Going 0ut: Cinema
Talk to Me
Out now
A group of teenagers use an embalmed hand to conjure spirits from the beyond, in the kind of “surely you would never …” scenario that always turns out so well for characters in horror films, although not always with such entertaining results for the audience as in this spry and watchable Australian debut.
The Virgin Suicides
Out now
Back in 1999, well before Lost in Translation and Marie Antoinette, Sofia Coppola made her debut with the stunningly assured Virgin Suicides, adapted from the acclaimed novel about the Lisbon sisters by Jeffrey Eugenides. A dreamy, tragic coming-of-age story with a knockout score by Air, it’s well worth a trip to the cinema to see this restoration on the big screen.
The Beanie Bubble
Out now
Starring Zach Galifianakis, Elizabeth Banks and Sarah Snook and based on the 2015 book The Great Beanie Baby Bubble by Zac Bissonnette, this comedy-drama from Kristin Gore and Damian Kulash explores the crazed gold rush that saw clueless investors contribute to the inflation of one of the greatest market bubbles of all time.
Lars von Trier retrospective
Curzon cinemas nationwide, 4 August to 1 September
Including Breaking the Waves, The Idiots and Melancholia, this season dedicated to the celebratedcinema’s Danish enfant terrible represents either a chance to revisit some of the most impactful films ever committed to film, or – even better – engage with the work for the first time on the big screen. Catherine Bray
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Going out: Gigs
Wilderness
Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, 3 to 6 August
In need of escapism? You could do worse than heading to the Oxfordshire countryside for this dance-leaning festival featuring headliners the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, alongside DJs such as Honey Dijon and DJ Paulette. Art-pop practitioner Christine and the Queens will also be on hand to add some theatricality.
Wizkid
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, 29 July
The Afrobeats superstar, whose list of collaborators reads like a who’s who of rap and R&B, (Drake, Beyoncé, Dave, to name just three), arrives in London for a massive one-off stadium show as part of his extended tour in support of last year’s fifth album, More Love, Less Ego. Michael Cragg
Courtney Pine
Jazz Cafe, London, 4 & 5 August
For more than 30 years, the UK saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist has shifted boundaries, crossing over into ska, hip-hop, drum’n’bass and beyond. Above all, he is still a thrilling virtuoso, as his live shows confirm. John Fordham
Kafka’s Earplugs
Royal Albert Hall, London, 3 August
Prom 26 offers the first notable premiere in a generally lacklustre Proms season season for new works. The BBC Philharmonic perform Gerald Barry’s score, which takes its cue from Franz Kafka’s habit of wearing earplugs to shut out the noise of the world around him. The listener, says Barry, “is hearing the world’s sounds as he heard them. You are inside his head.” Andrew Clements
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Going out: Art
Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
The Walker’s excellent collection of European art from the 14th to 17th centuries has been given a new hang in refurbished galleries. Highlights include portraits by Lavinia Fontana, considered the first female career artist; the Sienese painter Simone Martini’s precociously realistic and touching scene, Christ Discovered in the Temple, painted in 1342; and a disconcerting portrait of Henry VIII.
Peter Howson
City Art Centre, Edinburgh to 1 October
The muscular Scottish painter gets a stuffed retrospective spanning four floors of this gallery to mark his 65th year. Howson paints in a hyperbolic yet precise way that is both surreal and expressive. His themes range from war to Christianity to Covid. Expect to be shocked and nauseated by some of the imagery.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan
Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh, to 30 September
A film installation about the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, founded in 1904, which serves communities on both sides of the border between the USA and Canada. It is a space between states, an anomalous entity that literally straddles the border line where two languages, English and French, blend.
Young V&A
Bethnal Green, London
The Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood will be remembered by many as a nostalgic collection of old toys with everything from Victorian dolls’ houses to Action Man. But now it has reopened as this highly participatory, energetically interactive new museum where kids can play and learn on their own terms. Jonathan Jones
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Going out: Stage
Edinburgh festival fringe
Various venues, 4 to 28 August
The centrepiece of the British comedy calendar is finally upon us, and while there have been some hiccups –this year – including its star-making Edinburgh comedy awards briefly losing funding – Edinburgh’s fringe remains unmatched in its sprawl, diversity and comic variety, with 2023’s highlights including a reflective Frank Skinner and the wildly of-the-moment Patti Harrison. Rachel Aroesti
Crazy for You
Gillian Lynne theatre, London, to 20 January
Charlie Stemp stars as the banking heir who puts on a razzmatazz show to win over his love. The plot is barmy, but who cares with Gershwin’s lush score, a zinging book from Ken Ludwig and such sumptuous choreography? Miriam Gillinson
The Lord of the Rings
Watermill theatre, nr Newbury, to 15 October
Paul Hart’s production of Paul Hart directs Tolkien’s epic adventure, which will unfold across the Watermill’s stage and gardens, with giant roaming puppets and the audience immersed in Middle-earth. With music from Tony award winner AR Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire). MG
The Australian Ballet
Royal Opera House, London, 2 to 5 August
With no summer seasons from the big Russian companies, there is a chance to welcome other international dancers. Melbourne’s Australian Ballet will be showing some dazzling technique in George Balanchine’s Jewels. There’s also a gala of old and new to works to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary. Lyndsey Winship
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Staying in: Streaming
Heartstopper
3 August, Netflix
This incredibly sweet adaptation of Alice Oseman’s incredibly sweet graphic novel series about a budding romance between two schoolboys had hit written all over it from the off, and its rapturous reception and instant global ubiquity has edged it into TV-phenomenon territory. Now it’s back for season two, with Nick and Charlie a giddily loved-up item.
Wolf
31 July, 9pm, BBC One & iPlayer
Be warned: this is not your run-of-the-mill, cosily gruesome primetime police procedural. Based on the novel by Mo Hayder, Wolf strays into full-on horror as it documents the prolonged torture of a wealthy family by two apparent psychopaths (Sacha Dhawan and Iwan Rheon). Can DI Jack Caffery track them down before it’s too late?
Confessions of a Cam Girl
31 July, 10pm, Channel 4
The sale of explicit photos, videos and chat is a hot topic right now, bringing with it a still-evolving set of moral dilemmas. This two-part doc follows five women making a living in the modern world of sex work, getting the inside scoop on the craft, the hazards and the all-important cash.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart
4 August, Prime Video
Dramatisations of dark, female-centric thrillers featuring at least one Hollywood star tend to be a safe bet for the the streaming age, and with their binge-friendly twists and atmospheric portent it’s not hard to see whyage. This one features Sigourney Weaver as an Australian farmer whose granddaughter comes to live with her after a puzzling family tragedy. RA
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Staying in: Games
Venba
Out 31 July, Nintendo Switch
In this cooking game about food and family, an Indian mother tries to figure out family recipes from a smudged cookbook after moving her family to Canada.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
Out now, Apple Arcade
It’s Animal Crossing, but with Hello Kitty mascots. So sweet that looking at it makes your teeth hurt, but don’t tell me this doesn’t sound appealing. Keza MacDonald
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Staying in: Albums
Beverly Glenn-Copeland – The Ones Ahead
Out now
Self-released in 1986, Glenn-Copeland’s cult Keyboard Fantasies album was rediscovered in 2015 leading to a career renaissance for the Philadelphia-born singer-songwriter. The Ones Ahead marks his first studio album in almost 20 years and is anchored by the beautiful Harbour (Song for Elizabeth), a dedication to his wife.
Georgia – Euphoric
Out now
On this third album, Georgia opens up her creative process. With co-production from former Vampire Weekender Rostam, the correctly titled Euphoric is infused with both big dance bangers and heartfelt songwriting.
Post Malone – Austin
Out now
Thirteen months after Twelve Carat Toothaches, New York singer-rapper-walking tattoo Post Malone returns with his fifth album. The guitar-focused Chemical and Mourning showcase a softer, more self-reflective sound, while notorious Swedish hitmaker Max Martin joins regular collaborator Louis Bell on production duties.
Anne-Marie – Unhealthy
Out now
Essex’s finest karate champion turned pop star returns with a third album of bolshy bangers with a beating heart. Rapper Aitch assists on the Mambo No 5-esque hit Psycho, while country-pop queen Shania Twain crops up on the thigh-slapping title track. The jaunty Sad Bitch, meanwhile, is about shaking off sadness and focusing on “getting rich”. MC
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Staying in: Brain food
Borrowed
Podcast
Librarians might not seem like the most likely podcast hosts but this fascinating series from Brooklyn Public Library proves otherwise. Each episode examines the library’s differing communities, from asylum seekers to teens going offline.
National Trust
YouTube
More than merely share drone footage of the National Trust’s many properties, its YouTube account hosts a range of unusual finds, including historical recipe demos, panel discussions on conservation, and literary tours.
Nothing Compares
Saturday, Sky Documentaries
This detailed, absorbing film from director Kathryn Ferguson charts singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor’s rise to fame using masses of archive footage. It also highlights how the social justice causes she so controversially fought for have since become mainstream. Ammar Kalia
