From Enid Blyton’s cherished imaginative tale to stadium-packing Australian pop-rockers, 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 featuring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, whilst 5 Seconds of Summer launch a UK tour that commences in Glasgow on 30 March before hitting major cities including Birmingham and London. Whether you’re seeking cinema thrills, live music, theatre, or cultural pursuits, our comprehensive guide showcases the unmissable events taking place throughout the week ahead. Read on to find out what’s worth your time and money this week.
Movie Releases Worth Watching
This week’s cinematic offerings span a delightful range of genres, from family-friendly fantasy to challenging horror and thought-provoking documentary. The Magic Faraway Tree shines as a engaging rendition of Enid Blyton’s beloved story, capturing the classic tale with strong performances and countryside cinematography. Meanwhile, Those Will Kill You presents a darkly satirical take on wealth inequality through a horror framework, whilst Splitsville offers a refreshingly unconventional comedy exploring contemporary relationship issues. For those pursuing mental engagement, Raoul Peck’s Orwell documentary provides timely examination of how the writer’s prophetic observations remain disturbingly relevant today.
The range on offer this week guarantees that whatever your cinematic mood, there’s something to satisfy it. 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-stocked. These films represent different corners of contemporary cinema, from major studio releases 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 typical releases, making it an excellent time to venture out to your local picture house.
- The Magic Faraway Tree: Enid Blyton-inspired production starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy
- They Will Kill You: Dark comedy horror exploring wealth and supernatural apartment inhabitants
- Splitsville: Offbeat comedy series exploring consensual non-monogamy and contemporary romance
- Orwell: 2+2 = 5: Documentary about George Orwell’s lasting relevance to politics
Live Music and Performance Events
Arena Tours and Significant Concert Events
Australian boyband 5 Seconds of Summer are taking 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 considerably since their initial period of One Direction-influenced pop-rock, expanding into darker dance experiments across their six albums. These performances are set to distil their extensive catalogue into an energetic 90-minute spectacle, 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 taking place 3 to 5 April presents an unmissable opportunity to dive into the style’s raw energy. With over 140 bands playing across 7 locations throughout the city, the festival serves every shade of punk enthusiasm imaginable. Headliners include the unflinching hardcore noise merchants Fucked Up and San Francisco’s Dead to Me, confirming that the festival lineup mixes established acts with emerging talent across the punk spectrum.
Classical and Specialised Music
The Barbican Hall in London hosts The Bad Plus on 30 March, celebrating the underrated American Quartet fronted by pianist Keith Jarrett during the 1970s. Whilst Jarrett’s Standards Trio has attained legendary status amongst jazz aficionados, 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 witness this significant period of jazz history performed by musicians who understand its significance intimately.
This classical and specialist music offering represents a elegant contrast to the weekly mainstream entertainment choices, engaging discriminating music lovers seeking artistic richness and historical context. The Barbican’s intimate environment offers the perfect venue for appreciating the delicate interplay between Potter and Taborn as they traverse the quartet’s complex compositions. For jazz aficionados and those interested in discovering beyond conventional popular music, this performance stands as a true highlight of the weekly entertainment calendar.
- 5 Seconds of Summer: Australian pop group arena tour across UK cities throughout this week
- Manchester Punk Festival: 140 bands at seven venues showcasing punk rock culture
- The Bad Plus: Barbican Hall tribute to Keith Jarrett’s influential 1970s American Quartet
Theatrical Productions and Dance Performance
The week’s theatrical offerings deliver a wide variety of experiences for London audiences, from smaller West End shows to experimental performances in independent spaces. Dance lovers will find similarly engaging opportunities, with contemporary choreography challenging creative limits combined with more traditional ballet presentations. Whether you’re seeking challenging theatrical pieces, musical theatre spectacle, or innovative movement-based work, this week’s theatre programme offers something to engage every preference. The capital’s theatres remain committed to presenting both established talent and new talent, confirming that the city’s arts scene remains vibrant and varied for audiences seeking theatrical performances.
| 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 creative limits through innovative choreography and avant-garde physical expression
- Classic drama revivals deliver audiences with enduring narratives performed by accomplished theatrical ensembles
Artistic Displays Around the UK
The nation’s galleries are filled with compelling exhibitions this week, giving art enthusiasts an abundance of cultural experiences to experience. From modern artworks reshaping perceptions of modern life to retrospectives celebrating established masters, Britain’s museums and galleries display the breadth of artistic achievement. Whether you’re keen on innovative contemporary pieces or traditional artwork, the week ahead delivers numerous opportunities to engage with visual culture at venues stretching from London’s prestigious institutions to galleries beyond London. These exhibitions provide compelling viewpoints on everything from social issues to artistic technique, confirming there’s something to captivate and engage every visitor.
Major exhibitions throughout the week span multiple artistic genres and mediums, with curators showcasing deliberately selected selections that inspire novel understandings of conventional topics and adventurous investigations of new territories. Photography, sculpture, painting, and multimedia works all stand out across the British gallery scene, reflecting the vibrant diversity of modern and classical artistic practice. Many venues maintain extended access and dedicated evening programmes to cater to diverse availability, whilst learning initiatives and interpretive walks provide deeper insights into the pieces exhibited. This week provides an ideal moment to find rising voices, return to cherished pieces, or encounter entirely new artistic perspectives that might challenge and enrich your understanding of visual arts.
- Contemporary art installations exploring social commentary and contemporary self-expression across leading exhibition spaces
- Retrospective exhibitions celebrating renowned creators’ professional development and creative progression over many years
- Photography and mixed-media displays examining scenic work, portrait studies, and abstract concepts
- Extended opening hours and guided tours on offer at participating museums and galleries nationwide
Streaming, Gaming and Audio Entertainment
Television Debuts
This week’s on-demand services provide captivating viewing for those who prefer staying indoors. Multiple upcoming series are launching across major services, bringing fresh narratives that span genres from compelling dramatic content to lighthearted comedy. Whether you’re looking for character-focused narratives or narrative-heavy productions, the coming week provides diverse options to accommodate varying moods and preferences. Many platforms are launching complete seasons simultaneously, enabling audiences to view according to their schedule, whilst others are spacing out episodes weekly to sustain viewer engagement and conversation among viewers.
Original programmes remain dominant across streaming schedules, with substantial budgets and celebrated production talent 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 major commitments in quality production, with visual direction, acting and dialogue often matching theatrical releases in ambition and execution.
Recent Music Releases
The week ahead brings innovative musical content across diverse categories, from established artists releasing anticipated albums to up-and-coming artists making their first release. Streaming services are showcasing carefully selected playlists featuring the most important new music, making exploring new sounds simple for audiences looking for fresh material. Whether you favour pop, 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 individual services or putting out physical copies alongside streaming editions, catering to diverse audience preferences.
Music journalists and critics are offering perspectives on the week’s most notable releases, with reviews helping listeners navigate the considerable volume of new material. Podcasts dedicated to music discussion offer more detailed examination of important releases, exploring artistic intent and cultural context. Playlists on music streaming services compile themed compilations, exposing audiences to songs they might not otherwise encounter. Social media campaigns promoting new music create community engagement, with fans sharing reactions and recommendations, fostering conversations around new music across digital platforms.
Gaming and Podcasts
Gaming launches this week cover multiple platforms, delivering everything from indie titles with creative mechanics to major franchise releases. Podcasts remain popular as sound-based content, with new episodes exploring entertainment news, cultural commentary, comedy and investigative journalism. Whether you’re drawn to multiplayer competition, character-led adventures or casual mobile entertainment, there’s substantial 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 offering creative gameplay features and unique visual aesthetics
- Podcast episodes featuring interviews with entertainment industry figures and cultural commentators
- Major franchise gaming launches accessible on console, personal computer, and mobile platforms