Whats On This Week: From Coraline To Quacky Races 

For Easter weekend, it is apparently going to rain continuously until next Tuesday. Never mind. The Culture Vulture hot list this week includes plenty of things to do in the dry.

Holidays are a good opportunity to go into the city centre. There’s a beautiful, absorbing exhibition over at Dulwich Picture Gallery of works by the Canadian 20th century modernist painter David Milne. Why has it taken so long to hold the first major exhibition of his work in the UK? Tickets £15.50 (£7 concessions, children free).

I’ll be heading to the Barbican on Saturday for the world premiere of Coraline, the dark children’s fantasy by Neil Gaiman which has been turned into a new opera by leading composer Mark-Anthony Turnage. There are still a few tickets available for this Royal Opera House production, priced between £15-£38.

Critics have been obsessed this week by comparing the two rival, modern dress productions of Macbeth. General opinion seems to prefer the Royal Shakespeare Company version starring Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack to the National Theatre production. If you can’t trek over to Stratford upon Avon, never fear, because it’s being screened live in cinemas at 7pm on April 11.

Niamh Cusack and Christopher Eccleston in Macbeth | photo Richard Davenport (c) RSC

There are two great children’s theatre shows on locally. Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake is previewing at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon. Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine, which has consistently been getting four and five star reviews for its zany energy, opened at Rose Theatre Kingston last night. While you’re there, don’t miss the new Rose At 10 exhibition of costumes and props from the theatre’s landmark shows since it opened in 2008.

Looking ahead, book now for the Easter Ragas festival of classical and contemporary Indian music from April 6-8 in Earlsfield’s new arts venue, Tara Arts.

Holiday activities for kids

• Hotel du Vin Cannizaro House on West Side Common in Wimbledon is hosting a free chocolate hunt and facepainting for kids from 12-2pm on Friday, March 30, in aid of Momentum children’s charity.
• National Trust property Morden Hall Park is once again hosting its popular Cadbury’s Easter Egg trail from March 30-April 4, 10am-4pm (£4 per child);

• Learn what ducks really like to eat by following a duck trail at Morden Hall Park from April 3-8, 11am-4pm (£2, includes a packet of duck food); and take part in the Quacky Races with plastic ducks on the river Wandle on April 7 and 8, 11am-3pm (£2 per duck).
• Don’t forget you can play the Chicken Game for free in Wimbledon town centre by following online clues to find free chocolate. Download the app here.

Have a wonderful Easter, and keep an eye on Twitter for more of what’s on round Wimbledon.