‘I drove a tank and went to Bratislava with my hairdresser’: how Ian Smith turbocharged his standup

Kate Middleton and Prince William made a stylish appearance at the Royal Variety Performance in London on November 19, wearing matching velvet outfits. This event marked their first red carpet outing in some time, showcasing their coordinated fashion sense and public presence as a royal couple.

The Wizard of Oz, reviewed at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, features a modern update by Sonia Jalaly. The story follows 13-year-old Dorothy, played by Nimi Spiff, who dreams of escaping the Lake District for London amidst personal grief. A brewing storm alters her plans, leading her on a journey of self-discovery filled with lively songs and humor.

The Design Museum in London showcases 'Wes Anderson: The Archives,' featuring 700 objects including costumes from 'The Fantastic Mr Fox,' a model of the Grand Budapest Hotel, and numerous stop-motion puppets. The exhibition highlights the detail-oriented style of director Wes Anderson, known for his unique storytelling and visual aesthetics.

The musical 'Precipice,' staged at New Diorama in London, explores climate disaster through two narratives set centuries apart. The story unfolds in a tower block overlooking a flooded Thames, where the residents face the consequences of a biomedical waste dump. The production features an electro-folk sound and presents a fragmented storyline that leaves the timeline ambiguous until the mention of the year 2425.

BarbieLand is set to debut in London as an immersive experience, developed by Secret Cinema and TodayTix in collaboration with Mattel and Warner Bros. If finalized, the event will run for eight weeks next summer, bringing the vibrant world of Barbie to life in the UK capital.

Edmund de Waal, a renowned potter and writer, has transformed his long-standing fascination with Danish ceramicist Axel Salto into a new exhibition. Salto is known for his unsettling stoneware, characterized by tentacle-like sproutings and knotty growths. De Waal's studio, located in a repurposed gun factory in London, serves as a creative space where he produces his works and writes. The exhibition reflects de Waal's deep engagement with Salto's unique aesthetic and the emotional resonance of ceramics.

Janus Films has unveiled the official US trailer for 'Magellan', the latest film by Filipino director Lav Diaz, which has received positive reviews at various international film festivals, including Cannes and TIFF. The film stars Gael García Bernal as Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who embarks on a perilous journey across the Pacific Ocean to the Malay Archipelago. The narrative explores themes of obsession, power, and the harsh realities faced by the crew during their expedition, presenting the colonization of the Philippines as a profound encounter with the unknown.

Sadie Sink, known for her role in 'Stranger Things', is set to make her West End debut in a production of 'Romeo and Juliet'. She will star alongside British actor Noah Jupe, with the production directed by Olivier award-winner Robert Icke. Sink, who began her career on stage, expressed excitement about performing in one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, highlighting the vibrant energy of London theatre. The production is scheduled to open in March 2025.