Hot tickets: What's on this weekend

 
A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Open Air Theatre. Photo: Alastair Muir
6 July 2012

WEEKEND COMEDY

Balham Comedy Festival

Veteran stand-up John Moloney has plundered his address book to put together this boutique festival. Highlights include Al Murray’s Pub Landlord (tonight) in an actual pub and Ardal O’Hanlon (tonight) showing that he’s much sharper than his Father Dougal persona. Look out for uninhibited newcomer Diane Spencer (tomorrow) previewing her Edinburgh show.

Until Sunday, The Bedford, SW12 (020 8682 8940, balhamcomedyfestival.com)

Live at the Chapel

Come and worship at the altar of great comedy at this Islington church. The emphasis is on quirkiness, with nervy footie fan Mark Watson headlining. Support comes from whimsy-fuelled Australian Claudia O’Doherty and offbeat songsmith Tom Basden. Old-school gags courtesy of Scotland’s Danny Bhoy, simply old gags courtesy of MC Arthur Smith.

Tomorrow, Union Chapel, N1 (08702 643333, liveatthechapel.co.uk)

Bruce Dessau

WEEKEND GIGS

Bloc Weekend

In its sixth year the electronic music festival moves, from its previous holiday camp homes to this new east London outdoor site. Headliners Orbital, Snoop Dogg and Richie Hawtin top a bill packed with intelligent electronica.

Today, tomorrow, London Pleasure Gardens, E16 (0845 0508258, blocweekend.com)

Gruff Rhys

The Super Furry Animals man plays last year’s solo album Hotel Shampoo in its entirety as part of Brynfest, a Welsh mini-Meltdown curated by the opera singer Bryn Terfel.

Tonight, Royal Festival Hall, SE1 (0844 875 0073, southbankcentre.co.uk)

Laura Marling

The new folk queen wraps up a year of promotion for her third album, A Creature I Don’t Know, with this high-profile show. A broadening of her sound, it comes complete with jazzy moments and loud bits.

Tomorrow, Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (020 7589 8212, royalalberthall.com)

Somerset House Summer Series

The annual season of big name gigs in grand surroundings begins tomorrow with comic pianist Tim Minchin and continues on Sunday with Mercury nominated dance star Katy B.

Until July 18, Somerset House, WC2 (0844 847 2461, somersethouse.org.uk/music)

Faith No More

They reached a commercial peak in 1992 with the single Midlife Crisis, before the long-running heavy rock band split later that decade. They’ve been back together on the nostalgia circuit since 2009.

Sun, HMV Apollo Hammersmith, W6 (0843 221 0100, hammersmithapollo.net)

David Smyth

WEEKEND THEATRE

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, NW1. In rep until September 5 (0844 826 4242, openairtheatre.com).

The Bard meets My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding in Matthew Dunster’s inventive staging.

HENRY V

Shakespeare’s Globe, SE1. In rep until August 26 (020 7401 9919, shakespearesglobe.com).

Jamie Parker gives a rousing fair-but-firm king in Dominic Dromgoole’s sharp production.

THE LAST OF THE HAUSSMANS

National’s Lyttelton, SE1. In rep until October 10 (020 7452 3000, nationaltheatre.org.uk).

Julie Walters is magnificent as a dying dippy hippy in Stephen Beresford’s family drama.

BIRTHDAY

Royal Court, SW1. Until August 4 (020 7565 5000, royalcourttheatre.com).

Stephen Mangan gives a fantastic performance as a man having a baby in Joe Penhall’s latest.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL

Cambridge, WC2. Booking until February 2013 (0844 800 1110, matildathemusical.com).

The RSC’s twist on Roald Dahl’s classic, with cheeky songs by Tim Minchin, is just the ticket for summer holiday outings.

WEEKEND EXHIBITIONS

EDVARD MUNCH: THE MODERN EYE

Tate Modern, SE1. Until October 14 (020 7887 8888, tate.org.uk)

No Scream but a lot of emotion in the lesser-known works.

INVISIBLE: ART ABOUT THE UNSEEN 1957-2012

Hayward Gallery, SE1. Until August 5 (0844 847 9910, southbankcentre.co.uk).

Playful show that makes us look a little harder at what is art.

THE QUEEN: ART AND IMAGE

National Portrait Gallery, WC2. Until October 21 (020 7306 0055, npg.org.uk)

How Her Majesty has been portrayed in the 60 years of her reign.

YOKO ONO: TO THE LIGHT

Serpentine, W2. Until September 9 (020 7402 6075, serpentinegallery.org).

New and old work that proves Ono is an enduringly significant artist.

PICASSO & MODERN BRITISH ART

Tate Britain, SW1. Until July 15 (020 7887 8888, tate.org.uk)

Admire the power of Pablo and his influence through two generations.

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