Catch a cultural blockbuster
Dance
Black Sabbath: The Ballet
When Carlos Acosta took charge of Birmingham Royal Ballet he promised surprising new work that celebrated the culture of the West Midlands. Well here it is, one of Brum’s biggest musical exports, Black Sabbath, soundtracking a new ballet by the choreographer Pontus Lidberg. The band’s hits will be orchestrated and played live. Lyndsey Winship
Birmingham Hippodrome, 23 to 30 September; then touring
TV
Boiling Point
Craving more agonisingly tense kitchen action after The Bear? Try this spin-off from the 2021 one-take film of the same name that starred Stephen Graham as Andy, a disastrously stressed chef with multiple addictions and an imploding restaurant. Picking up six months afterwards, in this series his deputy Carly sets up a rival venue with the help of Andy’s old staff. Rachel Aroesti
BBC One, date TBC
Art
Philip Guston
This exhibition was delayed because of anxiety about Guston’s cartoon paintings of hooded Ku Klux Klansmen. It was a strange timidity because his grotesquely comic images are clearly not glamorising these characters. Here he is now, the American Goya, a painter of modern monsters produced by the sleep of reason. Jonathan Jones
Tate Modern, London, 5 October to 25 February
Jazz and global music
Gilberto Gil
Brazilian tropicália pioneer Gil plays what is billed as his last ever London show in October, celebrating a long relationship with the city that began in 1969 when he was exiled by the Brazilian military government. Expect his signature blend of finger-picking folk guitar, hip-swaying rhythms and euphoric vocal melodies. Ammar Kalia
Royal Albert Hall, London, 11 October
Rock and pop
Madonna
Originally scheduled to start in the US in July but postponed owing to illness, Madonna’s hit-heavy celebration of her four-decade career will now launch in the UK. Expect to hear some of the finest pop songs ever written, as well as witness a visual feast. Michael Cragg
The O2, London, 14 to 18 October and 5 & 6 December
Theatre
Lyonesse
A reclusive and talented actor disappears under mysterious circumstances. Thirty years on, she feels ready to tell her story – and summons a young female film executive to help with her comeback. But who is really in control of the narrative? This passionate and funny new play from Penelope Skinner stars Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James. Miriam Gillinson
Harold Pinter theatre, London, 17 October to 23 December
Games
Super Mario Bros Wonder
The world’s most famous plumber returns to his 2D roots in an idiosyncratic retro-themed platform adventure. Now you can play cooperatively alongside up to three friends, while the new Wonder Flower power-ups bring elements of the levels, such as the pipes, to life. Oh, and Mario can transform into Elephant Mario, who can attack enemies with his trunk. Keith Stuart
Nintendo Switch, out 20 October
Film
Killers of the Flower Moon
It’s rare to encounter a name in film bigger than that of Robert De Niro or Leonardo DiCaprio, but Killers of the Flower Moon (in addition to starring these two) has one: it’s directed by Martin Scorsese. Hailed as a masterpiece at this year’s Cannes, it’s a 1920s-set, gangster-flavoured, three-hour epic about the crimes that men will commit, even against their own wives, in the name of cold hard cash. Catherine Bray
In cinemas, 20 October
***
Take in an autumn festival
Classical
Lammermuir festival
The emphasis of the Lammermuir festival is very much on high-quality song and chamber-music recitals. This year, harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani is artist-in-residence; the newly formed ensemble Spunicunifait play all six of Mozart’s string quintets, and the Gesualdo Six and Fretwork mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of William Byrd. Andrew Clements
Various venues, East Lothian, 7 to 18 September
Rock and pop
Mint festival
Just because it’s autumn doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy rib-rattlingly loud music and warm beer in an outdoor environment. Yorkshire’s premier boutique dance festival, offering six stages in the lush Newsam Green Farm, features house music producer and DJ Jayda G, dubstep pioneer Skream and the genre-spanning experimentalist Willow among others. MC
Newsam Green Farm, Leeds, 16 & 17 September
Jazz and global music
Scarborough jazz festival
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Scarborough jazz festival presents a stellar lineup of British improvising talent at its seafront concert hall. Highlights include rising saxophonist Emma Rawicz presenting her hard-swinging latest album Chroma, vocalist Clare Teal’s Seven band, and heavyweight saxophonist Alan Barnes leading a sextet with trombonist Mark Nightingale. AK
Various venues, Scarborough, 22 to 24 September
Film
The 67th BFI London film festival
Every year, cinemas all over London switch from regular programming to make room for one of the world’s great city-based film jamborees. The gala opening night screening will be Emerald Fennell’s eagerly anticipated Saltburn. But unlike festivals such as Cannes, the focus is firmly on audiences: you don’t have to be J-Lo to bag a ticket to a world premiere, but you might still spot a movie star. CB
Various venues, London, 4 to 15 October
Art
Frieze London and Frieze Masters
The art fairs that let you fantasise that you’re a billionaire collector, or more clinically see how the market shapes artistic fashion, bring students and celebs to two big tents in a London park. Frieze London is an unpredictable dive into what’s hot while Frieze Masters celebrates the shock of the old. JJ
Regent’s Park, London, 11 to 15 October
Film
Belfast film festival
Founded in 1995 as part of the arts festival Féile An Phobail, Belfast film festival has since carved out its own identity, with recent innovations including the addition of an international competition that sees an impeccably curated selection of work from very early-career film-makers compete for thousands in prize money. CB
Various venues, Belfast, 2 to 11 November
Rock and pop
The Great Western
Now in its fourth year, this Scottish all-day music and arts festival aims to showcase the live scene’s most intriguing propositions including post-punkers Warmduscher, lo-fi hip-hop experimentalist Wu-Lu and pub rock behemoths Chubby and the Gang. Keep an eye out for Lynks and his “drag, crazy pop-dance thing”. MC
Various venues, Glasgow, 4 November
Pitchfork London
The perpetually divisive music website’s UK festival spin-off returns with another 9.1-rated lineup. Acts to be scattered around London venues range from Korean-American dance music denizen Yaeji, influential rock band Sleater-Kinney and girl band member turned experimental banger merchant Dawn Richard. An eclectic music portal in a bleak month. MC
Various venues, London, 7 to 13 November
***
Find some fun for all the family
Theatre
Pygmalion
A stunning cast features in Richard Jones’s revival of George Bernard Shaw’s biting play about a flowergirl who finds herself the subject of a rash bet. Patsy Ferran stars as Eliza Doolittle and Bertie Carvel is the ruthless linguist determined to pass her off as a lady. MG
Old Vic, London, 6 September to 28 October
Games
Party Animals
Want to see what happens when a puppy takes on an otter in unarmed combat? Party Animals is multiplayer physics-based brawler where everyone picks a ridiculously cute animal then battles it out. There are several modes to add variety, and the colourful visuals and exaggerated animation ensure it’s as stupidly fun to watch as it is to play. KS
Xbox, Nintendo Switch, out 20 September
Theatre
Hamnet
Lolita Chakrabarti’s sensitive adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s haunting novel transfers to the West End. Hamnet is such a precious thing: one of the few loosely biographical works that turns Shakespeare into more man than myth. It should make for an intimate piece of theatre, which sheds light on the woman and family who ripple through Shakespeare’s work. MG
Garrick theatre, London, 30 September to 6 January
Games
Detective Pikachu Returns
It has been seven years since the original sleuthing adventure – a smash hit on the old Nintendo 3DS. Now (almost) everyone’s favourite Pokémon is back to investigate a series of strange incidents in bustling Ryme City, aided by his human pal Tim Goodman. It looks to be another charming mystery filled with puzzles, excitable critters and shady foes. KS
Nintendo Switch, out 6 October
Art
Japan: Myths to Manga
Young fans of modern Japan’s comics and animation can see the long creative history behind them in this blockbuster that should be fun for all ages. It covers everything from 18th-century woodblock prints to 21st-century fashion, with highlights including Hokusai’s The Great Wave Off Kanagawa and Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro. JJ
Young V&A, London, 14 October to 11 August
TV
Doctor Who
After months of breathless headlines, this autumn marks the debut of the 15th Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa. Before he takes over the Tardis in earnest, he’s popping up in this three-part miniseries, in celebration of the show’s 60th anniversary, which centres on the return of 00s-era stars David Tennant and Catherine Tate. RA
BBC One, November
Film
Wish
Harking back to the golden era of Disney, Wish looks set to be the big family film to end 2023. The film is co-written by Frozen writer-director Jennifer Lee and in it Asha (Ariana DeBose) makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a ball of energy called Star, with whom Asha must defeat King Magnifico (Chris Pine). CB
In cinemas, 24 November
***
Get out of your comfort zone
Theatre
Metamorphosis
Frantic Assembly is a company known for creating high-energy shows shot through with movement. In an intriguing theatrical collaboration, it is joining forces with poet and playwright Lemn Sissay to retell Franz Kafka’s piercing short story about a salesman who wakes up one morning and discovers he’s an insect. MG
Theatre Royal Plymouth, 11 to 16 September; touring to 2 March
The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man
Australian playwright Tom Wright’s reworking of the story of the Elephant Man follows Joseph Merrick through the workhouse, the freakshow and hospital, while interrogating ideas around capitalism, disability and difference. Stephen Bailey (winner of Royal Theatre Support Trust Sir Peter Hall director award 2022) directs a cast of disabled, deaf and/or neurodivergent actors. MG
Nottingham Playhouse, 16 September to 7 October; touring to 21 October
Art
Marina Abramović
This pioneer of performance art has constantly wrongfooted audiences with acts of disconcerting intimacy. Early events in which she braved fire or invited audiences to injure her have been succeeded by getting people to stare into her face or carry out mysterious rituals. Her retrospective is certain to challenge. JJ
Royal Academy of Arts, London, 23 September to 1 January
Turner prize 2023
It may no longer cause the controversies it stirred three decades ago, but Britain’s modern art prize is still pushing boundaries and revealing provocative redefinitions of the contemporary. Ghislaine Leung, Jesse Darling, Rory Pilgrim and Barbara Walker are this year’s nominees. Bodily fragility and the poetry of space feature. JJ
Towner Eastbourne, 28 September to 14 April
Real Families
Art and social science come together in this exhibition that looks at the complexity and variety of today’s actual families and relationships as revealed by some very brave and honest artists. Tracey Emin’s visceral revelations and Lucian Freud’s unembarrassed family portraits are among the highlights while Chantal Joffe explores parenthood. JJ
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 6 October to 7 January
Theatre
The Flea
James Fritz is such an exciting playwright. His latest work is a retelling of the Cleveland Street scandal, in which a clutch of 1880s aristocrats were protected from incrimination after a raid on a homosexual male brothel. It marks a return to directing for Jay Miller, whose productions often feel both delicate yet daring. MG
Yard theatre, London, 11 October to 18 November
Dance
Transform festival
Transform hosts an impressive range of out-there and uncategorisable performance work from around the globe. This year’s programme includes work by the Italian choreographer Chiara Bersani, who makes quiet, evocative performances with movement, sound and vivid imagination, and Cherish Menzo’s Darkmatter, playing with time by borrowing from hip-hop’s “chopped and screwed” remix technique. LW
Various venues, Leeds, 11 to 22 October
Classical
Personhood
Jennifer Walshe’s residency at this year’s Huddersfield contemporary music festival begins with the UK premiere of her exploration of what it is to be an individual in today’s digital world. Accordionist Andreas Borregaard becomes the experimental subject, interrogated by his fellow musicians, made to watch films with subliminal messages, with his every movement monitored, and forcing the audience to question their own identities. AC
Lawrence Batley theatre, Huddersfield, 17 November
Film
The Eternal Daughter
Tilda Swinton isn’t an actor who has ever shied away from leftfield choices, and this latest is extraordinary: Swinton stars as both halves of a mother-daughter relationship, as the pair take a holiday in a slightly spooky hotel. A deeply personal and rather lovely offbeat drama from Joanna Hogg. CB
In cinemas, 27 October
***
Escape the autumn gloom
TV
The Lovers
When it comes to mood-massaging escapism, nothing beats a romcom. Get swept up in this darkly comic Belfast-set series, starring Roisin Gallagher and Johnny Flynn as a mismatched couple – she’s a simmering motormouth shop worker, he’s a suave political pundit – who begin an all-consuming and very ill-advised affair. RA
Sky Atlantic & Now, Thursday
Film
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
There’s nothing sunnier or more retro than the MBFGW romcoms. Trading on little more than goodwill and broad but affectionate cultural truisms (viz: older Greek people don’t understand what vegetarianism is), the first film was an unexpected box-office juggernaut, with the second two sticking firmly to the maxim “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Yamas! CB
In cinemas, Friday
Comedy
Aunty Donna
The Aussie surrealists are in the business of making joyfully odd and occasionally profane comedy designed to tickle even the least responsive of funnybones. Fresh from a Netflix sketch series and a sitcom (they are sizeable stars in Australia), the trio bring their Magical Dead Cat Tour to the UK: a weirdly good time guaranteed. RA
On tour, 11 to 30 September
TV
Sex Education
Cheeky, cheery and fully enlightened, this Technicolor Netflix series can claim to be one of the definitive gen Z teen comedies. Now it’s wrapping matters up with a fourth and final season as our hero – nerd turned sex therapist Otis – runs into a rival at his new sixth-form college. RA
Netflix, 21 September
Rock and pop
Kylie Minogue – Tension
As this summer’s Padam Padam-ic finally loosens its grip, the enduring pop singer offers up more hypnotic electropop on her 16th album. Eschewing the genre framework of 2018’s country-flecked Golden and 2020’s self-explanatory Disco, Tension stays firmly rooted on sticky dancefloors, the synth-slathered title track and galloping Things We Do for Love offering up pure escapism. MC
Out 22 September
Comedy
Lucy Beaumont
She’s more than just Jon Richardson’s wife, you know – even if the pair have made some very funny telly together playing perma-peeved spouses. Beaumont is a successful comedian in her own right, known for a distinctive delivery that combines intense daffiness with withering northern wit. After a near-decade hiatus, she’s back in the standup saddle with new show The Trouble and Strife. RA
On tour, 4 October to 10 December
Film
BlackBerry
Glenn Howerton from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is almost unrecognisable in this sharp and witty comedy about the rise and fall of the humble BlackBerry, which was briefly king of mobile tech devices before being dethroned. Trust us, it’s a more entertaining comic premise than it sounds. CB
In cinemas, 6 October
Art
Lumiere
This festival of light art promises to illuminate the darkening nights with hi-tech spectacle. It’s got a fantastic setting in the cathedral city of Durham and its dramatically hilly perspectives. Ai Weiwei is among the artists illuminating the sky, so you can expect brains, as well as beauty. JJ
Various venues, Durham, 16 to 19 November
***
Hibernate on the sofa
Rock and pop
Out 29 September
Olivia Rodrigo – Guts
Erstwhile Disney star Rodrigo makes the perfect soundtrack to an emotional wallow. Her record-breaking 2021 debut, Sour, bottled up teen angst and uncorked it via sugar-rush pop-punk and brittle ballads, and things look likely to continue on this follow-up. The single Vampire – about a manipulative ex – blossoms from a piano reverie into a cathartic, smash-up-your-bedroom explosion. MC
Out Friday
Games
Mineko’s Night Market
This gorgeous adventure from the Canadian developer Meowza will surely be one of the snuggliest of the season. You play as a young girl who moves to a beautiful but blighted Japanese island, discovering its secrets while making friends and crafting goods to sell at the titular night market. Perfect for Animal Crossing lovers. KS
PC, PS5, Switch, out 26 September
Rock and pop
Jorja Smith – Falling Or Flying
There’s something warm and comforting about Brit winner Jorja Smith’s voice, like a cashmere scarf on goosebumped skin. On this belated follow-up to 2018’s Lost & Found, she wraps it round the rollicking indie pop of Go Go Go and weaves it flirtatiously between the scuttling rhythms of Little Things. MC
Out 29 September
Animal Collective – Isn’t it Now?
On their 12th and longest album, the Maryland mavericks offer up a typically smudged sonic palette of psyched-out pop, undulating freak-folk and oddball indie. The single Soul Capturer meanders along nicely, all looped time signatures and ambient drones, but it’s the 22-minute, shape-shifting epic Defeat that feels ripe for zoning out to indoors. MC
TV
Three Little Birds
Executive-produced by the always exceptional Russell T Davies, Lenny Henry has translated his mother’s tales of Windrush-generation life into this historical drama, which follows a trio of women who make the journey of a lifetime from Jamaica to the UK – only to find the racist, sexist society awaiting them is a far cry from the life they’d been promised. RA
ITVX, October
Lessons in Chemistry
The TV world wasted no time in adapting Bonnie Garmus’s multimillion-selling 2022 novel for the small screen – and you can see why. Set in 1960s California, the action follows TV cook Elizabeth Zott (Oscar winner Brie Larson), as she stealthily sneaks science into her housewife-friendly programme. Prepare for an irresistibly feelgood, feminist period fantasy. RA
Apple TV+, 13 October
Games
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
The sequel to Sony’s brilliant open-world Spider-Man game is set to offer another dazzling foray across the crime-ridden rooftops of New York City. Both Peter Parker and Miles Morales take part this time as the supervillains Venom and Kraven the Hunter threaten their city and loved ones. Expect new superpowers and an exhaustively detailed environment. KS
PS5, out 20 October
TV
Mr & Mrs Smith
Originally a collaboration between Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Donald Glover – before the former left citing creative differences – this reboot of Brangelina’s 2005 comedy-thriller about a couple unaware they are both assassins now pits the Atlanta star against Maya Erskine, who honed her brilliantly broad comic chops on the cult sitcom Pen15. RA
Prime Video, November
A Murder at the End of the World
Fans were left hanging when TV tricksters Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij’s bizarre Netflix mystery The OA was suddenly cancelled in 2019. Yet some solace is incoming: the pair’s new project looks to be similarly mind-bending. It stars The Crown’s Emma Corrin as Darby Hart, an amateur detective trying to solve a murder at a billionaire’s idyllic retreat. RA
Disney+, November
Games
Thirsty Suitors
A young woman returns to her childhood home for her sister’s wedding and finds herself confronting complicated exes and meddling relatives. Already garnering plenty of press and festival attention, this is a flamboyant, funny adventure that somehow brings skateboarding, turn-based battles and South Asian cooking into a thoroughly enticing mix. KS
PC, PS4/5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, out 2 November
• This article was amended on 7 September 2023. Three Little Birds is written by Lenny Henry, and Russell T Davies is an executive producer on the series.
