National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest (PG)

Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.

While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.

Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

The Importance of being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde
directed by Max Webster

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (12A)

Beetlejuice is back! Oscar-nominated, singular creative visionary Tim Burton and Oscar nominee and star Michael Keaton reunite for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Burton’s award-winning Beetlejuice.

After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

“A gleefully zany farce packed with knock-out punchlines and great practical effects.” ★★★★ BBC

Directed by Tim Burton
With Jenna Ortega, Michael Keaton, Monica Bellucci
1hr 45 mins // US 2024

Fleetwood Machine

A lovingly-crafted, musically-authentic and passionately-performed celebration of one of the greatest bands in history, Fleetwood Mac!

Fleetwood Machine stay true to the spirit and sound of the original music, replicating the unique sounds of Lindsey Buckingham & Peter Green’s guitars, the intricate drum patterns of Mick Fleetwood and the haunting vocal harmonies that are Fleetwood Mac’s trademark…not forgetting the iconic ‘F1’ bass line, of course!

All of the beloved mega-hits plus some brilliant, less well- known songs from the Peter Green era to excite even the most discerning fans!

“We want to convey to our audiences the pure joy and excitement we feel when performing this music. Looking forward to sharing some ‘Big Love’ with you all!”

The show is performed by five experienced musicians who have found each other through their passion for one of the greatest bands in history.

Royal Ballet & Opera Live: Ballet to Broadway- Wheeldon Works

Sensuous contemporary ballet meets the energy of musical theatre in four distinctive short works.
Fool’s Paradise, The Two of Us, Us, An American in Paris: four works showing the remarkable choreographic range of The Royal Ballet’s Artistic Associate, Christopher Wheeldon.

FOOL’S PARADISE
Luminescent and shimmering, Fool’s Paradise marked the first of Wheeldon’s many collaborations with composer Joby Talbot. It was created in 2007 for Wheeldon’s own company, Morphoses, and first performed in 2012 by The Royal Ballet.

THE TWO OF US
The wistful songs of Joni Mitchell set the scene for the UK premiere of The Two of Us, a duet of deep intimacy and yearning. It was created in 2020 for the Fall for Dance Festival in New York, and had American ballet dancers Sarah Mearns and David Hallberg in its original cast.

US (DUET)
Us is a tender duet danced by two men. It was created in 2017 for BalletBoyz and is set to Keaten Henson’s music.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (BALLET)
The Royal Ballet celebrates Wheeldon’s extraordinary success in musical theatre by performing the ballet scene from his Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris. Set to Gershwin’s jazzy melodies, the musical is inspired by the 1951 film of the same name starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. The musical went on to win four Tony awards. The full musical depicts a blossoming romance between the American G.I. Jerry Mulligan and a French ballerina, Lise Dassin. The ballet excerpt was Wheeldon’s take on one of the most memorable scenes from the film – an extended sequence in which the two central characters dance through Paris.

Comedy Hotspot

SAM HARLAND

Sam Harland’s unique,  observational humour, is drawn from his working class roots. He is able to engage his audience in a warm, quick-witted and friendly manner. Sam’s material is self-deprecating, ironic and honest, particularly in relation to his colourful past escapades.

“Delivers his material like a pro, timing and emphasis note perfect” – Chortle

JOE ZALIAS

Joe Zalias is no ordinary Comedian… Ex firefighter, ex cage-fighter, dedicated father and now spiritual ninja, this rich tapestry of life has helped craft and colour 15 years performing on stage as a professional comedian, Joe regularly Headlines & MC’s TOP UK Weekend Comedy Clubs in UK/International Comedy Circuit scene.

Regularly seen at: Just The Tonic, Toby Fosters Last Laugh, Comedy Hotspot, Laffalot,

‘Exudes natural likeability and charm” Julia Chamberlain – Chortle.

JULES O’BRIAN

Brummie based Jules performs around the country, telling anyone who will listen about ageing disgracefully, body hang–ups, parenting, and dating. This former teacher’s relaxed, chatty style, crowd interaction and warmth, all served with a sardonic wit, make her a natural crowd pleaser.

Jules was nominated for the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent award in 2022, and was shortlisted for Funny Women 2023. She performs her one woman show, “Avoid excessive cleavage (and other advice to ignore)” at comedy festivals, and gives talks about having embarked on her comedy career as an older woman, to various groups.

THOMAS GREEN

Like most things in Australia, international headliner Thomas Green is out to kill you…with comedy.

He attacks every stage with skill, precision and a level of energy that engages and commands the entire room. His crowd work is revered, likability off the charts and he has the innate ability to get any audience instantly on side with his charismatic Aussie best mate persona.

Green is one of those rare comics who, when you watch them for the first time, you know you’re watching a true genius at work. He has the elasticity of Jim Carrey; the character range of Robin Williams; the absurdity of Eddie Izzard and the energy of Lee Evans with the addition of his own unique brand of engaging storytelling; he really is the full package.

Hailing from sunny Australia, Green is a former Primary School teacher and religious cult member. From everyday observations to his experiences living and working in a cult which controlled every part of his life, until he broke out to pursue a career in comedy, Green’s material is raw, unfiltered and hysterical.

Now he has established himself as one of the most sought after comics on the UK circuit headlining nationwide at high profile clubs such as The Comedy Store, Glee, Hot Water Comedy, Up The Creek, Top Secret Comedy, The Frog and Bucket; has had critically acclaimed sell out shows at Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Edinburgh Festivals, and supporting top comedians such as Jason Manford, Russell Kane and more.

★★★★½ ‘Green will have you in stitches.’ – The Advertiser (AUS)

★★★★ ‘…he’s proof you don’t need a gimmick to be great.’ – The List (UK)

Escapes: The Queen of My Dreams (12A)

Free tickets are now available for our latest Escapes film The Queen of my Dreams!

Azra is worlds apart from her conservative Muslim mother. When her father suddenly dies on a trip home to Pakistan, Azra finds herself on a Bollywood-inspired journey through memories, both real and imagined; from her mother’s youth in Karachi to her own coming- of-age in rural Canada.

Tickets to The Queen of my Dreams are completely free and available now through the link 🔗

Escapes, supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, offers everyone the opportunity to enjoy the big screen experience and discover independent cinema. Whether someone that rarely prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only as a special occasion, or someone who is keen to uncover new experiences, Escapes is on a mission to bring new audiences to the cinema with regular free tickets.

Exhibition on Screen: Van Gogh- Poets and Lovers (12A)

200 years after its opening and a century after acquiring its first Van Gogh works, the National Gallery, London is hosting the UK’s biggest ever Van Gogh exhibition. Van Gogh is not only one of the most beloved artists of all time, but perhaps the most misunderstood.

This film is a chance to re-examine and better understand this iconic artist. Focusing on his unique creative process, Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers explores the artist’s years in the south of France, where he revolutionised his style. Van Gogh became consumed with a passion for storytelling in his art, turning the world around him into vibrant, idealised spaces and symbolic characters.

Poets and lovers filled his imagination; everything he did in the south of France served this new obsession. In part, this is what caused his notorious breakdown, but it didn’t hold back his creativity as he created masterpiece after masterpiece. Explore one of art history’s most pivotal periods in this once-in-a-century show.
Made in close collaboration with the National Gallery.

90 minutes

“This Van Gogh blockbuster is simply stellar… the exhibition of the year” Evening Standard ★★★★★

Guardian ★★★★★ Times ★★★★★ Telegraph ★★★★★ Time Out ★★★★★

Shakespeare’s Globe presents Othello (12A)

Celebrated by many, Othello has risen through the ranks of the Met police. But can his hard-won reputation, his marriage to Desdemona, and his own subconscious survive the toxic systems that surround him?

Sixteenth-century Venice becomes modern-day London’s Docklands, as Othello grapples with many of the same issues that successful Black people have faced for centuries. This is an Othello for our times.

Experience Shakespeare’s confronting look at the destructive impact of institutional racism, toxic masculinity, and a justice system locked in a vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecy. Director Ola Ince debuted in the intimate, candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with this ‘inspired’ (The Guardian), and ‘profound’ (Evening Standard) and ‘masterfully redefined’ (West End Best Friend) take on Shakespeare’s blistering tragedy.

3hrs including an interval

Catch-up Screenings: Inside Out 2 (U)

Returning to the mind of the newly teenage Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone…

Telegraph ★★★★ Independent ★★★★ Empire ★★★★ Radio Times ★★★★

Directed by Kelsey Mann
Voiced by Maya Hawke, Amy Poehler
1hr 36mins // US 2024

Despicable Me 4 (U) – Extra Screenings

Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.

Guardian ★★★

Directed by Chris Renaud & Patrick Delage
Voiced by Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig
1hr 34 mins // US 2024