More things to do in Leeds and London

With thanks to Opera North, Country and Townhouse and The Southbank Centre:

Watch Masque of Might for FREE       'Brilliantly bonkers' (The Times) patchwork-Purcell! Eco-entertainment Masque of Might is opera, but not as you know it...   And if you missed it on stage then you're in luck! Our ★★★★★ 'smash hit' (MusicOMH) premieres FREE on demand, on Sun 3 Dec, 6.00pm UK time (7.00pm CET). In partnership with OperaVision we're bringing this punk-baroque (🤘) riot of colour, energy and music off the stage of Leeds Grand Theatre and exploding into your living room.   Tyrannical leader Diktat wreaks terror and ecological devastation, but when a band of unlikely heroes helps nature fight back, a battle of biblical proportions ensues. Part dystopian-fantasy, part witty satire, Masque of Might is an epic production (with a vital message) that's not to be missed... and now there's no excuse to!   Can't make it to the premiere? David Pountney's vibrant, 'quirky...and thought provoking' (Yorkshire Times), recycled opera is available to watch on OperaVision until June 2024.     Opera North Ltd.  Howard Opera Centre 8 Harrison Street Leeds LS1 6PA Box Office: 0113 223 3600 Registered Charity No. 511726 © Opera North 2023

 

December 03, 2023   |

Dear, I’ve always thought that art will win more hearts and minds than science when it comes to engaging us with our climate crisis. And so it is good to see more play, satire and wit hitting the mark bang on. Kudos to Richard Curtis’s new campaign Make My Money Matter starring Oscar-winning Olivia Coleman as Oblivia Colemine. Clad in shiny petro-chemical black – this year’s colour, darlings – she thanks us for giving her a bumper year of profits and allowing her to ‘dig, drill and destroy more of a planet than ever before’. She also promises a ‘warmer, snugglier future’, if we keep sending our pension money her way. Time to check that your pot of retirement cash is not invested in gas and oil – and if it is, well, you know the drill… Have a great week. WHAT’S EXCITING ME THIS WEEK Let’s Talk About Sex Possibly sustainability is the last thing on your mind as you get frisky, but maybe it’s time to think about how your sex life is impacting the planet… Those Saltburn scenes Talking about sex, has anyone seen Saltburn yet? Ouf, I didn’t know where to look and glad I didn’t take my 13 year old daughter to see it. Besides those scenes though, the scenery was pretty lush – we find out where it was filmed. Get Growing News hits us that British grown baked beans have been canned for the first time… Given that we eat two million cans a day, this is important as we look to start importing less. Find out what else our progressive farmers are growing.   PRODUCT OF THE WEEK The Real Flower Company’s Frosty Morning Eco-Friendly Moss Door Wreath Spruce up your front door this Christmas with this beautiful moss-based wreath from The Real Flower Company. Hand crafted by a team of florists using pinecones, pussy willow, reindeer moss, viburnum berries and brunia, mixed with fragrant Christmas spruce and icy senecio, this stylish door wreath is the perfect welcome for guests this season. BUY NOW   FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS Set your alarms: two of London’s most popular restaurants, Padella and Crisp Pizza W6, are collaborating for one-night-only. Pre-orders are available from 5 December. See Norfolk’s Holkham Hall transformed into a magical wonderland this December – complete with fizz and mince pies. A new family-friendly immersive experience has just opened in London: Bubble Planet. Think colours, lasers, lights, 360-degree projects, virtual reality and bubbles aplenty. Perfect your festive tablescape by picking up supplies at Skye McAlpine’s Knightsbridge pop-up shop. Until 17 December 2023 Celebrate the beginning of December by cosying up on the sofa with a great Christmas movie – or brave the cold and head to one of these cinemas instead. WHAT'S TRENDING ON C&TH How to embrace the Dutch practice of Niksen Top tips for aspiring Oxbridge applicants 5 drinks trends to look out for in 2024 The C&TH Christmas gift guide COMPETITION OF THE WEEK Win A Stay At Lympstone Manor In the mood for a country escape? We’ve got just the thing: we’ve partnered with Lympstone Manor to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Michelin-starred dinner at Michael Caines’ fine-dining restaurant followed by an overnight stay at the hotel, as well as a bottle of Michael Caines’ newly released Classic Cuvée.  ENTER HERE SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Sign up for 12 print issues and instant access to every digital edition for only £39 3

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Imagine Children's Festival returns.       Your family update FIND OUT MORE   Imagine adventures to come Our Winter Festival is now in full swing! Come together this December for enchanting performances, joyous music and memorable celebrations for the whole family. Looking ahead to the February half-term, Imagine Children's Festival returns, and it's packed full of fun and creativity for children aged 0 – 11 and their grown-ups! With incredible children's theatre, dance, literature, poetry, comedy and music on offer, there is something to spark excitement in everyone.   Just announced     Imagine Children's Festival WED 7 – SAT 17 FEB Our annual festival for children and their grown-ups returns in February, with more than 100 events to choose from – and loads of them are free! Imagine Children’s Festival is a relaxed festival (check out any event to find out more) and all events are Relaxed Performances (RP).   book now →   Half-term highlights     Starchitects: A Cosmic Adventure THU 15 – SAT 17 FEB Gravity-defying choreography, digital projections and dance-circus fusion fuel this joyful cosmic adventure. Bring the whole family along to watch the tale unfold of five children who dream of reaching the moon from their bedroom. For ages 3+ Audio Described and Touch Tour available: Fri 16 Feb, 11am     CBeebies Ocean Adventures TUE 13 FEB All aboard for a fun-filled CBeebies musical ocean adventure. Dive underwater with the concert hall submarine and its musical crew. For ages 3+     There's a Monster in Your Show WED 7 – FRI 9 FEB Expect playful fun in this high-energy interactive musical show from Who’s in Your Book? series author Tom Fletcher. For ages 2+ British Sign Language interpreted (BSL): Thu 8 Feb, 1.30pm   book tickets →   Last chance to see     Hiroshi Sugimoto UNTIL SUN 7 JAN The largest survey to date of Hiroshi Sugimoto, an artist renowned for creating some of the most alluringly enigmatic photographs of our time. Free entry for under-12s Installation view of Hiroshi Sugimoto, Opticks series. Photo: Mark Blower. Courtesy the artist and the Hayward Gallery.   book now →     FREE   Fab-YULE-ous Voices SAT 9 DEC Surround yourself in uplifting harmonies in an afternoon of free performances by incredible local choirs. This event is a Relaxed Performance (RP).   Marvellous music     Christmas Classics FRI 15 – SUN 17 DEC Hit all the high notes as you sing along to your favourite festive classics with host YolanDa Brown and a sumptuous symphony orchestra. Suitable for all ages.     Tomorrow’s Warriors Extraordinary Winter Showcase SUN 10 DEC   Simmer Down: December FRI 15 DEC     Five Go Jiving SUN 24 DEC Get your dancing shoes on to kick-start your festive season with a free extravaganza from Five Go Jiving.   find out more →   Sweet dreams on stage     Nutcracker UNTIL SAT 6 JAN 'perfect for the whole family.' ★★★★ (West End Best Friend) Dive head-on into the perfect family outing. This glittering winter wonderland is a ‘festive treat’ (What's On Stage) and 'a snowstorm of fun' (TimeOut), brought to life in a pop-up jazz club under the Royal Festival Hall. For ages 6+ Use promo code SNOWBALL for Families and Small Groups rate:  £55 tickets for £35* (Tue, Wed & Thu performances) £55 tickets for £45* (Thu (Lates), Fri, Sat & Sun performances)  *T&Cs: Promo code only applicable to w/c 1st January on bookings of 4+ tickets. Book before 22 December 2023.   book now →   Winter on stage     The House with Chicken Legs WED 13 – SAT 30 DEC Do your best to catch this story of a house that won’t stand still, and a young girl trying to find her feet – in a show featuring puppets, projection and live music. For ages 9+ Relaxed Performance: Sat 16 Dec, 2.30pm & Wed 27 Dec, 7pm. Pre-show Touch Tour and Audio Description available: Thu 21 Dec, 2.30pm. British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performance: Thu 28 Dec, 7pm     Bluey's Big Play WED 20 DEC – SUN 7 JAN The playful Blue Heeler puppy is brought to life in the UK premiere of a theatrical adaptation of the smash-hit children’s TV show. For all ages Relaxed Performances: Fri 29 Dec, 4.30pm & Wed 3 Jan, 11am British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performance: Fri 29 Dec, 4.30pm & Fri 5 Jan, 2pm   discover more →   New Year's fun     Kids' Countdown with Len Blanco SUN 31 DEC Start your family's New Year celebration early at a daytime party, hosted by the awesome Len Blanco, where the countdown to 2024 takes place just before midday. For all ages This event is a Relaxed Performance     New Year's Day Ceilidh MON 1 JAN Join London’s most radical and vivacious ceilidh band, the Ceilidh Liberation Front, and kick the new year off with dancing. For all ages This event is a Relaxed Performance   Winter Festival →   BLOG       Family things to do this December at the Southbank Centre Get ready to enjoy all the festive feels with us in the run up to the holiday season with spellbinding shows, carol concerts and more for all ages.   read now →     SHOP   Game changer Keep spirits high during the holidays with entertaining and educational games and activities, perfect for curious minds.  Love our shops? Subscribe to our mailing list and get 10% off your first order   FROM OUR FRIENDS   Finding Santa THU 7 – SUN 24 DEC | BLOOMSBURY THEATRE Little Angel Theatre presents Finding Santa, a funny and heart-warming Christmas show that invites you and your family to help decide how the story unfolds. Perfect for children aged three and above, it’s written by much-loved children’s author Sean Taylor.   FROM OUR FRIENDS   Solstice FRI 1 – SUN 24 DEC | BATTERSEA ARTS CENTRE Solstice is a brand-new immersive light trail through the seasons. Journey through the maze of Battersea Arts Centre’s corridors and hidden spaces, discovering magical creatures at every turn.     WHAT'S ON      VISIT      MEMBERSHIP & SUPPORT   Thanks for reading. We hope you enjoyed your specially selected highlights. Share your comments and photos with us by mentioning @southbankcentre or @haywardgallery.     Southbank Centre is a charity registered in England and Wales No.298909. Registered office: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX