This weekend in the capital boasts plenty to do. To begin with, the streets will be lined with green as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations kick off from Saturday. And no doubt London’s best pubs for a Guinness will be buzzing day and night.
And for those seeking an art fix, there’s a fantastic line up for Saturday and Sunday.
Here are our picks of what to do in London this weekend (March 16-17).
Must-see: Manhunt
Royal Court, royalcourttheatre.com
Following Nicholas Hytner’s smash Giant, the uncompromising Robert Icke — very possibly the greatest director of his generation — is the second starry name to put on a play at the Royal Court under David Byrne. Best known for his idiosyncratic reinventions of classic texts, here Icke offers a brand new play. In it, he explores the story of Raoul Moat, the Geordie killer. It opened last week to critical acclaim, and tickets, although limited, are still available. Get one before they’re snapped up. Until May 3
Art fix: Tunga
Lisson Gallery, lissongallery.com
In the largest contemporary exhibition ever held at the museum, more than 40 new works by Sir Grayson Perry, below, will be on show, from ceramics to works made with digital technology. “Delusions of Grandeur will interrogate the very nature of craft-making and our drive for perfectionism,” says the Wallace Collection, marking a questioning, decorative display from one of the country’s most contemplative and respected artists.
Hot table: Acme Fire Cult
Dalston, acmefirecult.com
Acme: the point at which something is at its best or most highly developed. Andrew Clarke named his live fire restaurant aptly, though lately, after a menu reshuffle and a few tweaks, the Dalston restaurant’s on better form than ever. Expecting some beardy tribute to nose-to-tail dining? Forget it. Clarke does alchemy of a kind with vegetables, transforming them from back-up dancer to lead singer. Not to say he doesn’t do a mean pork chop or two.
Screen gems
Mobland
Out now, Paramount +
Guy Ritchie’s a busy boy: following last year’s The Gentlemen — a tale of drug lords, propa Landanas and aristos at their wit’s end — here he co-produces and directs Tom Hardy as Harry, a fixer for the Harrigan family. Who are the Harrigans? Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, that’s who. It has all the usual Ritchie guff (fast cars, Georgian mansions, questionable tailoring) but undoubtedly is a hoot.
La Cocina
Out April 4, in cinemas,
This story of devilishly handsome actor Richard Burton’s formative years in a Welsh mining town comes in the centenary year of his birth. Starring are Harry Lawtey as the young actor and Toby Jones as his influential teacher Philip Burton, who spotted his talent for dramatics early on and had a “profound impact” on the boy. Burton starred in the likes of Hollywood blockbuster Cleopatra and is considered one of the greatest stage actors ever to grace the boards. Less is known about his early life, and this heartfelt tale of a complicated bromance between pupil and mentor is a welcome spotlight. Lesley Manville co-stars.
The big read: The Golden Throne, Christopher de Bellaigue
Out now
Christopher de Bellaigue’s second volume of his trilogy on Suleiman the Magnificent is as gripping as the first, which is saying something. The nature of the Ottoman autocracy was so grim and the character of Suleiman so terrifying that our author doesn’t have to make anything up to produce a terrific story. He just makes the most of it.
Listen: Only Dust Remains, Backxwash
Out now
The award-winning ZambianCanadian rapper and producer Backxwash, real name Ashanti Mutinta, subtly dropped her album at the end of last week. But the under-the-radar approach belies what is a potently powerful record, her best since 2020’s God Has Nothing to Do with This Leave Him Out of It. Her sound is cinematic and eerie, often pounding and relentless, but strangely hopeful. Lyrically, she seems to have at last freed herself from her demons. Only dust remains, indeed.
Don’t miss: Gavin Friday
April 6, EartH, earthackney.co.uk
On Sunday, the Irish singer and composer (and ex-Virgin Prune) Gavin Friday, above, heads to Dalston for his first UK show in 17 years in support of his new-ish solo album Ecce Homo. What’s the sound? Gothic, industrial, electronic, hypnotic. Imagine Pet Shop Boys suddenly developed a passion for Aleister Crowley and you’re half way there.
Book now: Late Late Electronic, Ronnie Scott’s
Next show April 25, ronniescotts.co.uk
Jazz should never stand still and Ronnie Scott’s is no exception. Lately, and for a little while, the club has been running its Late Late Electronic shows, a celebration of those artists who, as the setting and billing might suggest, blur the line between jazz and electronic music. The latest in the series is hosted by Chiminyo, on from now until November 7. What makes this especially worthwhile is that Chiminyo, one of Britain’s most provocative percussionists, will be releasing recordings of certain sets. With the extra pressure, expect it to be extra special.
