It’s show time! Sandra Bullock’s female gangster. Colin Firth’s tragic Atlantic adventure. And the Mary Poppins sequel we’ve spent more than half a century waiting for. Our guide to the 100 unmissable events of 2018 begins with ten must-see movies
FILM
By Matthew Bond
1. Coco
Out January 19
The first Pixar film to be released since studio chief John Lasseter took six months’ leave of absence after admitting ‘missteps’ with female employees. Despite the whiff of scandal, American audiences have been flocking to see the magical story of Miguel, a musically gifted 12-year-old who travels to Mexico’s Land of the Dead in search of his great-great-grandfather and musical idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Thank heavens his frail great-grandmother, Mama Coco, is still around to help.
Taylor Swift plays the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, June 8-9. She’s on tour until June 23
We’ve already had an all-female Ghostbusters. Now, it’s the turn of the Ocean’s Eleven heist franchise to get gender-rebalanced, with Sandra Bullock, playing Danny Ocean’s sister, Debbie
Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man in Avengers. Last time out the enemy was Ultron, this time it’s ubervillain Thuron
Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible 6. Cruise is clearly hoping to help renew a franchise that’s now been running for an astonishing 22 years
Will Gluck unveils his considerably updated take – a mix of ultra-realistic animation and live action – on Beatrix Potter’s best-known story, Peter Rabbit
Russian spies are sent to Sparrow School, where they are trained in the dark arts of seduction and manipulation. Jennifer Lawrence stars
2. The Mercy Out
February 9
In 1969, an unknown yachtsman, Donald Crowhurst, hit the headlines when he appeared to be close to winning the Golden Globe non-stop round-the-world yacht race, having apparently seen off the experienced likes of Robin Knox-Johnston and Chay Blyth. And then Crowhurst’s yacht, the Teignmouth Electronic, was found adrift and abandoned in the mid-Atlantic and one of the strangest – and saddest – stories in maritime history slowly began to emerge. Colin Firth stars as the doomed adventurer.
3. Peter Rabbit
Out March 16
The works of Beatrix Potter have slightly fallen from fashion of late, and certainly been overlooked by feature film animators. But all that will change as Will Gluck unveils his considerably updated take – a mix of ultra-realistic animation and live action – on Potter’s best-known story. James Corden lends his voice to Peter, Daisy Ridley and Margot Robbie add support as Cottontail and Flopsy, while Domhnall Gleeson plays the now rather young, handsome but still fearsome gardener Mr McGregor. Possibly not for Potter traditionalists…
4. Avengers: Infinity War
Out April 27
Last time out the enemy was Ultron, this time it’s ubervillain Thuron, who’s intent on gathering all the ‘infinity stones’ for himself and threatening the future of the universe in the process. Good thing that Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow and co are around to stop him, although with Guardians Of The Galaxy characters joining the already much expanded Avengers team, keeping up with who’s who could be challenging.
5. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Out June 8
The Hollywood film-making machine has become highly skilled in rebooting old franchises, with 2015’s wonderful Jurassic World very much a case in point. Can lightning possibly strike twice? Well, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are both back as the closed theme park – and its dinosaur inhabitants – are threatened by an erupting volcano.
Emily Blunt looks born to play the part of Mary Poppins in the long-awaited sequel (a mere 54 years) to the iconic children’s film
The Hollywood film-making machine has become highly skilled in rebooting old franchises, with 2015’s wonderful Jurassic World very much a case in point
6. Ocean’s 8
Out June 22
We’ve already had an all-female Ghostbusters and good fun it was too. Now, it’s the turn of the Ocean’s Eleven heist franchise to get gender-rebalanced, with Sandra Bullock, playing Danny Ocean’s sister, Debbie, leading the star-studded way. With New York’s ultraexclusive Met Gala the target, expect exquisite frocks, expensive rocks and a supporting cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling and Rihanna.
7. Mission: Impossible 6
Out July 27
Tom Cruise clearly believes he has found a winning team. Christopher McQuarrie, who’s already directed Cruise in Jack Reacher and written the screenplay for Edge Of Tomorrow, returns to direct and co-write his second Mission: Impossible film in a row. And he’s not alone – Rebecca Ferguson, who was fabulous in M:I5 as the British agent Ilsa Faust, is back too, clearly hoping to help renew a franchise that’s now been running for an astonishing 22 years.
8. Mary Poppins Returns
Out December 21
The long-awaited sequel (a mere 54 years) to the iconic children’s film promises to be one of the highlights of the movie year. Emily Blunt looks born to play the part of Mary Poppins, Meryl Streep lends comic support and Dick Van Dyke makes a sentimental return. Let’s hope his accent is better this time around.
9. Red Sparrow
Out March 2
Adapted from a novel by former CIA operative Jason Matthews, but surely reminding everyone of the real-life Russian spy Anna Chapman, this is the story of young, good-looking Russian spies who are sent to Sparrow School, where they are trained in the dark arts of seduction and manipulation. Jennifer Lawrence adds class to this rather tawdry-sounding tale.
10. Ready Player One
Out March 30
Wade Watts escapes a bleak, dystopian future by immersing himself in a virtual reality universe known as ‘The Oasis’. When its inventor, James Halliday (Mark Rylance), dies he leaves behind a hidden ‘Easter egg’ in ‘The Oasis’ worth a half-trillion dollars to its finder. Confused? All you really need to know about this film is that it looks stunning and is directed by Steven Spielberg.
MUSIC
By Tim de Lisle
11. Lady Gaga
Arena Birmingham
January 31. On tour until February 8
Back in action after suffering from ‘severe physical pain’. While wishing her all the best, I hope it will encourage her to do what she does best: sit at the piano and sing.
Taylor Swift. If you’re hell-bent on conquering the world, the time comes when you have to play its football grounds
Lady Gaga is back in action after suffering from ‘severe physical pain’
The under- 40s will flock to All Points East, featuring the xx, St Vincent, Sampha and Lorde
Nothing announced yet, but the planets are in alignment. Jagger and Richards turn 75 this year, and there’s talk of ‘getting plans in place’ for a British tour
12. Kendrick Lamar
Genting Arena, Birmingham
February 9
On tour until February 20 Lamar is riding high with DAMN, his first American No 1 album. But will its minimalist hip-hop work in the arenas?
Ian Dury’s son Baxter has a voice of his own – deep, laconic and lovably sinister
13. Baxter Dury
Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
February 19. On tour until May 6
Ian Dury’s son has a voice of his own – deep, laconic and lovably sinister.
14. Randy Newman
Usher Hall , Edinburgh
March 8. On tour until March 14
The funniest person in pop has a new record, for once – the dazzling Dark Matter. But the biggest laughs may still be reserved for I’m Dead (But I Don’t Know It).
15. Joan Baez
Barbican, York
March 13. On tour until March 22, then May 23-29
After charming audiences for 60 years, Baez is retiring from ‘formal extended touring’. She finishes with two nights at the Albert Hall, which will be awash with emotion.
16. Bryan Ferry
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
April 9. On tour until May 3
The last man standing from the golden age of glam. Expect tracks from Roxy Music’s audacious debut, reissued on February 2.
17. The Waterboys
Bournemouth Pavilion
April 26. On tour until August 3
There’s more to Mike Scott than The Whole Of The Moon. His double LP Out Of All This Blue, celebrating love in later life, is a treat.
18. All Points East
Victoria Park, London
May 25-27, June 2 & 3
With Glastonbury taking a year off, we need two festivals to replace it. The under- 40s will flock to this new event, featuring the xx, St Vincent, Sampha and Lorde. Others may prefer British Summer Time (Hyde Park, London, July 6-14), with Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and Bruno Mars.
19. Taylor Swift
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
June 8-9. On tour until June 23
If you’re hell-bent on conquering the world, the time comes when you have to play its football grounds. But on those long summer evenings, what are Taylor’s fans meant to do with the home-made light-bulb placards?
20. The Rolling Stones
Nothing announced yet, but the planets are in alignment. Jagger and Richards turn 75 this year, and there’s talk of ‘getting plans in place’ for a British tour. Plus, Sir Mick has one more mouth to feed – Deveraux, his baby with dancer Melanie Hamrick.
TELEVISION
By Mark Wareham
26. Britannia
Roman invasion epic as the Imperial Army, commanded by David Morrissey’s Aulus Plautius, takes on the Celts (Zoë Wanamaker is their queen) and druids led by Mackenzie Crook’s Veran, described as the Dalai Lama meets Charles Manson.
Sky Atlantic, January 18
A Very English Scandal, the sex scandal leading up to the Jeremy Thorpe trial in 1979. Hugh Grant plays Thorpe and Ben Whishaw his lover
27. Collateral
Playwright David Hare’s first original TV series is a thriller taking place across four episodes and four days as events unravel from the shooting of a pizza-delivery man. Stars Carey Mulligan, John Simm and Billie Piper.
BBC2, February
28. Save Me
Roguish chancer Nelly (Lennie James) is arrested for the abduction of the daughter he barely knows. Reunited with the girl’s mother (Suranne Jones), he sets out to catch the culprit in a six-part thriller.
Sky Atlantic, February 29.
29. Bodyguard
Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio’s new drama stars Richard Madden as a protection officer guarding Home Secretary Keeley Hawes, whose politics he despises. The stage is set for a thriller dripping with typical Mercurio intrigue.
BBC1, Spring 30.
30. King Lear
Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson take the leads in Richard Eyre’s Shakespeare tragedy set in a totalitarian dictatorship in England. The cast includes Emily Watson, Jim Broadbent, Andrew Scott and Christopher Eccleston.
BBC2, Spring
31. A Very English Scandal
Doctor Who guru Russell T Davies and Philomena director Stephen Frears dramatise the sex scandal leading up to the Jeremy Thorpe trial in 1979. Hugh Grant plays Thorpe and Ben Whishaw his lover.
BBC1, Autumn
32. Troy: fall of a city
Created by The Night Manager’s David Farr, this visceral retelling of the fall of Troy stars David Threlfall and Frances O’Connor.
BBC1, tbc
33. Vanity Fair
Thackeray’s classic novel is adapted in seven parts, casting Olivia Cooke as Becky Sharp and scattering stars by the score – Tom Bateman, Simon Russell Beale, Martin Clunes and Michael Palin as Thackeray.
ITV, Summer/Autumn
Thackeray’s classic novel Vanity Fair is adapted in seven parts, casting Olivia Cooke as Becky Sharp and scattering stars by the score
34. Press
Doctor Foster creator Mike Bartlett’s new state-of-the-nation drama is set in the increasingly uncertain post-Leveson world of newspapers, and stars David Suchet, Charlotte Riley and Ben Chaplin.
BBC1, Autumn
35. Patrick Melrose
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the eponymous anti-hero, a messedup playboy, in a decades-spanning odyssey written by One Day author David Nicholls and based on Edward St Aubyn’s acclaimed semi-autobiographical novels.
Sky Atlantic, tbc
BOOKS
By Neil Armstrong
FICTION
36. The Executor
Blake Morrison
Chatto & Windus, £16.99 March 15
When poet Robert Pope dies, his literary executor Matt Holmes makes a series of discoveries that undermine everything he thought he knew about his friend.
37. Circe
Madeline Miller
Bloomsbury, £16.99, April 19
Miller’s debut novel The Song Of Achilles won the Orange Prize. For her second novel, she returns to the world of Greek mythology to tell the story of Circe, the wood-dwelling witch of Homer’s Odyssey.
38. Never Anyone But You
Rupert Thomson
Corsair, £18.99, June 5
The story of a love affair between two French women – surrealist artists – who dream up a propaganda campaign against the Nazis.
39. The Female Persuasion
Meg Wolitzer
Chatto & Windus, £16.99, June 7
Wolitzer’s follow-up to the best-selling The Interestings is about power and influence, womanhood and ambition.
40. Transcription
Kate Atkinson
Doubleday, £20, September 6
Juliet Armstrong is recruited as a young woman by an obscure wartime department of the Secret Service. Afterwards, she joins the BBC, where her life begins to unravel…
NON-FICTION
41. Brave
Rose McGowan
HQ, £20, January 30
Actress activist McGowan says: ‘My life, as you will read, has taken me from one cult to another. Brave is the story of how I fought my way out of these cults and reclaimed my life. I want to help you do the same.’
42. David Cameron: Memoirs
William Collins, tbc
The former PM says: ‘I am looking forward to having the opportunity to explain the decisions I took and why I took them.’ As yet untitled and no publication date is set.
43. The Colour Of Time: A New History Of The World, 1850-1960
Marina Amaral and Dan Jones
Head of Zeus, £25, August 2
Brazilian artist Marina Amaral is famous for her colourisations of black and white photographs. She’s teamed up with historian Jones to tell the story of a century of history in pictures.
44. Educated
Tara Westover
Hutchinson, £14.99 February 22
Westover grew up in Idaho with no official records of her birth and no schooling. This is an astonishing and uplifting story about the transformative power of education.
45. Roger Daltrey: Memoirs
Blink Publishing, tbc
The Who singer says he’s spent three years working out who did what, when, and why for his memoir. ‘When you’ve spent half a century at the epicentre of a band like The Who, perspective can be a problem,’ he says. ‘Everything happened in the moment.’
ART
By Philip Hensher
46. Ocean Liners: Speed And Style
Victoria & Albert Museum, London
February 3-June 10
The great age of ocean liners was also an opportunity for the most extravagant contemporary design: this should be an impressive survey of Art Deco and other excesses.
Junks, 1913. Emil Nolde was one of the greatest German expressionists, and a supreme colourist
SS Normandie arrives in New York, 1935. Ocean Liners: Speed And Style at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London
Girl With A White Dog, 1950, by Lucian Freud
47. Emil Nolde
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh
July 14-October 21
Nolde was one of the greatest German expressionists, and a supreme colourist. His fate and survival of the Nazis is the subject of a great novel by Siegfried Lenz, and here is his splendid work in bulk.
48. All Too Human: Bacon, Freud And A Century Of Painting Life
Tate Britain, London
February 28-August 27
Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon stand at the head of British painting, and here is a grand survey of the highly original figurative art of their time.
49. Fernand Leger Tate Liverpool
November 23 to March 17, 2019
The great French artist gets a rare survey. His instantly recognisable style, decorative and pleasing, deserves to be considered seriously.
Two women Holding Flowers, 1954. Fernand Leger Tate Liverpool, November 23 to March 17, 2019
Charles I: King And Collector, Royal Academy of Arts, London
Picasso 1932, Tate Modern, London. This could be the exhibition of the year
50. Charles I: King And Collector
Royal Academy of Arts, London
January 27-April 15
Charles I was the finest of all royal collectors, and here is a serious attempt to reunite the magnificent collection that was dispersed after his execution.
51. Picasso 1932
Tate Modern, London
March 8-September 9
This could be the exhibition of the year, focusing on one of the greatest moments in the prolific painter’s life.
52. Andreas Gursky
Hayward Gallery, London
January 25-April 22
The most grandiose photographer of his generation. Here is a chance to see Gursky’s extraordinary images as they deserve, as spectacle.
Andreas Gursky Hayward Gallery, London. Bahrain I
View Of Bordighera, 1884. Mo net And Architecture, National Gallery, London
Mountain Nymph, Sweet Liberty, by Julia Margaret Cameron, 1866
Brighton Pier, 1958, Edward Bawden. The Dulwich speciality of British artists who crossed between commercial and fine art
53. Monet And Architecture
National Gallery, London
April 9-July 29
Many of Monet’s greatest paintings are of the play of light on buildings, including Rouen Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament. This should be a seriously enlightening exhibition about painter and subjects.
54. Victorian Giants: The Birth Of Art Photography
National Portrait Gallery, London
March 1-May 20
A wonderful subject for an exhibition: the discovery that the new technology of photography both was and was not much like the pictorial arts that had existed before.
55. Edward Bawden
Dulwich Picture Gallery, London
May 23-September 9
The Dulwich speciality of British artists who crossed between commercial and fine art hits a high point with the lovable and innovative Bawden.
THEATRE
By Robert Gore-Langton
56. Lady Windermere’s Fan
Vaudeville Theatre, London
January 12-April 7
Kathy Burke directs her former Ab Fab colleague Jennifer Saunders, as the Duchess of Berwick in Oscar Wilde’s elegant comedy.
Rory Kinnear and Anne-Marie Duff look daggers in Shakespeare’s shortest, scariest tragedy. Directed by Rufus Norris
57. Mary Stuart
Duke Of York’s Theatre, London
January 13-March 31, then on tour
Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams take alternate roles (decided on the night by the toss of a coin) as Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots in this acclaimed revival of Schiller’s classic.
58. Julius Caesar
The Bridge Theatre, London
January 20-April 15
Nicholas Hytner’s modern-dress production of Shakespeare’s Roman play stars Ben Whishaw (Q in James Bond) as Brutus and David Morrissey as Mark Antony.
Alfred Molina plays Fifties abstract artist Mark Rothko with Harry Potter’s Alfred Enoch as his assistant in John Logan’s acclaimed play, Red
Kathy Burke directs her former Ab Fab colleague Jennifer Saunders, as the Duchess of Berwick in Oscar Wilde’s elegant comedy, Lady Windermere’s Fan
59. Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Wyndham’s Theatre, London
January 27-April 7
Jeremy Irons and Lesley Manville co-star in Eugene O’Neill’s epic American drama about a family ripping itself apart.
60. Girls & Boys
Royal Court, London
February 8-March 17
Carey Mulligan stars in a new play by Dennis Kelly about a woman who meets her future husband in an easyJet queue and instantly hates him.
61. Frozen
Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
February 9-May 5
Doctor Foster’s Suranne Jones stars in Bryony Lavery’s creepy drama about a mother, her daughter and her daughter’s killer.
62. Macbeth
National Theatre, London
February 26-May 12
Rory Kinnear and Anne-Marie Duff look daggers in Shakespeare’s shortest, scariest tragedy. Directed by Rufus Norris.
63. Red
Wyndham’s Theare, London
May 4-July 28
Alfred Molina plays Fifties abstract artist Mark Rothko with Harry Potter’s Alfred Enoch as his assistant in John Logan’s acclaimed play, directed by Michael Grandage.
Frozen. Doctor Foster’s Suranne Jones stars in Bryony Lavery’s creepy drama about a mother, her daughter and her daughter’s killer
64. The Lieutenant Of Inishmore
Noel Coward Theatre, London
June 23-September 8
Poldark star Aidan Turner makes his West End debut in Martin McDonagh’s outrageous black comedy about an IRA bomber and an assassinated cat.
65. The Madness Of George III
Nottingham Playhouse
November 2-17
Mark Gatiss, of Sherlock fame, plays the married monarch whose mind unravels in Alan Bennett’s entertaining history drama.
CLASSICAL
By David Mellor
66. Leopold Stokowski
Complete Decca Recordings
Out January 12
The sound on these recordings is amazing, and the performances always compelling, from one of the 20th century’s great podium geniuses, who once shook hands with Mickey Mouse (in Fantasia, below).
Leonard Bernstein, above, was conductor, pianist, educator and a composer of both Broadway shows (West Side Story) and serious symphonic music
67. Leonard Bernstein Centenary
Barbican, London
January 27-28
Leonard Bernstein, above, was conductor, pianist, educator and a composer of both Broadway shows (West Side Story) and serious symphonic music. Is he as good now he’s dead as everyone thought he was when he was alive?
68. Joseph Calleja
Verdi
Decca, out February 2
For me, the Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja has the finest lyric tenor voice around. This Verdi album will hit the spot for anyone who loves Italian opera.
69. Cendrillon
In cinemas, April 28
This is one of Massenet’s best efforts. Joyce DiDonato is in form at the moment and the star of this production from New York’s Metropolitan Opera. For the price of a cinema ticket, it’s irresistible.
70. Parry Anniversary Concert
Royal Festival Hall, London
May 10
Hubert Parry died in the flu epidemic at the end of the First World War and at his best could seriously rival Elgar as a creator of quintessentially British music.
71. Kiss Me, Kate
Opera North
On tour May 23-July 7
Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate is spectacular – a Shakespeare take-off that really works, with some of Porter’s finest numbers.
72. Oklahoma!
Grange park opera, Surrey
June 7-July 14
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s work suits operatic voices and this, their first big collaboration, is a must-see.
73. Isabeau
Ppera Holland Park, london
July 14-28
First UK performance of an opera by Mascagni (of Cavalleria Rusticana fame), with rising young British tenor David Butt Philip. If it’s good enough for him…
74. The Ring
Royal Opera House, London
September 24-November 2
A Ring Cycle is always an event, but Keith Warner’s production is poor. But The Ring is like Mount Everest – you can’t ignore it.
75. Great War Symphony
Royal Albert Hall, London
October 9
Patrick Hawes’s Great War Symphony is a new choral work in aid of the Armed Forces charity SSAFA. It is premiered as part of the national commemorations to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
MUSICALS
By Robert Gore-Langton
76. The Last Ship
Northern Stage, Newcastle Upon Tyne
March 12-April 7, then on tour
British premiere of Sting’s autobiographical story of a shipbuilding town. It features local lad Jimmy Nail with music and lyrics by Sting.
77. Strictly Ballroom The Musical
PiccadillyTtheatre, London
March 16-July 21
Will Young and Zizi Strallen star in this stage version of the cult 1992 Baz Luhrmann film, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie.
The King And I. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s much-loved 1951 musical features Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe in this award-winning Broadway revival
Newcomer Adrienne Warren makes her West End debut in this story of the rise of strutting pop diva Tina Turner (pictured)
78. Tina The Musical
Aldwych Theatre, London
March 21-June 16
Newcomer Adrienne Warren makes her West End debut in this story of the rise of strutting pop diva Tina Turner. The staging is by Mamma Mia! director Phyllida Lloyd.
79. An Officer And A Gentleman – the musical
Curve, Leicester
April 6-21, then on tour
Based on the 1982 romantic weepie film starring Richard Gere.
80. Titanic The Musical
Mayflower theatre, Southampton
April 12-21, then on tour
First UK tour of Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s 1997 Broadway show about the supposedly unsinkable liner. It opens in the city from which the ship set sail.
An Officer And A Gentleman – the musical, based on the 1982 romantic weepie film starring Richard Gere
Musical of the sweetly innocent Cliff Richard Sixties film. Don and his cheery chums drive a double-decker bus to the Med
81. Moon Fleet
Salisbury playhouse
April 19-May 5
J Meade Falkner’s ripping yarn of smuggling and adventure set on the Dorset coast gets the musical treatment, with music and lyrics by Gareth Machin.
82. Chess
London Coliseum
April 26-June 2
The first major revival since the original 1986 production of this Cold War story of love and chess by Tim Rice and Abba’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.
83. Summer Holiday
Liverpool Empire
May 8-12, then on tour
Musical of the sweetly innocent Cliff Richard Sixties film. Don and his cheery chums drive a double-decker bus to the Med. Hits include Summer Holiday, Bachelor Boy and Living Doll.
84. The King And I
London Palladium
June 21-August 4
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s much-loved 1951 musical features Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe in this award-winning Broadway revival.
85. Company
Gielgud Theatre, London
September 26-December 22
Broadway star Patti LuPone and Rosalie Craig star in a new take on Stephen Sondheim’s 1970 bittersweet musical.
DANCE
By Rupert Christiansen
86. Strictly Come Dancing: the live tour
Arena Birmingham
January 19-21, then on tour until February 11
This year, Darcey Bussell replaces Len Goodman on the judging panel.
The Royal Ballet unveils a long-awaited new production of Tchaikovsky’s immortal tragedy, Swan Lake
87. Cinderella
Sadler’s Wells
Until January 27, then on tour until June 23
Matthew Bourne’s delightfully quirky version is set during London’s Blitz.
88. Jane Eyre
Grand theatre, Leeds
March 7-14, then on tour to June 9
A powerful version of Charlotte Brontë’s beloved novel, staged by Northern Ballet, with choreography by Cathy Marston.
89. Voices of America
Sadler’s wells, London
April 12-21
A thrilling programme of transatlantic contemporary dance, including a new work by William Forsythe.
90. Swan Lake
Royal Opera House, London
May 17-June 21
The Royal Ballet unveils a long-awaited new production of Tchaikovsky’s immortal tragedy.
COMEDY
By Mark Wareham
91. Chris Rock
January 11-28
The fearless US stand-up brings his Total Blackout tour to the UK – his first visit in a decade.
The panel-show princess Katherine Ryan gets back to the stand-up day job with Glitter Room, her first tour since 2015
92. Sarah Millican
January 13-December 6
The Geordie queen of smut takes her latest mammoth, year-long, 180-date tour, Control Enthusiast, to her adoring masses.
93. Katherine Ryan
January 18-March 24
The panel-show princess gets back to the stand-up day job with Glitter Room, her first tour since 2015.
94. Bill Bailey
January 29-June 16
Superior shenanigans from the West Country maverick with Larks In Transit, his compendium of tales from 20 years as a travelling jester.
Kiwis Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement get their bongo-funk folk comedy act back on the road for their first visit in more than seven years
After their triumphant return to the small screen, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith take their gallery of grotesques back to where it all began – the live arena
95. Dara O Briain
February 26-June 2
Fast-talking mental gymnastics from one of the sharpest minds in the game as Voice Of Reason marks his return to live performance.
96. Michael Mcintyre
March 1-November 11
The all-conquering light entertainer takes his Big World Tour around the globe from Cape Town to Christchurch via the UK’s big arenas.
97. Flight of the Conchords
March 5-April 3
Kiwis Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement get their bongo-funk folk comedy act back on the road for their first visit in more than seven years.
98. Kevin Bridges
August 23-December 9
The abrasive Glaswegian’s take on life comes with a spiky edge as he observes the end of the world as we know it in his Brand New tour.
99. The League of Gentlemen live again!
August 24-September 29
After their triumphant return to the small screen, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith take their gallery of grotesques back to where it all began – the live arena – for a first tour in 12 years.
100. Ross Noble
September 9-December 14
Expect the unexpected as the surreal storyspinning Geordie rambler notches up his 16th touring show with El Hablador.