From Enid Blyton’s treasured fantasy adventure to stadium-packing Australian pop-rockers, this week’s entertainment calendar offers an option for all tastes. The Magic Faraway Tree adapts the classic children’s novel to the cinema with a impressive ensemble featuring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, whilst 5 Seconds of Summer embark on a UK tour that commences in Glasgow on 30 March ahead of visiting major cities such as Birmingham and London. Whether you’re after film entertainment, concerts, theatre, or cultural events, our comprehensive guide highlights the must-see occasions happening across the coming days. Read on to discover what’s worth your time and money this week.
Cinema Releases Worth Watching
This week’s film selections span a wonderful variety of categories, from family-friendly fantasy to provocative horror and thought-provoking documentary. The Magic Faraway Tree shines as a charming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved story, capturing the classic tale with strong performances and rural visual landscapes. Meanwhile, Those Will Kill You delivers a darkly comic examination on economic disparity through a horror framework, whilst Splitsville provides a refreshingly unconventional comedy exploring contemporary relationship issues. For those seeking intellectual stimulation, Raoul Peck’s Orwell documentary offers timely examination of how the author’s prescient warnings stay troublingly pertinent today.
The range on display this week guarantees that whatever your cinematic mood, there’s something to satisfy it. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly content that works for all ages, adrenaline-pumping scares, irreverent comedy or thoughtful documentary work, cinemas are well-stocked. These releases represent various strands of modern filmmaking, from big-budget studio productions to independent ventures. The quality of performances across these films—particularly Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy’s work in The Magic Faraway Tree—lifts the week’s selection beyond standard fare, making it an excellent time to venture out to your neighbourhood cinema.
- The Magic Faraway Tree: Enid Blyton adaptation starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy
- They Will Kill You: Dark comedy horror about wealth and demonic apartment dwellers
- Splitsville: Offbeat comedy series exploring consensual non-monogamy and modern relationships
- Orwell: 2+2 = 5: Documentary film on George Orwell’s lasting political relevance
Live Music and Performance Events
Stadium Tours and Significant Concert Events
Australian boyband 5 Seconds of Summer are bringing their arena tour to the UK this week, with dates in Glasgow, Birmingham and London spanning from 30 March to 5 April. The four-piece has progressed considerably since their initial period of One Direction-influenced pop-rock, venturing into experimental darker dance across their six albums. These performances are set to distil their extensive catalogue into an energetic 90-minute performance, offering fans a thorough exploration through their musical development and career highlights.
For those with a fondness for punk rock mayhem, the Manchester Punk Festival taking place 3 to 5 April presents an unmissable prospect to dive into the style’s raw energy. With over 140 bands performing across seven venues throughout the city, the festival serves every shade of punk enthusiasm imaginable. Headliners include the unflinching hardcore noise merchants Fucked Up and San Francisco’s Dead to Me, confirming that the festival lineup combines established acts with rising talent across the punk spectrum.
Classical and Specialised Music
The Barbican Hall in London hosts The Bad Plus on 30 March, honouring the lesser-known American Quartet fronted by pianist Keith Jarrett during the 1970s. Whilst Jarrett’s Standards Trio has attained legendary status amongst jazz enthusiasts, this ensemble merits comparable acclaim for their groundbreaking additions to the genre. Saxophonist Chris Potter and pianist Craig Taborn have reunited to honour that group’s memorable music, providing listeners with a rare opportunity to experience this significant period of jazz history delivered by musicians who grasp its significance intimately.
This period and specialist music programme represents a sophisticated counterpoint to the week’s mainstream entertainment choices, attracting knowledgeable music aficionados pursuing artistic richness and historical resonance. The Barbican’s intimate environment delivers the ideal location for appreciating the nuanced interplay between Potter and Taborn as they navigate the quartet’s complex compositions. For jazz aficionados and those interested in discovering outside typical mainstream music, this concert constitutes a genuine highlight of the week’s entertainment calendar.
- 5 Seconds of Summer: Australian pop group stadium tour throughout UK cities during the week
- Manchester Punk Festival: 140 bands at seven venues celebrating punk rock heritage
- The Bad Plus: Barbican Hall tribute to Keith Jarrett’s landmark 1970s era American jazz ensemble
Theatre Productions and Dance Performance
The week’s theatrical offerings deliver a diverse range of experiences for London’s theatre-goers, ranging from intimate West End productions to experimental performances in smaller venues. Dance enthusiasts will encounter equally compelling opportunities, with contemporary choreography challenging creative limits alongside more traditional ballet presentations. Should you desire thought-provoking drama, theatrical musical extravaganzas, or experimental physical theatre, this week’s theatre programme offers something to engage every artistic inclination. The capital’s performance venues remain committed to presenting both established talent and up-and-coming performers, confirming that the city’s arts scene stays dynamic and diverse for viewers desiring theatrical performances.
| Production | Details |
|---|---|
| West End Musicals | Long-running shows continue performances across major London theatres throughout the week |
| Contemporary Dance | Innovative choreography presented at Sadler’s Wells and other specialist dance venues |
| Drama Productions | New plays and classic revivals running at various London theatres and smaller studio spaces |
| Ballet Performances | Classical and neo-classical ballet offerings at the Royal Opera House and regional venues |
- West End musicals offer escapist entertainment for theatre lovers looking for impressive staging and design
- Contemporary dance extends artistic boundaries through innovative choreography and avant-garde physical expression
- Classic drama revivals provide audiences with enduring narratives staged by talented theatre companies
Art Shows Around the UK
The nation’s galleries are filled with compelling exhibitions this week, giving art enthusiasts an abundance of cultural experiences to experience. From modern artworks challenging perceptions of modern life to shows featuring established masters, Britain’s museums and galleries display the breadth of artistic achievement. Whether you’re drawn to cutting-edge conceptual work or classical masterpieces, the week ahead offers numerous opportunities to experience visual culture at venues stretching from London’s celebrated galleries to galleries beyond London. These exhibitions offer stimulating insights on everything from social issues to artistic technique, guaranteeing there’s something to inspire and stimulate every visitor.
Major exhibitions this week span varied artistic styles and mediums, with curators presenting carefully considered selections that promote new readings of established subjects and adventurous investigations of new territories. Photography, sculpture, painting, and multimedia works all appear extensively across the UK’s gallery landscape, reflecting the vibrant diversity of modern and classical artistic practice. Many venues offer extended opening hours and special evening events to accommodate varying schedules, whilst educational offerings and guided tours deliver richer understanding into the artworks presented. This week represents an excellent opportunity to encounter new artists, revisit beloved artworks, or encounter entirely new artistic perspectives that might stimulate and deepen your understanding of visual culture.
- Contemporary art installations exploring social commentary and contemporary self-expression across leading exhibition spaces
- Career retrospectives celebrating established artists’ careers and artistic evolution over many years
- Photography and mixed-media displays examining scenic work, portrait studies, and abstract concepts
- Longer operating times and curator-led visits available at participating museums and galleries across the country
Streaming, Gaming and Audio Entertainment
TV Premieres
This week’s streaming services provide captivating viewing for those wanting to remain at home. Several anticipated series are premiering across leading platforms, bringing original content that span genres from intense dramas to feel-good comedies. Whether you’re in search of deeply-drawn characters or narrative-heavy productions, the coming week provides diverse options to accommodate varying moods and preferences. Many platforms are dropping full seasons all at once, letting watchers to view according to their schedule, whilst others are staggering episodes weekly to keep audiences engaged and debate amongst audiences.
Original creations hold sway over streaming schedules, with substantial budgets and celebrated production talent behind many releases. International programming is becoming more visible, bringing diverse perspectives and storytelling traditions to British viewers. Documentary programmes examining contemporary issues sit alongside fictional narratives addressing complex themes, ensuring there’s meaningful depth alongside pure entertainment value. These releases constitute considerable spending in quality production, with technical craft, performances and writing often matching theatrical releases in ambition and execution.
Recent Music Releases
The coming week brings innovative musical content across multiple genres, from established artists releasing expected releases to up-and-coming artists making their debut. Streaming services are highlighting curated playlists featuring the most important new music, making exploring new sounds simple for listeners seeking new sounds. Whether you enjoy pop music, rock, hip-hop, electronic or alternative music, there’s plenty of fresh content to discover. Artists are using innovative distribution approaches, with some providing exclusive material to specific platforms or issuing tangible formats alongside digital versions, catering to varied listening preferences.
Music journalists and critics are already weighing in on the week’s most significant releases, with reviews helping listeners navigate the considerable volume of new material. Podcasts dedicated to music discussion offer comprehensive exploration of important releases, examining creative vision and cultural significance. Playlists on digital platforms organise themed selections, exposing audiences to songs they might overlook. Social media campaigns tied to launches build fan interaction, with fans posting responses and endorsements, encouraging discussion around new music throughout online spaces.
Video Games and Audio Shows
Gaming releases this week extend across multiple platforms, delivering everything from indie titles with creative mechanics to major franchise releases. Podcasts remain popular as sound-based content, with new episodes exploring entertainment news, cultural commentary, comedy and investigative journalism. Whether you’re keen on esports, story-focused games or casual mobile entertainment, there’s considerable content to explore. Podcast networks are broadening their collections with different viewpoints and perspectives, ensuring listeners can find content that genuinely appeals to their interests and intellectual curiosity.
- New independent games offering fresh game mechanics and unique visual aesthetics
- Podcast episodes showcasing conversations featuring entertainment industry figures and cultural analysts
- Leading franchise gaming releases accessible on console, PC, and mobile platforms
