25 reasons to be cheerful

10:31am Thursday 9th October 2008

With another dark, cold winter almost upon us and the credit crunch well and truly crunching here are 25 events that are guranteed to put a smile on your face.

Body Worlds

The Mirror Of Time

Dr Gunther von Hagen prepares to uniquely explore the human body with his exhibition of, well, real human bodies. It is destined to shock and intrigue, but the controversial show is definitely one not to be missed. Although it’s probably not for the faint hearted.

• From October 24, O2 Bubble, SE10, theo2.co.uk 0844 856 0202

Michael McIntyre

Michael McIntyre reprises his critically acclaimed UK tour after recent appearances on Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo, to celebrate the release of his first DVD this November. This will probably be the last chance to catch him in a more intimate venue; chances are that next time around he’ll be splitting sides in arenas.

• Tuesday October 28, IndigO2, SE10, indigo2.co.uk 0844 844 0002

Steve Coogan

There’s no doubting Steve Coogan’s position as one of the most loved and established comedians in the country. On his latest tour he prepares to remind us exactly why he deserves to be up there, revisting classic characters and introducing new faces. Oh, and there is, of course, an appearance by the incomparable Alan Partridge.

• Monday December 8, O2 Arena, SE10, theo2.co.uk 0844 856 0202

Chicken

Playwright Mike Batistick’s comedy centres around Wendell’s stressful family life in the Bronx. With the troubles of his messed up neighbours, his house squatting best friend and his heavily pregnant wife, Wendell tries to repair all his problems by taking in a rooster to train for an illegal death match. Needless to say, it wasn’t the best plan ever to be thought up.

• November 25 - December 13, Hackney Empire, E8 hackneyempire.co.uk 8985 2424

Sunday Jazz

There doesn’t seem to be a more suitable soundtrack to a slow Sunday afternoon than a spot of jazz. With a rotating, celebrity line-up on the first Sunday of every month and a cool, laid back atmosphere, a one off visit won’t suffice.

• 12.45pm every Sunday, Queens Theatre, RM11, queens-theatre.co.uk 01708 443333

Moscow Ballet: Coppélia

Some of the finest Russian dancers make it to the Queen’s Theatre after an international tour that has seen them grace some of the more glamorous stages in the world. The famous ballet performance retains its majesty, setting the audience alight with its fairytale magic.

• Sunday November 9, Queens Theatre, RM11 queens-theatre.co.uk 01708 443333

The Witches Of Eastwick

Finchley & Friern Barnet Operatic Society bring the popular comedy musical to the stage. Based on the novel by John Updike, and made famous by the 1987 film starring Jack Nicholson and Cher, the show promises to feature the much-loved songs ‘Dance with the Devil’ and ‘Dirty Laundry’, and promises not to feature the less-loved Cher.

• November 4-8, Millfield Arts Centre, N18 www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk 020 8482 6923

John Kindness: An English Interior

Belfast artist John Kindness brings his tea stained art to London, and combines them with rare works by Dudley D. Watkins (the creator of The Dandy’s Desperate Dan) and William Hogarth to present an unconventional representation of an 18th century English room.

• Until December 31, The Foundling Museum, WC1N www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk, 020 7841 3600

Come Dancing

Ray Davies, front-man of legendary rock band The Kinks, tries his hand at writing and starring in his own musical, with excellent results. Set around the Ilford Palais in the 1950s, Come Dancing is inspired by The Kinks’ hit of the same name and the sheer magic of dancing away every Saturday night. With a full band line up and all new songs penned by Davies, fans of his work should book up the front row.

• Until October 25, Theatre Royal Stratford East, stratfordeast.com, 8534 0310

Dance Umbrella

Contemporary dance all around London including Transports Exceptionnels at Victoria Park and other venues. The delightful duo of man and a 13-tonne digger is not to be missed. Other highlights include 100 teenagers dancing to Shostakovich in the royal Albert Hall and Rodrigo Pardo’s Toilet Tango which is being performed in the Bathstore on Baker Street.

• Until November 30, various venues (0844 4124312 danceumbrella.co.uk)

Classical SEASON

The O2 is seeing it’s first classical season in the IndigO2 in association with Classic FM and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Starting the season is Here Come the Classics and highlights include the RPO, along with Julian Lloyd Webber and Chloë Hanslip, performing the UK premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantasia, based on themes of Phantom of the Opera.

• October 12 December 22, Indigo O2, SE10 (0844 844 0002.theindigo2.co.uk)

Renaissance Faces : Van Eyck to Titian

This landmark exhibition will explore the dramatic rise of portraiture in the Renaissance. It will feature works by the great masters of Northern and Southern Europe, including Raphael, Titian, Botticelli, Van Eyck, Holbein, Dürer, Lotto, Pontormo and Bellini.

• October 15 - January 18, National Gallery, EC2 (7747 2885, nationalgalllery.org.uk)

Burn After Reading

The new film by the Coen brothers is a comedy with an outstanding cast including, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and John Malkovich. Two unscrupulous gym employees find a disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent and they attempt to sell it.

• Released October 17

Quantum of Solace

The eagerly awaited second Bond film starring Daniel Craig. Directed by (Monster’s Ball) Marc Forster and starring Gemma Arterton as the bond girl. Bond seeking revenge for the death of his love, sets out to stop an environmentalist from taking control of a country's water supply.

• Realeased 31 October

W

Oliver Stone directs this film which chronicles the life and presidency of George W. Bush. James Brolin plays George W Bush. Thandie Newton plays Condoleezza Rice.

• Released November 7

Monkey: Journey to the West

Damon Albarn’s Chinese opera of the '70s cult TV classic Monkey with graphics by Jamie Hewlett received rave review when it showed at the Royal Operal House in the summer. Don’t miss it.

• November 8 – December 5, O2 Arena, SE10 (0844 856 0202 www.theO2.co.uk)

Leonard Cohen

For four decades, Leonard Cohen has been one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time. Cohen was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a speech by Lou Reed on March 10, 2008 for his status among the "highest and most influential echelon of songwriters".[1] See him live at the O2 in November.

• November 13-14, O2 Arena, SE10 (0844 856 2022, theo2.co.uk)

The Royal Ballet

Manon has become such a backbone of the Royal Ballet's repertoire that it is easy to forget what a shock it was when it was first revealed in the 1970s. Indeed some of the scenes are so passionate and overtly sexual that various early critics considered it to be tasteless, unsavoury and vulgar. Over 30 years down the line, the ballet is now justly hailed as a masterpiece. Not to be missed.

• Manon, From October 11 - November 22, Covent Garden, WC2 (7304 4000, roh.org.uk)

Hamlet

Shakespeare's great tragedy of a young man haunted by his father's ghost and driven to the edge of madness in his obsession to avenge his death. David Tennant plays the title role with Patrick Stewart as Claudius, directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran • December 3 – January 10 2009, Novello, WC2 (0870 950 0940), delfontmackintosh.co.uk)

Coldplay

The hugely successful band who have sold over 40 million albums play the O2 for three nights.

• December 14-16, O2 Arena, SE10 (0844 856 2022, theO2.co.uk)

Oliver!

Cameron Mackintosh presents his triumphant new staging of Lionel Bart’s masterpiece "OLIVER!" at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which was last seen at the Palladium in 1994. Nancy will be played by Jodie Prengar the winner of the TV show I’ll Do Anything and Fagin will be played by Rowan Atkinson.

• December 12 - September 26 2009, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, WC2 (0870 890 1109, theatreroyaldrurylane.co.uk)