From Enid Blyton’s treasured fantasy adventure to arena-filling Australian pop-rockers, this week’s entertainment calendar offers something for everyone. The Magic Faraway Tree brings the classic children’s novel to the cinema with a impressive ensemble featuring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, whilst 5 Seconds of Summer launch a UK tour that kicks off in Glasgow on 30 March ahead of visiting key destinations including Birmingham and London. Whether you’re after film entertainment, concerts, theatre, or cultural events, our comprehensive guide highlights the unmissable events taking place throughout the coming days. Read on to find out what’s worth your time and money this week.
Cinema Releases Worth Your Time
This week’s film selections cover a delightful range of genres, from family-friendly fantasy to challenging horror and intellectually stimulating documentaries. The Magic Faraway Tree stands out as a engaging rendition of Enid Blyton’s beloved story, bringing the beloved story to life with strong performances and countryside cinematography. Meanwhile, Those Will Kill You delivers a darkly comic examination on wealth inequality through a horror lens, whilst Splitsville provides 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 no matter what films appeal to you, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking wholesome entertainment suitable for the whole family, adrenaline-pumping scares, irreverent comedy or thoughtful documentary work, cinemas are well-supplied. These releases represent different corners of contemporary cinema, 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—lifts the week’s offerings beyond typical releases, rendering it an excellent time to visit your local picture house.
- The Magic Faraway Tree: Enid Blyton adaptation featuring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy
- They Will Kill You: Dark comedy horror exploring wealth and demonic apartment dwellers
- 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
Stadium Tours and Significant Concert Events
Australian boyband 5 Seconds of Summer are taking their touring production to the UK over the coming days, with dates in Glasgow, Birmingham, and London spanning from 30 March to 5 April. The four-piece has progressed significantly since their initial period of One Direction-influenced pop-rock, 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 comprehensive journey through their career trajectory and musical highlights.
For those with a passion for punk rock mayhem, the Manchester Punk Festival taking place 3 to 5 April presents an unmissable opportunity to dive into the genre’s raw energy. With approximately 140 bands taking the stage across 7 locations 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 lineup balances established acts with rising talent across the punk spectrum.
Classical and Specialised Music
The Barbican Hall in London hosts The Bad Plus on 30 March, honouring the underrated American Quartet led by pianist Keith Jarrett during the 1970s. Whilst Jarrett’s Standards Trio has attained iconic standing amongst jazz aficionados, this ensemble deserves comparable acclaim for their innovative contributions to the genre. Saxophonist Chris Potter and pianist Craig Taborn have reunited to pay tribute to that ensemble’s celebrated repertoire, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience this important chapter of jazz history delivered by musicians who grasp its significance deeply.
This classical and specialist music programme represents a sophisticated counterpoint to the week’s popular leisure offerings, appealing to discerning music enthusiasts looking for artistic richness and historical resonance. The Barbican’s intimate setting delivers the ideal location for enjoying the nuanced interplay between Potter and Taborn as they work through the quartet’s complex compositions. For jazz devotees and those keen to venture outside typical commercial music, this concert represents a true highlight of the week’s cultural calendar.
- 5 Seconds of Summer: Australian boyband arena tour across UK cities throughout this week
- Manchester Punk Festival: 140 acts across 7 different venues showcasing 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 stage productions offer a diverse range of experiences for London audiences, between intimate West End performances to innovative works in independent spaces. Dance lovers will find similarly engaging options, with innovative movement design challenging creative limits alongside conventional ballet work. Should you desire challenging theatrical pieces, theatrical musical extravaganzas, or cutting-edge movement pieces, this week’s performance calendar offers something to captivate every preference. The capital’s theatrical spaces keep displaying seasoned performers and up-and-coming performers, ensuring that the city’s arts scene continues thriving with variety for those pursuing 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 immersive theatre experiences for theatre enthusiasts seeking spectacular production values
- Contemporary dance pushes creative limits through inventive movement design and avant-garde physical expression
- Classic drama revivals provide audiences with enduring narratives performed by talented theatre companies
Art Exhibitions Around the UK
The nation’s galleries are packed with captivating exhibitions this week, giving art enthusiasts a wealth of cultural experiences to discover. From contemporary installations reshaping perceptions of modern life to exhibitions honouring established masters, Britain’s museums and galleries continue to showcase the breadth of artistic achievement. Whether you’re keen on innovative contemporary pieces or classical masterpieces, the week ahead offers numerous opportunities to interact 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 inspire and stimulate every visitor.
Major exhibitions throughout the week span varied artistic styles and mediums, with curators offering thoughtfully curated selections that promote new readings of conventional topics and adventurous investigations of new territories. Photography, sculpture, painting, and multimedia works all stand out across the UK gallery network, reflecting the vibrant diversity of contemporary and historical artistic practice. Many venues provide longer opening times and dedicated evening programmes to suit different timetables, whilst educational offerings and curator-led visits deliver richer understanding into the works on display. This week offers a prime chance to find rising voices, return to cherished pieces, or encounter entirely new artistic perspectives that might stimulate and deepen your understanding of visual culture.
- Modern artistic installations exploring cultural themes and modern identity across leading exhibition spaces
- Retrospective exhibitions honouring renowned creators’ careers and artistic evolution over many years
- Photography and mixed-media displays examining scenic work, portrait studies, and abstract concepts
- Longer operating times and curator-led visits available at museums and galleries taking part across the country
Streaming, Gaming and Audio Entertainment
Television Debuts
This week’s streaming services provide compelling viewing for those who prefer staying indoors. Multiple upcoming series are debuting across major services, bringing new stories that range across genres from compelling dramatic content to feel-good comedies. Whether you’re seeking deeply-drawn characters or plot-driven entertainment, the week ahead provides diverse options to match distinct preferences and preferences. Many platforms are dropping full seasons simultaneously, enabling audiences to watch at their own speed, whilst others are spacing out episodes weekly to sustain viewer engagement and debate amongst audiences.
Original productions remain dominant across 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 programmes examining contemporary issues sit alongside fictional narratives tackling complex themes, ensuring there’s intellectual substance alongside pure entertainment value. These releases reflect considerable spending in quality production, with cinematography, performances and scriptwriting often matching theatrical releases in ambition and execution.
Fresh Music Releases
The upcoming week brings fresh musical offerings across various styles, from established artists releasing expected releases to up-and-coming artists making their debut. Streaming services are highlighting curated playlists featuring the most important new music, making exploring new sounds simple for audiences looking for fresh material. Whether you prefer pop, rock, hip-hop, electronic or alternative music, there’s considerable new music to discover. Artists are using innovative distribution approaches, with some offering exclusive content to specific platforms or releasing physical formats alongside digital versions, catering to diverse audience preferences.
Music journalists and critics are already weighing in on the week’s standout releases, with reviews assisting people in exploring the substantial amount of new material. Podcasts exploring music topics offer comprehensive exploration of notable works, investigating the artist’s vision and broader cultural relevance. Playlists on music streaming services compile themed compilations, exposing audiences to songs they might otherwise miss. Social media campaigns tied to launches build fan interaction, with fans posting responses and endorsements, encouraging discussion around new music on social channels.
Gaming and Audio Content
Gaming titles this week cover multiple platforms, offering everything from indie titles with creative mechanics to major franchise entries. Podcasts continue flourishing as sound-based content, with new episodes covering entertainment news, cultural commentary, comedy and investigative journalism. Whether you’re interested in multiplayer competition, story-focused games or casual mobile entertainment, there’s substantial content to explore. Podcast networks are broadening their collections with varied perspectives and perspectives, ensuring listeners can find programming that genuinely appeals to their interests and intellectual curiosity.
- New independent games delivering creative gameplay features and distinctive artistic styles
- Podcast episodes showcasing conversations featuring entertainment industry figures and cultural commentators
- Leading franchise gaming releases available across console, PC, and mobile platforms
