From Enid Blyton’s cherished fantasy adventure to arena-filling Australian rock acts, this week’s entertainment calendar offers an option for all tastes. The Magic Faraway Tree adapts the classic children’s novel to the big screen with a star-studded cast including Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, whilst 5 Seconds of Summer launch a UK tour that commences in Glasgow on 30 March before hitting key destinations such as Birmingham and London. Whether you’re after cinema thrills, concerts, theatre, or cultural events, our detailed overview showcases the unmissable events happening across the coming days. Read on to find out what’s worth your time and money this week.
Film Releases Worth Your Time
This week’s film selections cover a delightful range of categories, from accessible fantasy films to challenging horror and thought-provoking documentary. The Magic Faraway Tree shines as a engaging rendition of Enid Blyton’s beloved story, bringing the beloved story to life with impressive casting and countryside cinematography. Meanwhile, Those Will Kill You presents a darkly satirical take on wealth inequality through a horror lens, whilst Splitsville provides a refreshingly unconventional film examining modern relationship dynamics. For those pursuing mental engagement, Raoul Peck’s Orwell documentary offers contemporary analysis of how the author’s prescient warnings stay troublingly pertinent today.
The selection on offer this week guarantees that no matter what films appeal to you, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly content that works for all ages, adrenaline-pumping scares, cheeky humour or thoughtful documentary work, cinemas are well-supplied. These releases showcase 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-inspired production starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy
- They Will Kill You: Horror satire about wealth and supernatural apartment inhabitants
- Splitsville: Unconventional comedy exploring ethical non-monogamy and contemporary romance
- Orwell: 2+2 = 5: Documentary film on George Orwell’s lasting political relevance
Live Music and Entertainment Performances
Large-scale Tours and Significant Concert Events
Australian boyband 5 Seconds of Summer are bringing their arena tour to the UK over the coming days, with dates in Glasgow, Birmingham and London running between 30 March to 5 April. The four-member group has progressed considerably since their early days of pop-rock influenced by One Direction, venturing into darker dance experiments across their six albums. These performances are set to condense their broad range of material into an energetic 90-minute performance, offering fans a thorough exploration through their musical development and career highlights.
For those with an appreciation of punk rock mayhem, the Manchester Punk Festival running from 3 to 5 April presents an unmissable opportunity to explore the genre’s raw energy. With over 140 bands playing across seven venues throughout the city, the festival serves every shade of punk enthusiasm imaginable. Headliners include the uncompromising hardcore noise merchants Fucked Up and San Francisco’s Dead to Me, guaranteeing that the festival’s lineup mixes established acts with up-and-coming talent across the punk spectrum.
Classical and Specialist Music
The Barbican Hall in London hosts The Bad Plus on 30 March, celebrating the lesser-known American Quartet fronted by pianist Keith Jarrett during the 1970s. Whilst Jarrett’s Standards Trio has attained iconic standing amongst jazz enthusiasts, this ensemble deserves equal recognition for their innovative contributions to the genre. Saxophonist Chris Potter and pianist Craig Taborn have come together to honour that ensemble’s celebrated repertoire, offering audiences a unique chance to experience this significant period of jazz history performed by musicians who grasp its significance deeply.
This period and specialist music offering offers a elegant contrast to the week’s popular entertainment choices, attracting discriminating music lovers pursuing creative substance and historical context. The Barbican’s intimate setting delivers the perfect venue for enjoying the nuanced interplay between Potter and Taborn as they navigate the group’s complex compositions. For jazz devotees and those interested in discovering outside typical mainstream music, this performance constitutes a genuine standout of the weekly entertainment schedule.
- 5 Seconds of Summer: Australian boyband stadium tour across UK cities during this week
- Manchester Punk Festival: 140 bands at 7 different venues showcasing punk rock culture
- The Bad Plus: Barbican Hall tribute to Keith Jarrett’s landmark 1970s American Quartet
Theatre Productions and Dance
The week’s stage productions provide a broad spectrum of entertainment options for London audiences, between smaller West End shows to innovative works in smaller venues. Those passionate about dance will find equally compelling choices, with contemporary choreography pushing artistic boundaries paired with more traditional ballet presentations. If you’re looking for challenging theatrical pieces, grand musical productions, or cutting-edge movement pieces, this week’s performance calendar provides something to enthral every taste. The capital’s theatrical spaces remain committed to presenting recognised artists and emerging artists, ensuring that the city’s arts scene remains vibrant and varied for those pursuing live performance experiences.
| 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 provide escapist entertainment for theatre lovers looking for spectacular production values
- Contemporary dance extends artistic boundaries through innovative choreography and avant-garde physical expression
- Classic drama revivals provide audiences with enduring narratives performed by accomplished theatrical ensembles
Art Exhibitions Around the UK
The nation’s galleries are filled with engaging exhibitions this week, offering art enthusiasts a range of cultural experiences to discover. From contemporary installations questioning perceptions of modern life to exhibitions honouring established masters, Britain’s cultural institutions display the breadth of artistic achievement. Whether you’re drawn to innovative contemporary pieces or classical masterpieces, the week ahead presents numerous opportunities to experience visual culture at venues spanning London’s celebrated galleries to galleries beyond London. These exhibitions provide compelling viewpoints on everything from contemporary concerns to artistic technique, guaranteeing there’s something to motivate and fascinate every visitor.
Major exhibitions currently span diverse artistic movements and mediums, with curators showcasing deliberately selected selections that promote new readings of conventional topics and daring examinations of new territories. Photography, sculpture, painting, and multimedia works all feature prominently across the UK’s gallery landscape, showcasing the rich variety of contemporary and historical artistic practice. Many venues maintain extended access and dedicated evening programmes to suit different timetables, whilst educational programmes and interpretive walks deliver richer understanding into the artworks presented. This week provides an ideal moment to encounter new artists, revisit beloved artworks, or encounter entirely new artistic perspectives that might challenge and enrich your understanding of visual culture.
- Modern artistic installations exploring social commentary and modern identity across major galleries
- Career retrospectives honouring renowned creators’ careers and artistic evolution over many years
- Photography and mixed-media displays investigating landscape, portraiture, and conceptual themes
- Longer operating times and curator-led visits available at museums and galleries taking part nationwide
Streaming, Gaming and Audio Entertainment
Televised Premieres
This week’s streaming platforms provide engaging viewing for those preferring to stay home. A number of highly-anticipated series are debuting across major services, bringing new stories that cover different genres from compelling dramatic content to light-hearted comedies. Whether you’re in search of character-driven storytelling or narrative-heavy productions, the week ahead offers varied choices to suit different moods and preferences. Many platforms are launching complete seasons simultaneously, enabling audiences to binge at their own pace, whilst others are staggering episodes weekly to sustain viewer engagement and debate amongst audiences.
Original productions hold sway over streaming schedules, with substantial budgets and acclaimed creative teams behind many releases. International programming is increasingly prominent, introducing diverse perspectives and storytelling traditions to British viewers. Documentary series investigating contemporary issues sit alongside fictional dramas tackling complex themes, ensuring there’s intellectual substance alongside pure entertainment value. These releases represent major commitments in quality production, with visual direction, acting and dialogue often equalling theatrical releases in ambition and execution.
New Music Releases
The week ahead brings innovative musical content across various styles, from recognised performers releasing anticipated albums to up-and-coming artists making their debut. Streaming services are showcasing carefully selected playlists featuring the week’s most significant releases, making discovery straightforward 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 adopting unique release methods, with some delivering special content to particular streaming services or issuing tangible formats alongside streaming editions, catering to different listening habits.
Music journalists and critics are offering perspectives on the week’s standout releases, with reviews guiding audiences through the substantial amount of new material. Podcasts focused on musical analysis offer comprehensive exploration of notable works, examining creative vision and cultural significance. Playlists on music streaming services organise themed selections, introducing listeners to songs they might not otherwise encounter. Social media campaigns surrounding releases create community engagement, with fans sharing reactions and recommendations, encouraging discussion around new music across digital platforms.
Gaming and Podcasts
Gaming releases this week cover multiple platforms, providing everything from indie titles with original mechanics to major franchise instalments. Podcasts keep growing as listening content, with new episodes discussing entertainment news, cultural critique, comedy and investigative journalism. Whether you’re interested in esports, narrative-driven experiences or casual mobile entertainment, there’s substantial content to explore. Podcast networks are expanding their catalogues with varied perspectives and perspectives, ensuring listeners can find content that genuinely resonates with their interests and intellectual curiosity.
- New independent games delivering fresh game mechanics and distinctive artistic styles
- Podcast episodes featuring interviews with entertainment industry figures and cultural commentators
- Blockbuster franchise gaming releases available across console, PC, and mobile platforms
