sweet Violets.

4 May to 13 June, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2: 020-7304 4000, www.roh.org.uk

Before travelling to Russia and the Chekhov International Theatre Festival, Scottish Ballet continues to tour its vivid interpretation of Romeo And Juliet.

Until 24 May, 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow: 0141-331 2931, www.scottishballet.co.uk

Younger family members will love English National Ballet’s My First Ballet: Coppélia, touring until 25 May, followed by the adult version, from 23 to 8 November.

Markova House, 39 Jay Mews, London SW7: 020-7581 1245, www.ballet.org.uk


Northern Ballet’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream tours Norwich, Milton Keynes and Southampton from 13 to 31 May. Children will enjoy The Three Little Pigs, touring until 24 October.

Quarry Hill, Leeds: 0113-220 8000, www.northernballet.com

Romeo & Juliet In-The-Round As its title suggests, the Royal Albert Hall makes a perfect venue for this sumptuous English National Ballet production.

Kensington Gore, London SW7: 11 to 22 June: 020-7581 1245, www.ballet.org.uk

The Mariinsky Ballet has some of the greatest classical dancers in the world. They’re back with productions of Swan Lake and Romeo And Juliet, among others.

28 July to 16 August, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2: 020-7304 4000, www.roh.org.uk

The two-week taster festival of world-class dance, Sadler’s Sampled, begins with the UK premiere of Dada Masilo’s radical interpretation of Swan Lake.

Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1, 17 to 29 June: 0844-412 4300, www.sadlerswells.com

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Art by Sam Taylor

Constable: The Making Of A Master
The exhibition will juxtapose Constable’s work with that of other landscape artists including Rubens and Claude, both of whom had an influence on his art. Also a chance to see The Hay Wain and The Cornfield up close in a perfect setting.

20 September to 11 January, V&A, London SW7: 020-7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk

Late Turner – Painting Set Free
Beginning in 1835 when Turner was 60 and ending with his last exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1850, this autumn riot of colour promises to show how his later works were some of his most energetic and vigorous.

10 September to 25 January, Tate Britain, London SW1: 020- 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk

Mondrian And His Studios
This new exhibition commemorates the 70th anniversary of the artist’s death, providing fresh insights into Mondrian’s style and explores his relationship with architecture and urbanism.

6 June to 5 October, Tate Liverpool: 0151-702 7400, www.tate.org.uk


Grayson Perry: The Vanity Of Small Differences
A series of six tapestries by the Turner Prize-winning, cross-dressing potter. These beautiful, intense works, which directly reference A Rake’s Progress by William Hogarth, will be hung alongside fine art and furnishings from the 19th century.

23 August to 7 December, Temple Newsam House, Leeds: 0113-336 7560, www.leeds.gov.uk

Bouke de Vries: Bow Selector
A new ceramic installation by contemporary artist Bouke de Vries commissioned to mark the 300th anniversary of this historic house. The intricate piece in the 18th-century stairwell is constructed from the gallery’s collection of Bow porcelain, consisting of more than 300 key examples produced between 1747-1776.

Ongoing till 2015, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, West Sussex: 01243-774557, www.pallant.org.uk

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Literary festivals by Juanita Coulson

Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest
Regarded as one of the finest children’s literature events in the UK.

3 to 5 May, various venues, Shrewsbury, Shropshire: 07719-401365, www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk 

Swindon Festival Of Literature
Featuring the Swindon Performance Poetry Slam and Q&As with authors such as Ann Widdecombe and Jacqueline Wilson.

5 to 17 May, various venues, Swindon, Wiltshire: 01793- 771080, www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk

Crimefest
The international crime-fiction convention attracts top crime novelists, readers and publishers from all over the world.

15 to 18 May, Royal Marriott Hotel, College Green, Bristol: 0117-9737829, www.crimefest.com

Charleston Festival
Where books, ideas and creativity bloom. Guest speakers include Carol Ann Duffy and Ian McEwan.

16 to 26 May, Charleston, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex: 01273- 483448, www.charleston.org.uk/whats-on/festival/thecharleston-festival

14. Pick up original artwork from Tales From Wind in The Willows at the Antiquarian Book Fair 15. Ann Widdecombe will appear at the Swindon Festival

 

London International Antiquarian Book Fair
Europe’s largest bibliophile gathering, where you can buy everything from manuscripts, maps to original art works. 

22 to 24 May, Olympia, Hammersmith Road, London W14: 020-7439 3118, www.olympiabookfair.com

The Stoke Newington Literary Festival
The annual festival celebrates the area’s long and influential literary history.

6 to 8 June, Stoke Newington Town Hall, London N16: 07779- 228969, www.stokenewingtonliteraryfestival.com

Althorp Literary Festival
This year’s speakers include Kate Adie, Mark Billingham and Emma Bridgewater.

12 to 14 June, Althorp House, The Stables, Althorp, Northamptonshire: 01604- 770107, www.spencerofalthorp.com/literary-festival

Curious Arts Festival
Probably the only arts festival that opens with a cricket match, played in the grounds of the park between the Authors XI and the Pylewell Park team. Writers and artists include Lady Antonia Fraser, DBC Pierre, Craig Brown and Dan Snow.

18 to 20 July, Pylewell Park, Hampshire: 020-359 25439, www.curiousartsfestival.com

Soho Literary Festival
The Oldie magazine presents its fourth literary festival in the heart of Soho, featuring Brian Sewell, Ian Hislop and many others.

24 to 28 September, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1: 020-7436 8801, www.soholitfest.com

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Cultural Events by Melonie Clarke

Isle of Arts Festival
Showcases a range of talent including, film, photography and music.

2 to 5 May, various venues, Isle of Wight: 01983-853445, www.artsisle.org

Brighton Fringe Festival
England’s largest and oldest fringe festival, an off-shoot of the Brighton Festival.

3 May to 1 June, various venues, Brighton: 01273-917272, www.brightonfringe.org

Folk On The Pier
With a focus on the  nest folk-rock acts from the UK and beyond.

9 to 11 May, Pavilion Theatre, Cromer: 01263-512495, www.folkonthepier.co.uk

Chorlton Arts Festival
Some of the best music and performances Manchester has to offer.

16 to 25 May, various venues, Manchester: 07726-232412, www.chorltonartsfestival.com

Museums At Night
Be transported back in time to an evening of music, talks and tours and a 1914-style quiz.

16 May, London Transport Museum, Covent Garden, London: 020-7565 7298, www.ltmuseum.co.uk


The Grange Park Opera Festival
This year’s programme includes performances of Peter Grimes, La Traviata, Queen Of Spades and Don Quichotte. 

30 May to 12 July, The Grange, 24 Broad Street, Alresford: 01962-737366, www.grangeparkopera.co.uk

Wychwood Festival
Nominated the best family festival at the UK Festival Awards. It will feature performances from Newton Faulkner and The Stranglers. 

30 May to 1 June, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: 01993-772580, www.wychwoodfestival.co.uk

March Summer Festival
An open-air music festival culminating in a Last Night Of The Proms-style performance.

6 to 8 June, West End Park, March, Cambridgeshire: 01354-653709, www.marchsummerfestival.co.uk

Chichester International Film Festival
Retrospectives, showcases, previews and premieres of UK and international cinema.

14 to 31 August, Chichester Cinema at New Park, New Park Road, Chichester: 01243-576041, www.chichestercinema.org

Kew The Movies
A season of open-air films hosted at Kew Gardens including Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, Gravity and Top Gun.

4 to 6 September, Kew Gardens, Surrey: 08712-200260, www.kew.org/visit-kewgardens/whats-on/kew-themovies

Raindance Film Festival
The UK’s biggest independent festival that raises the profile of up-and-coming film-makers.

24 September to 5 October, Vue Piccadilly, Lower Regent Street, London SW1: 020-7287 3833, www.raindance.org

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FILM by Kat Brown

Malefi­cent
Angelina Jolie stars as the villain from Sleeping Beauty.

From 28 May

Grace Of Monaco
One icy blonde plays another, as Nicole Kidman takes on Hitchcock’s favourite star.

From 6 June

The Fault In Our Stars
One of the smartest, funniest (and saddest) books of recent years gets a longawaited screen adaptation.

From 20 June

Jersey Boys
Clint Eastwood directs the immensely successful musical that traces the early days of The Four Seasons. 

From 20 June


Tammy
Our female lead loses her job so decides to go on a road trip with her alcoholic grandmother, played by Susan Sarandon.

From 4 July

Fifty Shades Of Grey
Everyone was talking about the book, we have no doubt they will be talking about the film. 

From 1 August

Get On Up
James Brown biopic with Chadwick Boseman playing the Godfather Of Soul.

From 1 August

Dracula Untold
Luke Evans and Dominic Cooper star in the Dracula prequel.

From 17 October