Bonfire Night lights up the sky of London, Stephen Fry stars in the Twelfth Night and Frankie Boyle brings his razor sharp tongue and shamelessly controversial wit to the stage.
Ice Age Live! will take audiences on a magnificent, fun-filled journey into the family-friendly films as the characters are brought to life on stage. An arena spectacular, the show transports audiences into the world of Ice Age with a new and unique storyline. Introducing exciting new characters, the show premiers in London in November 2012 before embarking on a 30 country, 5 year worldwide tour. The movie characters aren't simply puppets - they're real life characters, designed to look as authentic as possible. And Manny and Ellie, the two Mammoths, are designed to scale - 3.6 metres high and 4.2 metres long.
This Affordable Art Fair is the little sister of the much-loved event in Battersea Park. The Hampstead Heath version is a similar concept - an event that strips away the pretension of the art world and gives buyers a chance to pick up some really great art at fair prices. Previous years have seen some works sold for hundreds of pounds by artists who nowadays would not get out of bed for that kind of change. It's a fun, family event which is accessible to connoisseurs and the merely curious. There's also a dedicated section of art by recent graduates so that you can have fun trying to identify the next Damien Hirst or Paula Rego.
November is the month that likes to go with a bang - and an explosive one at that. The 5th November marks Guy Fawkes' failed plot to blow up Parliament with the kind of pyrotechnics Mr Fawkes could only dream of. Every year for Bonfire Night there's a host of elaborate fireworks displays, processions, festivals and funfairs planned across the capital. There are normally huge displays in Ravenscourt Park, Victoria Park and Bishops Park (to name a few) - although this last year, Lambeth council decided to host their event in Brockwell Park and not, as is usually the case, Clapham Common.
The Apollo Theatre welcomes back Mark Rylance, whose stunning performance in Jerusalem bowled over audiences in London and New York, for one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. The actor returns to the Bankside theatre to starring in an all-male award-winning production of Twelfth Night by Original Practices following a three-week run earlier in the autumn at The Globe. Rylance plays Olivia in the production, reviving a role he took on ten years ago when the show premiered in 2002. With a celebrated cast in some of Shakespeare's most loved roles you can expect comedy, cruelty and plenty of cross-dressing in this bittersweet production about two teams battling within the house of Olivia. On one hand, the lovesick lord Orsino plots against the heart of indifferent Olivia. On the other hand, a vexed alliance of servants scheme against her steward Malvolio (portrayed deliciously by Stephen Fry). Transporting you right back to 1601 with traditional Shakespearian costume, music and dance, Twelfth Night is part of Shakespeare's Globe's 'The Play's the Thing' season and runs concurrently with Richard III at the same venue.
Experimental electro-rock and indie-pop band Alt-J drop into The Electric Ballroom as part of a UK autumn Tour. The bespectacled four-piece from Cambridge are also heavily influenced by hip hop and trip hop, and are currently enjoying snowballing success around Europe on the back of their debut album, An Awesome Wave. NME described the record as "a brilliantly disquieting debut" while the BBC website praised An Awesome Wave for its versatility and ambition: "This album spans every workable idea, genre, and influence that can be crammed under the guitar music umbrella, yet it never feels disorientating." Formed while the geek-chic quartet were studying at Leeds University, Alt-J are one of the favourites to win the 2012 Mercury music prize. Oddly, although their name is pronounced Alt-J, the band write their moniker using a bold triangle symbol which is said to be the command used on a Mac keyboard to achieve the Greek letter 'Delta'. This November gig will be followed up by a two back-to-back appearances at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on 18th & 19th January 2013 and then another concert later in the spring, at the O2 Academy Brixton on 16th May.
Four revivals of Uncle Vanya have come to theatres in and around London in 2012 but this small six-day production at the Noel Coward Theatre is perhaps the most unique in that it is entirely performed in Russian (with English surtitles, thankfully). With the award-winning Vakhtangov theatre company, director Rimas Tuminas presents a novel take on Anton Chekhov's masterpiece, which highlights the passion and poetry in the drama while exporting the tale out of the Russian country estate setting of the Chekhov original. Uncle Vanya, a ribald study of ennui that blends zesty wit and earthly humour, is one of the most celebrated comedic studies of the trials and tribulations of the human condition. The story deals with Yelena, the younger second wife of a professor, who entertains an eternally frustrated love triangle between two friends of her husband - Vanya, the brother of the professor's late first wife, and the local doctor, Astrov (who himself has inadvertently rendered the professor's daughter completely smitten). This stunning modern interpretation of a timeless classic is part of the Russian Season in the West End international arts platform. It coincides with a more traditional version of Uncle Vanya taking part at the Vaudeville Theatre for four months this winter.
The ATP World Tour Finals returns to The O2 Arena for eight days of tennis between the world's best eight players. Last year, Swiss legend Roger Federer was the winner of the $4.45m kitty, just edging past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in a gripping final. It was Federer's 100th final, his 70th title and his 6th ATP World Tour Finals win. The build-up to the final didn't disappoint either, with the world's best players all serving up some scintillating tennis. Britain's Andy Murray had a disappointing tournament, pulling out with a groin injury after a straight sets defeat to David Ferrer. But the Scot enters this year's tournament in the form of his life, on the back of Olympic gold and his first ever Grand Slam win, in the US Open. Watching tennis at The O2 is remarkably different than at Wimbledon: it's a theatrical affair, with the audience plunged in darkness and all eyes on the bright court below. Expect some titanic clashes between the likes of Murray, Federer, Novak Djokovic and (injury permitting) Rafa Nadal.
Cockney comic and man-of-the-moment Micky Flanagan performs a series of intimate Work in Progress shows at the Leicester Square Theatre this November ahead of two big arena shows in 2013. The late-40-something funnyman came to comedy late, his debut show in 2007 telling of his rise from working class East End lad to arty-farty East Dulwich resident - and earning him a best newcomer nomination at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe. Comedy glory beckoned, with Frank Skinner claiming Flanagan was "arguably the funniest comedian in the world". He's now a regular on TV panel shows - far cry from his first job as a fish porter at Billingsgate Fish Market.
Actress and singer Billie Piper makes her debut at the National Theatre this autumn is this "clinical romance" by Enron playwright Lucy Prebble. The Effect is a drama on sanity, neurology, love and the limits of medicine, and reunites Prebble with director Rupert Goold, who was also at the helm in Enron - the award-winning play based on the 2001 scandal that led to the bankruptcy of the major American energy company. Piper (who cut her acting teeth with Doctor Who and starred in ITV's critically acclaimed Secret Diary of a Call Girl, which was also written by Prebble) was last seen on the stage in Neil LaBute's Reasons to be Pretty at the Almeida, in which BBC Radio 4 described her as "fantastic, completely brilliant". Both funny and moving, this vibrant theatrical exploration into the human brain via the human heart also stars Tom Goodman-Hill, Anastasia Hille and Jonjo O'Neill.
Acclaimed actor Mark Rylance returns to the Apollo Theatre and to the celebrated role of Richard III - the determined Duke of Gloucester - who battles ruthlessly to reach his place on the throne. Heartlessly betraying anyone that comes between himself and the crown - including the king, the king's son, his two brothers and his defenceless nephews (the legendary Princes in the Tower) - Richard III is truly Shakespeare's most despicable bad guy: a scheming, Machiavellian hunchback who is arguably one of the most villainous characters in history. Ten years have passed since Rylance last played the charismatic villain, a role he took on during his time as Artistic Director of the Globe. This current revival will adhere to the Original Practices - meaning it will be performed by an entirely male cast - as it would have been in Shakespearean times. Clothing, music, choreography and settings will be explored as if it were being performed in 1593. Olivier and Tony Award-winning Rylance will be especially busy this season as he can also be seen appearing as Olivia in Twelfth Night, which runs concurrently at the same venue as part of Shakespeare's Globe's 'The Play's the Thing' season.
Twenty years after the romantic thriller burst onto our cinema screens - reducing us all to tears - The Bodyguard is back. Now adapted for the West End stage and appearing at The Adelphi, this version is likely to be all the more poignant following the recent death of Whitney Houston. Based on the Oscar-nominated movie starring Houston as pop-singing superstar Rachel Marron and Kevin Costner as former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer, this production has Grammy Award-winning Broadway actress Heather Headley and the talented Lloyd Owen starring in the lead roles. The pair are brought together when Frank is hired to protect Rachel from an unidentified stalker. As the danger heightens, so do emotions and the couple eventually fall madly in love. This turbulent tale is accompanied by unforgettable Whitney classics: One Moment in Time, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and singer's greatest hit, I Will Always Love You, which spent a record amount of time at the top of the charts in 1992. This brand new musical drama adaptation is choreographed by Arthur Pita and directed by Thea Sharrock.
With a razor sharp tongue and shamelessly controversial wit Frankie Boyle is returning to the stage with The Last Days of Sodom tour. Boyle has the ability to split an audience in seconds between those in uproarious laughter and others in awkward silence as they either shudder with disapproval or squirm as they fight the urge to laugh at what they feel they shouldn't. Never one to shy away from dangerous territory in his comedy, the Scottish comedian has previously hit the headlines as he offended audience members with a dig at those with Down Syndrome, as well as getting in hot water when he made a jibe about swimmer Rebecca Adlington's spoon face. However this hasn't stopped him from retracting his statement that 2010 would be his last tour and is now inviting only the daring to come along and indulge in some dark humour for his 2012 tour.
The world premiere of Nick Dear's drama The Dark Earth and the Light Sky takes place this November ahead of a two-month run at the Almeida Theatre. Deep in rural Hampshire in 1913, the tormented writer Edward Thomas meets a fellow poet, American Robert Frost, which leads him out of his self-doubt and puts him on the path to becoming one of the most influential poets of the twentieth century. On the cusp of success, he makes the bold decision to enlist, confounding both his friends and family. Pip Carter (recently seen in Posh at the Duke of York's theatre) stars in the lead role while Hattie Morahan follows up her wonderful performance in A Doll's House at the Young Vic with a turn as the disaffected writer's ever-suffering wife. Directed by Richard Eyre, this challenging play comes from the man behind the highly acclaimed Frankenstein at the National Theatre. Dear's other plays include Power, Zenobia and The Art of Success. Edward Thomas's enigmatic and complex character is laid bare against the backdrop of an era that brought about irrevocable change and destruction.
Ten previously unseen Henri Cartier-Bresson images feature in a Somerset House exhibition on the emergence of colour photography. It's well-known that Cartier-Bresson was disparaging towards colour in photography but, as this exhibition demonstrates, his criticisms of the medium spurred on a new generation, determined to overcome the obstacles and prove him wrong. Curated by William A. Ewing, the free display in the Terrace Rooms and Courtyard Rooms features over 75 works by 15 modern-day photographers including, Carolyn Drake, Andy Freeberg, Ernst Hass, Fred Herzog and Alex Webb and illustrates how photographers working in Europe and North America adopted and adapted what Cartier-Bresson referred to as 'the decisive moment' to their work in colour.
Showcasing the work of the most talented professional photographers, photography students and gifted amateurs across the world, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize regularly attracts around 6,000 entries by over 2,500 photographers who compete for the prestigious prize, not to mention the £12,000 which goes to the winner. The exhibition, running at the National Portrait Gallery for close to twenty years, is an annual fixture and a highlight of the arts calendar in London with approximately 60 works selected from the thousands of submissions. The exhibition is recommended for its mix of themes, styles and approaches to the contemporary photographic portrait.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2012, the London Jazz Festival presents 10 days of world class music with over 250 shows to be played across the capital. Appearances by jazz greats Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock and John McLaughlin are just the start of it. Macy Gray sings with the David Murray Big Band at the Barbican, Grammy award-winning Esperanze Spalding plays at the Southbank Centre and Ravi Coltrane plays Ronnie Scott's. It's also a chance to see great musicians and singers in more intimate venues including Peter Brotzmann's Chicago Tentet at Cafe Oto, Matthew Shipp at The Vortex, and Karin Krog and Bengt Hallberg at The Forge in Camden. The festival includes a programme of talks, family events, workshops and a Jazz for Free series so there's plenty to sample, whatever your level of interest or expertise.
The last of three Royal Court productions to transfer to the Duke of York's in the West End in 2012, Constellations is an "exceptional new romantic drama packs more into an hour or so than most manage in three" (writes Charles Spencer in The Telegraph). Starring Sally Hawkins (Golden Globe winner for Best Actress in Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky) and Rafe Spall (Donmar's One Day When We Were Young, Channel 4's Pete Versus Life and Ridley Scott's Prometheus), Nick Payne's intimate play about free will and friendship "achieves a powerful undertow of emotion" (The Telegraph). Directed by Michael Longhurst, the story begins which Marianne, a theoretical physicist at Sussex University, meets bee-keeper Roland and they start a relationship. Payne, "a fantastically idiosyncratic and sharply observant playwright" (The Guardian), and director Longhurst partner up again with a play performed at the Bush Theatre in 2009, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet, which is being produced by New York's Roundabout Theatre Company in autumn 2012 starring Jake Gyllenhaal in his American stage debut.
More than 200 paintings and artefacts documenting the entire period of the Mughal Empire, which at its peak spread from Kabul in the northwest and covered most of the South Asian subcontinent, are displayed in this major exhibition. Taking place at the British Library, it will be the first ever exhibition to document the entire period, from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Among the 200 exquisite objects on display, Bahadur Shah II's crown, a page from the imperial manuscript Akbarnama and a portrait of Prince Dara Shikoh will feature.
The Lord Mayor's Show has been taking over the streets of London for nearly 800 years now with a parade which involves over 6,000 people, military marching bands, Chinese acrobats, a procession of decorated floats and a gilded State Coach that the Lord Mayor travels in. The procession starts at 11am with an RAF flypast and goes on until about 2.30pm, covering the whole area between Bank and Aldwych with the mayor departing from Mansion House for the Royal Courts of Justice where he takes an oath of allegiance to the Queen. After the procession you can take part in a free guided walk which starts at 3pm departing from No 1 Poultry. It's a fun family day out that will see 22 marching bands, 125 horses, 18 vintage cars, 21 carriages and much more take to the streets of London. Usually, the grand finale is a spectacular fireworks display that's known to be the biggest and most dangerous that London hosts. However, due the city's skies being overwhelmed by firework displays in 2012 - in honour of the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics - it has been decided that there will be no fireworks at this year's parade.
The South African artist, William Kentridge is a "brilliant draughtsman" (The Guardian) from South Africa whose eight-channel video installation is projected across the walls of the Tate ModernTanks exhibition space on a continuous loop to create an immersive audio-visual environment. When Kentridge delivered his theatrical monologue 'I Am Not Me, the Horse Is Not Mine' in New York in November 2009, drawing a crowd of close to four hundred people, the New Yorker saw it as a mark of, "how influential Kentridge's work has become since 1997". Writing at the time of a major 2010 MoMa exhibition, the magazine noted: "It's hard to remember when a visual artist has cut such a wide swath in the city's cultural life, or spanned so many disciplines with such aplomb." The Guardian regards this ia a must-see exhibition and, "a meditation on the dreams and failures of the Russian revolution". Don't miss the William Kentridge artist talk on Sunday 11th November.
After a decade away from stand-up, comedian, writer and actor Alan Davies, best known for his starring role in TV series Jonathan Creek and as a regular on the Stephen Fry fronted QI, embarks on a UK tour. Following a mini-tour of Australia at the end of 2011, Davies returns home and plays two London dates in November 2012, at Richmond Theatre and Hackney Empire. Feedback from his Australian tour suggests Davies draws on some topical events - like the London riots - before finding safer ground talking about himself and his upbringing. There's material that draws on his experiences as a father of young children and more personal revelations about his mother's death - "the traumatic effect it had on him is comedy at its most bittersweet" finds the Herald Sun reviewer.
The Tate Modern takes a close look at the vibrant relationship between performance and painting with their new exhibition, A Bigger Splash. A diverse range of art genres will be contrasted and considered using the notion that the canvas is a stage on which a gestural or theatrical act takes place. Jackson Pollock and David Hockney will be amongst the artists included in the exhibition, alongside face and body artists Cindy Sherman and Jack Smith, the paintings of Vienna Actionists and Nikki de St Phalle's Shooting Pictures. This insightful collection provides a chance to look at established works and also to explore the work of new emerging artists whose approach is influenced by these historical sources.
Italian diva Cecilia Bartoli graces the Barbican stage for her annual winter gig alongside the Kammerorchester Basel. A mezzo-soprano of the highest order, Bartoli will be accompanied by the world-famous orchestra as she showcases her extraordinary voice and brings her own unique energy to the stage at Barbican Hall, her London home-from-home. Bartoli's extraordinary vocal range and unrivalled coloratura technique makes her a vivacious performer of rare ability - and should ensure that this is a sell-out show. The programme is yet to be confirmed, but Bartoli's 2010 'Handel and his Rivals' evening was labelled a "real star performance" by The Guardian, while The Telegraph said that "her unaffected joy in singing, performing and communicating never fails to astonish and delight."
Death is the somewhat sombre subject of the Wellcome Collection's latest exhibition, Death: A Self-Portrait, which showcases 300 works assembled by Richard Harris, a former antique print dealer based in Chicago. Rare prints by Rembrandt, Durer and Goya are among the various items displayed which include anatomical drawings, plaster-cast bones and human remains. The exhibition is divided into five themed areas including violent death which invites the viewer to address the horrors of war and death on a mass scale. A programme of events and talks which tie in with the exhibition help to open up a "more serious conversation about the subject of death that we need to have in our society" - which was Richard Harris's original intention in creating his collection.
Merrily We Roll Along
Maria Friedman directs this musical featuring some of Sondheim's best songs
Three times Olivier award winner Maria Friedman makes her directorial debut with Merrily We Roll Along, a revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's musical at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Jenna Russell, who plays Mary Flynn, is herself an Olivier trophy winner - for her 2006 performance in 'Sunday in the Park' with George, also by Sondheim. Featuring some of Sondheim's best song, this musical - based on the 1934 play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart - is about the career of the fictitious Broadway composer and Hollywood producer, Franklin Shepard. Set over three decades, it starts in 1980 and travels backwards in time. "A show that gets better with every viewing" says The Guardian.
England take on Australia in the second of four QBE Autumn Internationals at Twickenham in 2012. Games between England and Australia are never dull and this promises to be no different as England look to move on from the World Cup disappointment of 2011 and build a side capable of challenging in 2015. This game will surely evoke memories of a classic fixture in 2010, when England triumphed over the Wallabies 35-18, with a record 25 points from the boot of Toby Flood and a scintillating 90 metre try from Chris Ashton - one of the all time great Twickenham scores.
The tallest man (surely) in British comedy plays one of his biggest shows to date at the Hammersmith Apollo this November. Best known for his role as "the fat Rik Mayall" in musical oddball sketch combination We Are Klang, Greg Davies is renowned for his manic stage persona, well-crafted observations and remarkable storytelling. For a man whose primary conclusion from 13 years of teaching drama at school is that "kids are scum" it must have been with masochistic pleasure that the 20-stone Titan took on the role of Mr Gilbert the psychotic headmaster in Channel 4's The Inbetweeners. Davies continues touring the country with his stand-up routine on the back of his increasing presence on TV shows such as Mock The Week. Standing one inch taller than the spectacularly gangly Steven Merchant, Davies is a comedic colossus whose new show The Back of my Mum's Head will no doubt build on his knack of telling hysterical and often uncomfortably hilarious family tales: one sketch saw Davies recalling his mother's re-enactment of giving a b***job and another his father's inability to deal with gay people - with the punchline, "have you been to Cockermouth, dad?".
American four-piece Alabama Shakes play blues-rock and soul from their acclaimed debut album Boys & Girls at The Forum as part of a UK Tour. The Deep South band are best known for their lead singer, the sandpaper-voiced former postwomen Brittany Howard, who has quickly emerged as one of America's most compelling new singers. The band's energy and musicianship has been praised by The New York Times, who compared Howard to Janis Joplin. Blending retro flavourings and soft-burn blues-drawl, Alabama Shakes are now one of the most talked-about new bands in the world and can count amongst their celebrity fans Bon Iver, Russell Crowe and Jools Holland. Alabama Shakes also play at The Coronet one day before this gig, on Friday 16th November.
When Andras Schiff first performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas chronologically at Wigmore Hall, back in 2006, The Independent compared the achievement to "conquering a pianistic Everest". The Hungarian-born British master pianist and conductor is one of the most renowned interpreters of Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Schumann in the world. But it is Schiff's live performances of Beethoven's 32 sonatas that is destined to enter British music history as a landmark series. The Guardian's editor, Alan Rusbridger, described one performance in 2006 as "a riviting mixture of erudition, analysis, passion, wit and memory," while The Sunday Times claims that tickets for this latest series (which starts with these three concerts in November 2012 and continues over the coming year) "will be in the gold-dust category". In fact, while tickets remain for the opening concert on Monday 19 November (four sonatas), there are returns only for the concerts on Friday 23 November (six sonatas) and Monday 26 November (seven sonatas).
The acclaimed director Trevor Nunn directs a rebooted version of Cole Porter's dazzling Broadway classic Kiss Me, Kate at the Old Vic. The famous show-within-a-show revolves around the production of a musical staging of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and the comical conflict both on- and off-stage between the show's director, producer and star, and his leading lady (who happens to be his ex-wife). Throw in gun-toting gangsters, reckless gamblers, sparring actors and romantic tussles, and you get this timeless, exuberant, Tony Award-winning hit. Alex Bourne, David Burt, Clive Rowe, Hannah Waddingham and Adam Garcia all star in this wonderfully choreographed classic, which runs from November through to March.
The Saatchi Gallery presents a large survey exploring the recent history of Russia, including the crumbling of the Soviet Union and the years of perestroika. Gaeity is the Most Outstanding Feature of the Soviet Union: Art from Russia features works by 18 contemporary artists including Janis Avotin, Dasha Fursey, Irina Korina, Roman Savchenko and Sergei Vasiliev who photographed the tattoos of prison inmates in Russia. A second exhibition, 'Breaking the Ice: Moscow Art, 1960-80s', a group show of 'non-conformist art' made during Soviet-era Russia also runs at the gallery from 21st November 2012 to 24th February 2013.
Robbie Williams plays three nights at The O2 in November playing old favourites and new material from his forthcoming solo album 'Take the Crown', including number 1 single 'Candy', which is released by Island Records on 5th November. Robbie's brand of commercial pop is clearly still appealing to a wide audience (tell that to Radio 1) with demand for tickets to his last four September shows oversubscribed by 5,000 per cent.
The king (or should that be queen) of camp Julian Clary has one thing on his mind in his latest tour: finding himself a husband. Anyone wishing to apply can do so at Position Vacant: Enquire Within when it comes to London's Shepherd's Bush Empire for one night only this November. The host of Channel 4's game show Sticky Moments hardly needs an introduction and most recently he has been gracing our screens on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing (when he was a finalist and later appeared in the UK arena tour). He enjoyed himself so much in his previous tour, Lord of the Mince, that he has returned with this one-man show which tours nationwide.
Throughout late November and December the section of Hyde Park near Hyde Park Corner is transformed into a Winter Wonderland, complete with fairground rides, giant wheel, circus, Christmas market, food and drink stalls, Santa's grotto and, of course, an ice rink. It's the sixth consecutive year that the Winter Wonderland has come to Hyde Park and it's already a favourite in many Londoners' calendars. New for this year is the Magical Ice Kingdom, a walk-through world of ice and snow with woodland creatures and a unicorn-pulled carriage. Doing your best Torvill and Dean impersonation is a great way to embrace the cold and the Ice Rink - which surrounds the Victorian bandstand and is illuminated by 108,000 pea-lights - is the biggest of its kind in the UK. A turn on the 53-metre-high Observational Wheel offers great views over London's most popular Christmas attraction. Zippos Circus is always a hit and the show never fails to pull crowds into its heated big top when temperatures plummet while the daredevil Zippos Cirque Berserk entertain the evening crowd. The traditional Angels Christmas Market, with its wooden chalets and various Bavarian-style bars and cafes, is a hoot, as is the Spiegel Saloon, a large, festive and fully covered restaurant. Don't go with an empty wallet because while the whole thing is not cheap, it's such fun you'll want to get into the spirit and spend. (Remember: advanced booking on the main attractions is advised while you'll need to buy tokens from kiosks dotted around the fair for the many rides.) Free entry to the site means you can just walk around and absorb the festive ambiance - but it will take a strong will not to succumb to the smells and fun on offer.
Longstanding rockers The Rolling Stones play two nights at The O2 on Sunday 25th and Thursday 29th November, giving fans the first opportunity to see the band perform on stage for more than five years. It's also the first time that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood have performed together as a band since 2007. The shows, which celebrate the band's 50th anniversary, feature classic hits including Jumpin' Jack Flash and Brown Sugar against a set which includes the iconic lips logo.
The Human League celebrate 35 years in the music business in grand style as their XXXV tour arrives in London at the Royal Albert Hall. The group formed in Sheffield in the 70s and together they created a unique electronic new wave sound, after many early changes in the line-up the combination that eventually stuck was Philip Oakey, Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley. The trio sold 20 million records worldwide, notched up a string of top ten hits and their musical influence continues to inspire new generations of artists. This UK tour follows the release of their ninth album, Credo.
Watch classic films like 'Miracle on 34th Street' and 'Love Actually' at the Winter Rooftop Cinema at The Berkeley hotel this winter when a pine-lined outdoor cinema takes over the rooftop pool terrace. With just four seats, this is London's most intimate outdoor cinema and, given its Knightsbridge address, the most exclusive. Open from 26th November 2012 until 31st January 2013 visitors can watch an al fresco winter movie while enjoying a homemade hot chocolate and mince pie, taking cover under a cosy blanket. Non-hotel guests can visit on weekdays for screenings at 5pm and 7pm.
I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want! I want a musical based on the phenomenal hits of British girl-group the Spice Girls. Sixteen years after Baby, Ginger, Sporty, Scary and Posh burst onto the scene amidst a flurry of crop tops and platforms, they have reformed to support the new musical inspired by their global hits. Featuring unforgettable hits like Wannabe, Mama and Two Become One, the show runs at London's Piccadilly Theatre from winter 2012. Calling on the comedy genius of Jennifer Saunders and the theatrical expertise of Mamma Mia! producer, Judy Cramer. The team set about spinning a heavily spiced tale of friendship, fame and fortune based on the band who had nine number one singles, 75 million album sales and a whole lot of zig-a-zig-ah. Viva Forever! Is a thoroughly modern tale of TV talent shows, celebrity culture, and the plight of overnight fame. Absolutely Fabulous star, Jennifer Saunders, makes her West End script writing debut with the show, which according to producer Judy Cramer "embraces all generations." So brace yourselves for peace signs and high-kicks as Spice fever heads directly to London town.
Phyllida Lloyd, of Mamma Mia! and The Iron Lady fame, directs an all-female production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar starring Dame Harriet Walter as Brutus at the Donmar Warehouse. Lloyd previously worked at the Donmar in 2005 on a production of Schiller's Mary Stuart, in which Dame Harriet also appeared. The pair had previously teamed up in the original London production of the classic West End musical Mamma Mia!. Shakespeare's classic study of power charts the bloody fall of the Roman emperor Julius Caesar and deals with a terrible trio of conspiracy, assassination and retribution. Notable male performances include Sir John Gielgud take on the role of "the noblest Roman of them all", Denzel Washington portray Brutus and both Charles Heston and Marlon Brando tackle the tormented Antony. Bucking that trend, this intriguing all-female cast includes recent Ian Charleson award winner Cush Jumbo as Mark Anthony, Jenny Jules as Cassius, Jade Anouka as Calpurnia and Frances Barber in the title role. It follows the RSC's novel take on Julius Caesar earlier this summer - an entirely black cast with the action taking place in war-torn Africa. Under a new scheme sponsored by Barclays, a number of front row tickets at the Donmar will be held back and made available close to the performance date for £10 each.
This major new exhibition celebrating the life and work of Valentino at Somerset House gives a rare insight into the secretive world of Italian couture. A stunning showcase of over 130 exquisite haute couture, the exhibition in the Embankment Galleries, South Wing, includes designs worn by famous beauties including Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Gwyneth Paltrow. Visitors to Valentino: Master of Couture will get to see photographs from the designer's personal archive, walk the catwalk lined with couture gowns and discover the world of couture craftsmanship. The creation of the wedding dress worn by Princess Marie Chantal of Greece is used to illustrate the painstaking work of les petit mains who hand sew extraordinary garments like these. Through films showing behind-the scenes access to the Valentino atelier and a virtual museum, visitors are fully immersed in Valentino's world. A series of talks, screenings and events to accompany the exhibition includes a talk on Friday 30th November 2012 by Sunday Times Style columnist, Colin McDowell, who will be talking with Valentino himself and Valentino's partner, Giancarlo Giammetti.
Music maestro Jools Holland returns to the Royal Albert Hall with his big-band sounds, Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and lots of lovely musical guests. From his early days playing in East End pubs, Jools Holland has always been driven by his passion for sharing great music. He has an undeniable knack for discovering new talents and his shows are always an education, showcasing all the best the music world has to offer. Established artists play alongside unheard of newcomers and audiences should expect to hear a mixed range of genres. This new live show features Scottish songstress KT Tunstall, who had big success with songs like 'Suddenly I see', and 'Other Side Of The World.' Other guests will include vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and respected trombonist Rico Rodriguez.
After a two year break shaggy-haired comic Ross Noble is back doing what he does best with a new live tour, Mindblender. Noble is a stand-up like no other in that his shows are nearly completely ad-libbed and improvised, seeing the scruffy northerner often get lost in his own tangents with hilarious consequences. He'll segue from spotting faces in muffins to covering owls with blankets, from serving ice creams with sponge hands to covering Jack Bauer of 24 in goose fat. It's not the most linear show you'll likely to see and Ross will often be distracted by his own routine, but the journey he takes his audience on will be like none other before. "The most engaging British stand-up to have emerged since Eddie Izzard" (Daily Telegraph) and "the most brilliant stand-up of his generation" (Sunday Telegraph), Noble is "comic genius" (Evening Standard).
Bringing a host of TV programmes to life including the Great British Bake Off, Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef: The Professionals, the BBC Good Food Show comes to Olympia for three days this November. Plus, there's local and seasonal produce in the Producers' Village, a handpicked selection of London's best eateries in the Restaurant Experience, MasterChef Skills Pod featuring finalists from this year's TV Show and the Drinks Tasting Theatre & Fine Wine Experience.