Do · 29 April 2026
Three jazz nights, a French time-jumping film, three new plays, and a Tony-winning Mary Todd Lincoln. Sunny Friday; overcast weekend — indoors leans well.
Music
Grammy-nominated US quintet's first studio album in six years, exploratory but tightly crafted — sits in the contemporary jazz lane between Metheny's groove instincts and Brubeck's piano-led architecture. Original material throughout.
Music
Cuban virtuoso pianist on tour for his Blue Note album Nueva Timba — Latin jazz with the rhythmic fire of Eliane Elias / Jobim territory. Early start, home well before 22:00.
Music
Parliamentary Jazz Award–winning vocalist (2018) — pure vocal jazz that sits in the Krall / Peyroux / Holly Cole sweet spot. Sunday nights at the 606 are reliably the best night of the week.
Cinema
Modern France collides with the Belle Époque as four estranged cousins inherit a Normandy farmhouse and trace their ancestor's path through 1895 Paris (Monet, Hugo, Sarah Bernhardt). Time Out called it "the heartwarming answer to Midnight in Paris" — Klapisch's warm, intelligent feel-good lane is exactly the About Time / Amélie axis.
Theatre
A wildlife photographer and his apprentice in pursuit of an elusive bird. New writing in Hampstead's intimate downstairs space — Pearson's playwriting debut, character-driven. Closes 23 May.
Theatre
Romola Garai (Olivier-winner for The Years) plays Nora in Ibsen's domestic tragedy. Sharp dialogue, character-driven moral tension — the 12 Angry Men / American History X axis. Closes 23 May.
Theatre
Two sets of parents — high-school shooting victim's, shooter's — attempt reconciliation years later. Cracknell directs Akhtar, Monica Dolan, Paul Hilton. Press night was 29 April; reviews are fresh. Moral tension with empathy: the Million Dollar Baby / Manchester by the Sea register.
Comedy
Tony-winning dark comedy about a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks before the assassination. Catherine Tate took over the role 27 April — fresh casting on a hot ticket. Sharp, observational, structurally clever; nothing slapstick. 80 minutes, no interval.
Coming Up · Theatre
Oldman's first stage role in 38 years. The Royal Court Downstairs is 380 seats — this will sell out. Beckett, character-driven, structurally clever.
Coming Up · Theatre
Olivier-buzzed transfer from the Almeida — female friendship in the Anne Boleyn era. Sold-out at Almeida; Lyndsey Turner (Chimerica) directs.
Coming Up · Theatre
New Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews, Admissions) — autobiographical 1980s New York, a hilariously eccentric grandmother and a complicated mother. Character-driven, sharp dialogue, his sweet spot.