From Enid Blyton’s cherished imaginative tale to arena-filling Australian rock acts, this week’s entertainment calendar offers something for everyone. The Magic Faraway Tree adapts the beloved children’s book 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 ahead of visiting key destinations including Birmingham and London. Whether you’re seeking cinema thrills, concerts, theatre, or cultural pursuits, our comprehensive guide highlights the must-see occasions taking place throughout the week ahead. Read on to discover what’s worth your time and money this week.
Movie Releases That Deserve Your Attention
This week’s film selections span a wonderful variety of categories, from accessible fantasy films to provocative horror and intellectually stimulating documentaries. The Magic Faraway Tree shines as a charming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s cherished novel, bringing the beloved story to life with impressive casting and rural visual landscapes. Meanwhile, Those Will Kill You presents a darkly comic examination on wealth inequality through a horror framework, whilst Splitsville provides a pleasantly distinctive comedy exploring contemporary relationship issues. For those pursuing mental engagement, Raoul Peck’s Orwell documentary provides contemporary analysis of how the author’s prescient warnings remain disturbingly relevant today.
The range on display this week guarantees that no matter what films appeal to you, there’s something to satisfy it. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly content that works for all ages, adrenaline-pumping scares, irreverent comedy or serious documentary filmmaking, cinemas are well-stocked. These releases showcase various strands of modern filmmaking, from big-budget studio productions to independent films. The quality of performances across these films—particularly Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy’s work in The Magic Faraway Tree—elevates the week’s selection beyond standard fare, rendering it an outstanding time to venture out to your local picture house.
- The Magic Faraway Tree: Enid Blyton adaptation featuring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy
- They Will Kill You: Dark comedy horror about wealth and supernatural apartment inhabitants
- Splitsville: Unconventional comedy exploring consensual non-monogamy and modern relationships
- Orwell: 2+2 = 5: Documentary about George Orwell’s enduring political relevance
Live Music and Performance Events
Stadium Tours and Prominent Musical Performances
Australian boyband 5 Seconds of Summer are bringing their arena tour to the UK this week, with dates in Glasgow, Birmingham, and London running between 30 March to 5 April. The four-piece have evolved significantly since their initial period of pop-rock influenced by One Direction, venturing into darker dance experiments across their six albums. These performances are set to condense their extensive catalogue into an energetic 90-minute performance, providing fans a thorough exploration through their career trajectory and musical highlights.
For those with an appreciation of punk rock mayhem, the Manchester Punk Festival running from 3 to 5 April delivers an unmissable prospect to dive into the genre’s raw energy. With approximately 140 bands taking the stage across multiple venues throughout the city, the festival appeals to every shade of punk enthusiasm imaginable. Headliners include the unapologetic hardcore noise merchants Fucked Up and San Francisco’s Dead to Me, ensuring that the festival lineup mixes established acts with rising talent across the punk spectrum.
Classical and Expert Music
The Barbican Hall in London hosts The Bad Plus on 30 March, celebrating the underrated American Quartet led by pianist Keith Jarrett in the 1970s. Whilst Jarrett’s Standards Trio has attained legendary status amongst jazz enthusiasts, this ensemble merits comparable acclaim for their groundbreaking additions to the genre. Saxophonist Chris Potter and pianist Craig Taborn have come together to pay tribute to that group’s memorable music, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience this important chapter of jazz history delivered by musicians who grasp its significance intimately.
This traditional and niche music selection constitutes a elegant contrast to the week’s popular entertainment options, engaging knowledgeable music aficionados pursuing creative substance and historical context. The Barbican’s intimate environment delivers the ideal location for appreciating the nuanced interplay between Potter and Taborn as they traverse the quartet’s intricate compositions. For jazz devotees and those keen to venture outside typical mainstream music, this show represents a genuine standout of the weekly entertainment schedule.
- 5 Seconds of Summer: Australian pop group arena tour across UK cities during the week
- Manchester Punk Festival: 140 acts at 7 different venues celebrating punk rock culture
- The Bad Plus: Barbican Hall homage to Keith Jarrett’s influential 1970s era American Quartet
Stage Productions and Dance
The week’s theatrical offerings deliver a diverse range of entertainment options for London’s theatre-goers, from smaller West End shows to experimental pieces in alternative theatres. Dance enthusiasts will find equally compelling options, with innovative movement design pushing artistic boundaries combined with classical ballet performances. Should you desire challenging theatrical pieces, grand musical productions, or experimental physical theatre, this week’s performance calendar offers something to engage every preference. The capital’s performance venues remain committed to presenting both established talent and new talent, guaranteeing that London’s theatre world stays dynamic and diverse for audiences seeking live entertainment.
| 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 enthusiasts looking for spectacular production values
- Contemporary dance extends creative limits through innovative choreography and experimental movement
- Classic drama revivals deliver audiences with enduring narratives staged by talented theatre companies
Art Exhibitions Around the UK
The nation’s galleries are brimming with captivating exhibitions this week, offering art enthusiasts a range of cultural experiences to explore. From contemporary installations reshaping perceptions of modern life to exhibitions honouring established masters, Britain’s museums and galleries present the breadth of artistic achievement. Whether you’re keen on cutting-edge conceptual work or traditional artwork, the week ahead delivers numerous opportunities to engage with visual culture at venues stretching from London’s renowned museums to galleries beyond London. These exhibitions deliver thought-provoking perspectives on everything from social issues to artistic technique, ensuring there’s something to motivate and fascinate every visitor.
Major exhibitions throughout the week span multiple artistic genres and mediums, with curators offering thoughtfully curated selections that inspire novel understandings of established subjects and adventurous investigations of new territories. Photography, sculpture, painting, and multimedia works all feature prominently across the UK gallery network, demonstrating the dynamic range of present and past artistic practice. Many venues provide longer opening times and evening activities to cater to diverse availability, whilst educational offerings and interpretive walks deliver richer understanding into the pieces exhibited. This week provides an ideal moment to find rising voices, reconnect with favourite works, or meet wholly novel artistic perspectives that might challenge and enrich your understanding of artistic expression.
- Contemporary art installations examining cultural themes and modern identity across major galleries
- Retrospective exhibitions honouring established artists’ careers and artistic evolution over decades
- Photography and mixed-media displays investigating landscape, portraiture, and conceptual themes
- Longer operating times and curator-led visits available at participating museums and galleries nationwide
Streaming, Gaming and Audio Entertainment
TV Premieres
This week’s on-demand services provide compelling viewing for those preferring to stay home. Multiple upcoming series are premiering across major services, delivering new stories that range across genres from intense dramas to lighthearted comedy. Whether you’re in search of deeply-drawn characters or plot-driven entertainment, the coming week presents diverse options to accommodate distinct preferences and preferences. Many platforms are dropping full seasons simultaneously, allowing viewers to view according to their schedule, whilst others are spacing out episodes weekly to sustain viewer engagement and discussion among audiences.
Original productions continue to dominate streaming schedules, with significant financial backing and respected creative minds behind many releases. International programming is growing in visibility, introducing diverse perspectives and storytelling traditions to British viewers. Documentary series investigating contemporary issues sit alongside fictional narratives engaging with complex themes, ensuring there’s meaningful depth alongside pure entertainment value. These releases constitute considerable spending in quality production, with cinematography, performances and scriptwriting often rivalling theatrical releases in ambition and execution.
Latest Music Releases
The week ahead brings new music releases across multiple genres, from established artists releasing expected releases to rising performers making their first release. Streaming services are showcasing carefully selected playlists featuring the standout releases of the week, making discovery straightforward for audiences looking for fresh material. Whether you enjoy pop music, rock, hip-hop, electronic or alternative music, there’s substantial new material to explore. Artists are employing creative release strategies, with some delivering special content to individual services or issuing tangible formats alongside digital versions, catering to diverse audience preferences.
Music journalists and critics are currently discussing the week’s most significant releases, with reviews helping listeners navigate the significant quantity of new material. Podcasts exploring music topics offer comprehensive exploration of important releases, investigating the artist’s vision and broader cultural relevance. Playlists on streaming platforms curate thematic collections, introducing listeners to songs they might otherwise miss. Social media campaigns tied to launches create community engagement, with fans exchanging thoughts and suggestions, building dialogue around new music on social channels.
Games and Podcasting
Gaming titles this week span multiple platforms, delivering everything from indie titles with original mechanics to major franchise instalments. Podcasts continue flourishing as sound-based content, with new episodes exploring entertainment news, cultural commentary, comedy and investigative journalism. Whether you’re drawn to multiplayer competition, story-focused games or casual mobile entertainment, there’s considerable content to explore. Podcast networks are expanding their catalogues with different viewpoints and perspectives, ensuring listeners can find programming that genuinely resonates with their interests and intellectual curiosity.
- New independent games delivering creative gameplay features and original artistic direction
- Podcast episodes showcasing conversations featuring entertainment sector personalities and cultural critics
- Blockbuster franchise gaming launches available across console, PC and mobile platforms
