Autumn culture guide for London: get the lowdown on the highbrow

Clear the diary! Check out all the must-see cultural highlights in London this Autumn, from ballet and comedy to festivals and theatre.

ART & EXHIBITONS

Tim Burton at the Design Museum
The World of Tim Burton

There’s much for culture vultures to get excited about this Autumn, but Muddy’s particularly looking forward to seeing The World of Tim Burton at the Design Museum (25 Oct 2024 – 21 April 2025, tickets £19.69). Famous for his brilliantly weird movies (Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Beetle Juice), the famous film director, producer and writer’s also an illustrator, painter, photographer and author, so the exhibition’s display of his personal archives of from childhood to present day (including photos, sketchbooks, moving-image works, sculptural installations and costume design) will be a fascinating insight into his mind. Well worth the ticket price.

We’ll also be heading to the new Hew Locke: What Have We Here? exhibition at the British Museum (17 Oct, 2024-9Feb, 2025, tickets £12), which sees the Guyanese-British artist explore (and challenge) British Imperialism through a carefully curated collection of objects from the museum’s collections. Think the earliest surviving drawings of Indigenous Americans to a Guyanese Akawaio feather headdress. Thought provoking stuff.

Imaginary Institution of India at the Barbican
Image: Gieve Patel

A landmark exhibition hits the Barbican this Autumn (5 Oct 2024 – 5 Jan 2025, tickets £16), in the form of The Imaginary Institution of India: Art 1975–1998. Featuring the work of more than 30 Indian artists between two transformative events in the country’s history (Indira Gandhi’s declaration of a state of emergency in 1975 and the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998 FYI), a range of mediums are used to portray everything from love and religion to caste, community, and protest. It’s the first communal exhibition to cover these definitive years, with many works never before seen in the UK, so book your tickets asap.

The National Portrait Gallery’s rolling out the big guns in October with the opening of Francis Bacon: Human Presence (10 Oct 2024-19 Jan 2025, tickets £23), the first exhibition to focus solely on the artist’s portraits for almost 20 years. Featuring more than 55 works from the 1940s onwards, it’s must-see for Bacon fans. At the National Gallery next door we’ll be getting tickets to view Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers (14 Sept 2024 – 19 Jan 2025, tickets £24), and yes, it does include his most recognised work the sunflowers, chair, yellow house and starry night.

Turbine Hall at Tate Modern
Turbine Hall © Rikard Österlund

Want more? Of course you do, in which case you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s a new exhibition, The I and The You, featuring works by influential Brazilian artist Lygia Clark at Whitechapel Gallery next month (2 Oct 2024 – 12 Jan 2025) plus Mire Lee’s Turbine Hall Commission at Tate Modern (9 Oct – 16 March, free) – watch this (giant) space.

Oh and this just in, an exhibit dedicated to Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe is coming to town! Offering a peek behind the blonde bombshell, over 250 historical objects will be on display at The Arches London Bridge (from 18 Oct), we’re talking handwritten notes, childhood drawings, letters, family photographs, books, scripts and props from her films. A UK premiere and a first of its kind exhibit, this is a must visit.

As is, Vogue: Inventing the Runway, an immersive new exhibit of spectacular proportions exploring the history of the fashion runway show. From small intimate showcases to big blow out pop culture moments, this beauty covers it all. You’ll get drawn into the madness of backstage, be able to pull up a seat on the FROW and live out your best Anna Wintour dream, Lightbox King’s Cross (25 Oct- 30 Mar 2025).

The arrival of Autumn spells more than the falling of leaves and pumpkin spiced lattes, it also means the annual Frieze Art Fair (9-13 Oct, tickets from £60) in Regents Park. If you’ve never been, it’s time to put on your roll neck and statement specs, because this is one of the world’s biggest, most influential contemporary art fairs, featuring hundreds of works from some of the most exciting artists and galleries in the world today. Open to the general public, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with curators, artists, collectors, gallerists and critics as you peruse the galleries and perhaps even purchase a work of art or two (pay day permitting).

THEATRE

Vanessa Williams in the Devil Wears Prada

Muddy’s main focus of attention in theatre land this Autumn is the arrival of The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre, with music by Elton John. This should be enough to get you into heels and through the door, but if you do need further enticement, we can reveal it’s starring Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives) as scary editor Miranda Priestly, and Amy Di Bartolomeo (Six) as Emily, who gets her first job at Runway magazine in New York. Can. Not. Wait.

Stardust will also be sprinkled around The Royal Court Theatre when John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the SunThe Crown) takes on the role of beloved yet controversial author Roald Dahl in the world premiere of Giant (Fri 20 Sept – Sat 16 Nov). Directed by the legendary Nicholas Hytner (responsible for theatre hits One Man Two Guvnors and The History Boys and films including The Madness of King George and The Crucible), it promises a darkly humorous exploration of a challenging period in Dahl’s life, focusing on the aftermath of an antisemitic article he wrote.

Dr Strangelove

More dark comedy to be had at the Noel Coward Theatre when actor and comedian Steve Coogan appears in an adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove next month (from 8 Oct, tickets from £62.50). Considered a comedy masterpiece and based on a rogue US General who triggers a nuclear crisis, it’s brought to the stage by acclaimed, BAFTA and Emmy Award winner Armando Iannucci and Olivier Award winner Sean Foley. Go see.

David Oyelowo in Coriolanus

We’re also keen to catch David Oyelowo in Coriolanus at the National Theatre (11 Sept-9 Nov, tickets £20), for obvious reasons. HIS ACTING TALENT, OK?

For more must-see theatre this Autumn, check out A-Listers On Stage.

FESTIVALS

Florence Given: Women behaving deliciously
Florence Given

The season of floral headbands, warm cider and watching bands in a meadow might be drawing to a close, but not all festivals take place in a muddy field ya know. The capital’s home to a host of urban fests year-round, including the rather fabulous London Literature Festival (23 Oct-4 Nov) at South Bank Centre. There’s a packed schedule of events, but the one that caught Muddy’s eye is Florence Given: Women Living Deliciously (27 Oct, tickets £15) where the author chats about her new book, an illustrated guide ‘helping women to tap into joy, discover a sense of agency and live life to the full’. Yes please.

Last year’s BFI London Film Festival highlights

Another festival where Hunter wellies aren’t required is the BFI London Film Festival (9-20 Oct). Now in it’s 68th year, it’s always epic, from the red carpets awash with celebs to the chance to see some of the world’s best new films, series and immersive storytelling. The full programme’s released 4 Sept and public tickets, from £10, go on sale 17 Sept.

Meanwhile CelebrASIA Festival (13-15 Sept, free) at Battersea Power Station is, you’ve guessed it from the cunning name clever clogs, a celebration of all things South East Asian, including elephant sculptures, kites, hundreds of lanterns hanging under Grosvenor Bridge, immersive Beca and Tuk Tuk installations in Turbine Hall A, artisan markets, live DJ sets from Half East Records and (the best bit) some amazing street food from the likes of APOY, Banh Mi Bay, Chick’N’Sours, Eat Lah, FiliGallz, Hanoi Ca Phe and Kasa and Kin.

London Mural Festival
London Mural Festival

Didn’t manage to catch any of the new Banksy’s that briefly appeared in London last month? Fear not, because there’s more street art than you can shake a spray can at thanks to the London Mural Festival (5-29 Sept), showcasing 100 amazing murals across the capital, with a busy programme or workshops and events too.

And finally, don’t miss the London Podcast Festival 2024 (5-15 Sept) at Kings Place, which is now in its ninth year and promises some really funny, informative chats, including The Guilty Feminist, with Deborah Frances-White and co-host Jess Fostekew chatting to special guest Dawn O’Porter (8 Sept, 7pm, tickets £16.50)Dish with Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett (12 Sept) and I WEIGH with Jameela Jamil (12 Sept).

BALLET & OPERA

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Royal Opera House
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the Royal Opera House

There’s a buzz about ballet thanks to Christopher Wheeldon’s adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the Royal Opera House (28 Sept-6 July 2025, tickets from £10). We’ve even had requests from teens to see this, so it’s clearly the hot ticket in town.

Handel's Messiah

Would it even be Christmas without a performance of Handel’s Messiah? Book Wild Art’s performance now to kick off that festive tingly feeling Sat 7 Dec at 7pm at the Smith Square Hall, Westminster – tickets from £25. Following a sell-out tour in 2023, Wild Arts bring their fresh, innovative staging of Handel’s legendary telling of the Christmas story to what promises to be an enthralling production.

Tutu
TUTU

Also loving the sound of TUTU at Sadler’s Wells Theatre (1-5 Oct, tickets from £18), a flamboyant homage to a dance world ‘that can sometimes take itself a little too seriously’ – think six dancers parodying 40 characters while decked out in ever-changing, crazier costumes. Love.

There are still a few tickets available to see the love story of Violetta and Alfredo unfold in La Traviata, showing at the Royal Opera House (7-17 Sept, tickets from £64), while Verdi’s Rigoletto opens at London Coliseum (30 Oct-21 Nov, tickets from £13). Jonathan Miller’s production of this fast-paced gangster saga of jealousy, love and revenge in 50s New York shines.

COMEDY

Catherine Bohart
Catherine Bohart

First off, there’ll be belly laughs aplenty at one-off show A Night of Comedy With Jo Brand And Friends a the Comedy Store (10 Sept, tickets £25) to raise money for the Katie Piper Foundation. Giggles provided by Jo, plus a line-up including Laura Smyth, SlimAndy Askins and MC Lee Peart acting as MC.

More laughs later in September at Material Girls Comedy (23 Sept, entry £8.99) at Angel Comedy Club. A monthly event featuring non-male comedians only (shock), expect cocktails, prizes, TV stars and a lot of laughter, hosted by Sascha LO and Aisha Amanduri.

Grace Campbell is on Heat

Psst. Some of our comedy favourites have been touring through summer and will be finishing their run in London this Autumn, including Ben Elton: Authentic Stupidity at the London Lyceum (18 Nov, tickets £38.95), Catherine Bohart: Again, With Feelings at the London Bloomsbury Theatre (10 Oct, tickets £17) and Grace Campbell is on Heat at the London Apollo (24 Nov, tickets £30.25).

And if you loved This is Going to Hurt (Muddy loved the book and the TV adaptation), you’ll want to catch Adam Kay’s latest show Undoctored? playing for one night only at the New Wimbledon Theatre (18 Nov, tickets from £27).

MUSIC

The Last Dinner Party
The Last Dinner Party

You could go to a gig every night of the week in London, but some stand out more than others, like Dua Lipa playing the Royal Albert Hall (17 Oct, tickets from £578). Tickets were selling faster than, err Oasis tickets, when we last checked, but Viagogo does appear to still has some eye-wateringly expensive seats if you’re feeling flush.

Lizzy McAlpine’s star is in the ascendent – she’s collab’d with lots of the industry’s biggest names (think Niall Horan’s You Could Start A Cult), has released new album Older and now you can see her at the Evintrum Apollo (25 Oct, tickets £49.50). Also at the Evintrum are flamboyant Gen Z’rs Last Dinner Party (16-17 Oct) who have way more to offer than hit Nothing Matters (they won Rising Star Award at the Brits last Dec). Glam up, go see.

M
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