OUT OF OFFICE
JUDI DENCH AT THE ROSE
One of the most noteworthy shows in London at the moment isn’t to be found in the West End, or even on Southbank. You have to head to Kingston to see Judi Dench starring as a rather senior Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, under the direction of the no-less-legendary Sir Peter Hall. While Dench is charming as the fairy Queen, Oliver Chris steals the show as Bottom. Until 20 Mar, Rose Theatre, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1HL. For details of late tickets, go to www.rosetheatrekingston.org.
BOOK NOW:FINLEY QUAYE RETURNS
King’s Cross venue the Scala is going through a mini 90s revival this month, with successive gigs from shoegazers Chapterhouse, singer-songwriter Babybird (AKA Stephen Jones of “You’re Gorgeous” fame) and, perhaps most notably, maverick chap Finley Quaye. Heaven knows where Quaye has been hiding these past few years, but he’ll be looking to have the sun shining at Pentonville Road. 24 Mar, Scala, 24 Pentonville Road, N1 9NL. Tickets £10 from www.scala-london.co.uk.
MICHELANGELO’S DREAM AT THE COURTAULD
We know him for his daubings on the Sistine Chapel ceiling and his statue of David – okay, and for being arguably the most important artistic figure of the Italian Renaissance –?and Michelangelo was a stupendous draughtsman as well. The Courtauld Gallery’s exhibition of a number of Michelangeo’s finest drawings, centring around his allegorical image The Dream, sheds further light on his extraordinary talent. Until 16 May, Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 0RN. www.courtauld.ac.uk.