The must-see: Janet Jackson
September 28 & 29, the O2, theo2.co.uk
The legendary Jackson sister is back in London for her Together Again tour, celebrating an extraordinary 50 years in entertainment as well as the 35th anniversary of the seminal album, Rhythm Nation. She is playing the O2 this weekend — with support from Wyclef Jean on the second night — and will be sure to have us dancing All Nite.
The art fix: Michael Craig-Martin
Open now, The Royal Academy of Arts, royalacademy.org.uk
The RA is celebrating one of the most influential figures in British art over the past half century. Craig-Martin is not just an acclaimed artist, moving between pop, minimalism and conceptual work, but he helped shape the cultural landscape at Goldsmiths College teaching YBAs including Damien Hirst. This is the largest exhibition of his work ever held in Britain. And it’s good.
The big read: Intermezzo, Sally Rooney
Out now
The leading light among the new wave of Irish novelists, Sally Rooney returns with her fourth book in seven years. Intermezzo is the tale of two brothers, their lives and their loves. Rooney is as hot as hot properties get in literature. Win the admiration of your friends by displaying a copy prominently on your shelf. Who knows, you might enjoy the book too. She’s a star for a reason.
The hot table: Sesta
52 Wilton Way, E8, @sesta.dining
Most birds lack the recuperation prowess of a phoenix, but there’s life for Pidgin yet, which became a Hackney favourite for its neat conceit, a menu that changed completely each week. Now, former head chef Drew Snaith and general manager Hannah Kowalski have reunited to open Sesta on the same site. The weekly menu schtick is gone; in its place comes seasonal British/European cooking and some Southeast Asian influences.
Listen: The Louis Theroux podcast, series three
Out now
Documentary maker, interviewer and occasional rapper Theroux is back for a third season of his podcast, following on from his lockdown hit Grounded. And he can still pull in the heavy hitters: the line-up this time around includes Barry Keoghan, Mia Khalifa, Trevor Noah and Katie Price of all people. Knowing Theroux, the resulting conversations are likely to be fascinating.
Screen gems
The Penguin
Sky Atlantic, available now
A Batman show without Batman? It shouldn’t work but somehow The Penguin is simply superb. Normally one of the Caped Crusader’s sillier foes, he has been turned into a terrifying mob boss in this five-star extravaganza on Sky. Colin Farrell is totally unrecognisable under layers of prosthetics and, channelling Don Corleone and Tony Soprano, gives a chilling performance that should see him winning it all come awards season.
The Outrun
In cinemas September 27
Based on Amy Liptrot’s memoir about returning to her native Orkneys from London to recover from addiction, Saoirse Ronan puts in a moving performance as Rona, the woman looking to the natural world to restore her to life and heal old wounds. The strong cast includes stand-out turns by Paapa Essiedu and the ever-superb Saskia Reeves, with Orkney’s stunning landscapes also playing an impressive supporting role.
Don’t miss: Ikoyi x Jan
October 6, 180 Strand, WC2R, ikoyilondon.com
On October 6, two-Michelin-starred Ikoyi welcomes into its kitchens Jan Hartwig, the three-Michelinstarred chef behind the celebrated restaurant Jan in Munich, for a collaborative lunch and dinner. The menu fuses together Ikoyi’s focus on elevated West African flavours — mostly in the spicing —and Jan’s refined German and modern European creations, all coalescing around seasonal autumnal ingredients and caviar supplied by N25. A decadent blow-out meal, no doubt about it, but it’s one not to miss.
Book now: The Devil Wears Prada
Previews from October 24, Dominion Theatre, devilwearspradamusical.com
Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel was turned into a hit film starring Meryl Streep as the boss from hell at a fashion magazine, and now is getting the musical treatment from none other than Sir Elton John. The show struts into the Dominion Theatre for previews next month. Taking on the mantle of iconically poisonous Miranda Priestly, editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, is Vanessa Williams, star of Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives.
