From a reinvented monster classic to a chart-climbing pop star’s latest album, this week’s cultural selections span the gamut of cinema, live music, theatre and beyond. Director Lee Cronin brings his horror expertise to The Mummy, whilst ex-One Direction star Zayn returns with fresh R&B material. Whether you’re seeking a night out at the cinema, a concert performance or a theatre production in the West End, or choosing to stay in with the latest streaming releases and video game launches, our comprehensive guide has you covered. Read on to uncover the unmissable cultural highlights heading your way over the next week, designed to guarantee you won’t miss a single moment of the week’s finest entertainment.
Cinema: Latest Scares and Bold Reimaginings
Lee Cronin, the Irish director behind the highly praised indie horror The Hole in the Ground and the commercially successful Evil Dead Rises, brings his unique creative perspective to a new interpretation on The Mummy. Rather than a straightforward remake, Cronin’s interpretation follows a journalist and his wife as they are brought back together with their child after eight years of being missing in the desert, with deeply unsettling consequences. Jack Reynor and Laia Costa star in what promises to be a compelling reimagining of the classic monster schlocker, showcasing Cronin’s skill at crafting genuine dread and tension.
Beyond Cronin’s scary movie, this week’s movie selection offers a wide range of compelling dramas and psychological portraits. Olivier Assayas’s The Wizard of the Kremlin showcases an bold suspense film starring Jude Law as Vladimir Putin, alongside Paul Dano as a made-up communications strategist, drawn from a award-winning book. Meanwhile, Christian Petzold’s Miroirs No 3 offers a quieter, more personal story, with Paula Beer giving a nuanced performance as a concert pianist in training healing after trauma in remote rural setting. Brian Cox also steps behind the camera for the first time with Glenrothan, a lighthearted look of familial reconciliation set in Scotland.
- Lee Cronin’s The Mummy brings together a family with dark paranormal consequences in the desert.
- Jude Law takes on the role of Putin in Olivier Assayas’s audacious political dramatic thriller.
- Christian Petzold’s Miroirs No 3 follows a pianist’s path to recovery through rural landscapes.
- Brian Cox directs his debut feature about estranged Scottish brothers seeking redemption.
Live Musical Performance: Spanning Afrobeats to Experimental Jazz
This week’s upcoming music calendar offers something for every discerning ear, from engaging Afrobeats performances to experimental classical reimaginings. The American-Ghanaian singer Amaarae delivers her unique fusion of Afrobeats, alt-pop and techno to London’s Roundhouse on 23 April, promising a completely immersive audio experience. Those attending should be aware of the strict all-black dress code requirement, creating an extra layer of theatrical anticipation to what looks set to be a unforgettable night of contemporary music.
Classical music enthusiasts will find equally engaging offerings this week. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment offers a programme of English early twentieth-century masterworks by Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Peter Warlock, reconceived through advanced technology. Working alongside immersive experience specialists Squidsoup, the foremost period-instrument ensemble will perform with a custom-built Concrete Voids 3D sound system, converting the Queen Elizabeth Hall itself into an instrument and creating an completely new listening experience.
Notable Shows This Week
- Amaarae at Roundhouse, London, 23 April: Alternative pop, afrobeats and electronic techno fusion with mandatory black dress code.
- Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at Queen Elizabeth Hall, 22 April: Early 20th-century classics with immersive three-dimensional sound.
- Dry Cleaning performing until 25 April: Unconventional art-rock with hypnotic vocals and post-punk qualities throughout performances.
- Post-punk revival acts showcase gloriously unconventional takes on experimental noise and musical storytelling this week.
Dry Cleaning continues their gruelling tour programme, bringing their wonderfully unconventional art-rock to venues across the UK through 25 April, opening in Dublin. Their January-released Secret Love demonstrates the band’s unique blend of post-punk’s raw passion for noise with Florence Shaw’s mesmerising vocal performance, creating an completely singular sonic landscape that transcends traditional genre boundaries and justifies sustained engagement.
Visual Arts: Immersive Installations and Museum Introductions
This week’s contemporary art landscape offers a rich mix of immersive installations and major gallery premieres that promise to engage viewers seeking cutting-edge creative encounters. From advanced digital works to conventional painting shows, galleries across the country are showcasing works that challenge conventional perceptions of space, materiality and audience participation. These shows demonstrate the breadth of contemporary artistic practice, ranging from established artists exploring new mediums to emerging practitioners making their gallery debut for the first time.
The week ahead offers particularly strong possibilities for those interested in experimental approaches to visual storytelling. A number of spaces are emphasising interactive and immersive elements, reshaping passive museum visits into active participatory engagements. Whether through expansive large-scale installations, intimate solo-artist shows or thematic collective shows, the current programming indicates a broader curatorial movement towards establishing spaces that stimulate multiple sensory modes and invite reflective, sustained viewing rather than cursory gallery visits.
| Exhibition | Venue & Dates |
|---|---|
| Digital Futures: Contemporary Installation Art | Barbican Centre, London; Through 30 April |
| Colour and Form: Abstract Explorations | Whitechapel Gallery, London; 19 April – 2 June |
| Emerging Voices: New Institutional Commissions | Serpentine Galleries, London; Opens 22 April |
| Spatial Narratives: Photography and Place | The Photographers’ Gallery, London; Through 25 May |
Gallery-goers should give priority to reserving time slots in advance for the highly sought-after exhibitions, especially the immersive installations which function within restricted numbers to guarantee optimal viewing conditions. Many venues are offering later opening times this week to accommodate demand, making it feasible to combine gallery visits with other evening entertainment options across the city’s lively arts scene.
Theatre and Dance: Genuine Narratives and Welcoming Movement Practices
This week’s stage productions showcase a striking blend of personal character explorations and ambitious ensemble pieces that are designed to engage audiences throughout London and the wider region. From darkly humorous examinations of domestic conflict to moving stories examining contemporary social anxieties, the stage is brimming with productions that prioritise authentic storytelling and emotional resonance. Directors are progressively creating theatre that draws audiences into profoundly intimate spaces, crafting performances that feels urgent and relevant to contemporary existence.
Dance programming continues to be equally vibrant, with companies promoting inclusive physical vocabularies and multiple choreographic viewpoints. Several performances scheduled feature partnerships involving seasoned and developing artists, fostering creative dialogue that challenges conventions and challenges conventional notions of physicality and expression. Whether you’re interested in experimental work that defies genre definitions or classic narratives presented through fresh perspectives, the coming week offers theatre and dance that prioritises artistic integrity and substantial viewer connection.
Theatrical Performances That Deserve Your Attention
- An intimate family drama investigating healing and hidden secrets with subtle performances and incisive dialogue across the piece.
- A movement-based theatrical piece combining dance, spoken word and multimedia elements to deliver an engaging multi-sensory experience.
- A modern reinterpretation of a traditional work showcasing an all-women cast and daring creative choices.
Streaming, Gaming and Music: Entertainment in Your Home
For those choosing to remain comfortably at home this week, the digital entertainment landscape offers compelling alternatives across video streaming, gaming catalogues and audio releases. From acclaimed TV dramas to indie game releases, there’s considerable variety catering to varied tastes and moods. Video platforms maintain their aggressive release schedules, whilst gaming platforms showcase both blockbuster titles and innovative indie projects that deserve attention. This blend of high-calibre material means staying-in options needn’t feel like a second-best choice—it’s genuinely competitive with traditional going-out experiences.
Music launches this week span genres and generations, with veteran performers and emerging talents alike unveiling projects deserving your attention. The week also delivers fresh gaming experiences ranging from narrative-driven adventures to competitive multiplayer offerings, guaranteeing gamers of all tastes discover something compelling. Meanwhile, streaming platforms offer original drama, comedy and documentary series that’s been attracting substantial interest. Whether you’re beginning a gaming session over the weekend, exploring fresh music or streaming the newest acclaimed shows, home entertainment provides authentic excellence and diversity.
Latest Releases Spanning Platforms
- Zayn’s latest R’n’B album delivers slinky, loved-up tracks highlighting the former 1D member’s musical evolution.
- A leading digital service releases an critically praised drama series with ensemble cast performances and sharp scriptwriting.
- Indie gaming studio launches long-awaited puzzle-adventure title blending narrative depth with innovative gameplay mechanics.
- Documentary series exploring modern-day societal challenges launches on major digital platform with widespread praise.
- Established musician unveils surprise EP featuring unexpected collaborations and bold musical explorations throughout.
This week’s entertainment at home demonstrates that remaining at home no longer means missing out on quality cultural experiences. The sheer breadth of new releases—from Zayn’s sultry R’n’B album to groundbreaking gaming projects and premium TV—guarantees something resonates with every viewer, listener, and player. Whether you’re looking for escapist content or intellectually stimulating material, online platforms offer compelling reasons to relax at home.