International Women’s Day yesterday inspired us to be bold for change. This week’s round up for Lady Wimbledon takes a bold and female look of the best to do and see in South London this weekend and beyond.
Theatre
The wonderful Tamsin Greig [Black Books, Green Wing] is brilliantly cast as a gender-bending Malvolia in the National Theatre’s new production of Twelfth Night in the Olivier Theatre. Critics have heaped praise on a hilarious take on Shakespeare’s comedy.
Tamsin Greig in the National Theatre’s new production of Twelfth Night
Closer to home, Saturday night is press night for the Rose Theatre’s world premiere production of My Brilliant Friend, an adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s multi-million-selling Neapolitan novels about two female friends whose intense and decades-long love/hate relationship outlasts marriages and family.
Niamh Cusack and Catherine McCormack in rehearsals for My Brilliant Friend
Film
Russia has given a 16+ rating to Disney’s remake of Beauty & the Beast for portraying a manservant as openly gay. Critics in the UK have acclaimed the new live action film starring Emma Watson as subtle and brilliant, and given it five stars. Make your own mind up. (On general release in 2D, 3D and Imax at Odeon, Vue, Cineworld, Everyman and independent cinemas – check times locally)
Emma Watson in Beauty & the Beast
Or see Certain Women, starring Michelle Williams and Kristen Stewart, a tale of small town American life directed by “slow cinema” exponent Kelly Reichardt. The Guardian called it a “minor miracle”. Showing at the Ritzy, the Picturehouse Central, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts.
Events
Learn how to be a leading lady, debate what Brexit means for women, or discover why diversity boosts business profits. Get a weekend pass for the Women of the World festival at the Southbank Centre and immerse yourself in inspirational talks, events, speed mentoring, exhibits and market stalls, in honour of International Women’s Day. March 8 – 12, 9.30am – 6pm.
Southbank Centre’s WOW – Women of the World Festival Jude Kelly. Credit: Jo Spencer
Or visit the Garden of Light at Paternoster Square, EC4M 7DX, to absorb the quiet beauty of 2,100 daffodils in flower, each representing one of the Marie Curie nurses in the UK helping people battle terminal illness. Enjoy the beauty, make a donation and think about helping more with fundraising. Free, until March 12.
Books
Superwoman – the fantasy, careerist mum who has it all – is dead. To take her place, the actress Gillian Anderson and her friend Jennifer Nadel, a journalist, launch their book WE: A Manifesto For Women Everywhere on Friday 10 March, aiming to inspire and empower all women to be happier and more free. £15 – £25, Royal Festival Hall.
Jennifer Nadel and Gillian Anderson
Music
Not just music but a night of post-punk, henna and belly-dancing with the band Typical Girls at The Four Quarters, Peckham Rye, in support of the Women and Girls’ Network. Saturday 11 March.
Typical Girls show at 187 Rye Lane
The Loud Women music collective that champions women in music is launching its live album at The Sound Lounge on Upper Tooting Road, SW17, from 2pm on Saturday 18 March.
Loud Women party at The Sound Lounge
Coming Up
Music – Soak up some culture at the Indian Classical Music Festival at Merton Arts Space and Raynes Park Library, March 17 – 19.
Drama – Book now for The Elephant Girls, a bloody tale about a London girl gang that terrorised the city, being staged at Draper Hall, Elephant and Castle, April 6 – 22. Tickets from Eventbrite.
Event – Tickets have gone on sale for the annual Oxford and Cambridge Goat Race at Spitalfields City Farm, April 2, 12pm – 6pm. More details on Facebook.
Got an event you’d like us to publicise? Email: whatson@ladywimbledon.com
By ‘Culture Vulture’ Jenny Booth
Follow: @culturevult
Visit: mediastarsite.wordpress.com
About The Author
Jenny Booth
Jenny was a news journalist for The Times. An ex-teacher, mum, gardener and art lover, there’s nothing she doesn’t know about the local culture scene…