Opening this week
Theatre
Bingo
Patrick Stewart stars as the ageing Shakespeare in Edward Bond's play in which the playwright, now a rich landowner, is facing pressure from local Stratford people. Young Vic, London SE1 (020-7922 2922), until March 31.
An Appointment with the Wicker Man
National Theatre Scotland take on the cult 1970s movie with a play within a play about an amateur dramatic society on a remote Scottish island who are putting the play on stage. But when one of their actors falls ill, a replacement is called in from the mainland. His Majesties, Aberdeen (01224 641122), Tuesday to Saturday, then touring until 24 March.
Film
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (dir. Stephen Daldry)
Oscar-nominated drama, based on the Jonathan Safran Foer novel.
Dance
Aakash Odedra: Rising
Fine South Asian soloist in an impressive trilogy of works by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphant and Akram Khan. The Place: Robin Howard Dance theatre, London WC1 (020-7121 1100), Friday.
Birmingham Royal Ballet: Hobson's Choice
David Bintley does period England in this poignant comedy based on the Harold Brighouse play. Birmingham Hippodrome (0844-338 5000), Wednesday to Friday.
Classical
Bachfest
A first outing for the latest addition to Bath's portfolio of music festivals, a sibling to the autumn Mozartfest, featuring the Academy of Ancient Music, Florilegium and the Retrospect Ensemble. Various venues, Bath (01225 463 362), Friday and Saturday.
The Death of Klinghoffer
John Adams's controversial second opera finally reaches the London stage; Baldur Brönnimann conducts the dark-hued score, and Tom Morris directs ENO's production. Coliseum, London, WC2 (0871 911 0200), Saturday, then in rep until 9 March.
Jazz
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra
Saxophonist Tommy Smith's powerful big band celebrates Weather Report, with drum star Peter Erskine. Queen's Hall, Edinburgh (0131-668 2019), 24 February; Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow (0141-3324101), Friday; MacRobert Arts Centre, University of Stirling (01786 466666), Saturday.
Art
Alighiero Boetti: Game Plan
The high point of the late Italian arte povera artist's major retrospective are the wonderful world maps he commissioned; embroidered by craftswomen in Afghanistan, they present a magic carpet atlas of the unstable geopolitical map of the modern world. Tate Modern, London SE1 (020-7887 8888), Tuesday to 27 May.
Pop
Simple Minds
Credible once more, Simple Minds tour songs from their first five, flatly incredible, albums. Tour begins at Birmingham Academy (0844 477 2000), Friday.
Jonathan Richman
Nothing much changes in the world of Jonathan Richman, which means he remains as entertaining a live performer as its possible to get. Tour begins at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (0113-275 241), Saturday.
Last chance to see
Classical
Der Rosenkavalier
With Amanda Roocroft, Sarah Connolly, Sophie Bevan and John Tomlinson heading the cast, this revival of David McVicar's meticulously detailed production is as good as it has ever been. Coliseum, London WC2 (0871 911 0200), Friday and 27th February.
Theatre
The Gatekeeper
Enjoyable tragicomedy from Chloe Moss about a family celebration that goes wrong. Not perfect, but touching and funny. Royal Exchange Studio, Manchester (0161-833 9833), until Saturday.
Film
L'Atalante (dir. Jean Vigo)
This haunting masterpiece by Jean Vigo, a parable for the mysterious intimacy of marriage.
Jazz
Cuong Vu/Bob van Luijt/Yonga Sun
Unique Vietnamese American jazz-and-effects trumpeter and former Pat Metheny partner, with heavyweight power trio. Vortex Jazz Club, Dalston (020-7254 4097), Monday.
Art
Lygia Pape: Magnetized Space
Modernism took an unexpected and vital turn in Brazil and Pape, who died in 2004, has long deserved a major exhibition here. Her rigorous abstractions eventually led to the spectacular later works, which filled darkened spaces with shafts of drawn light. Serpentine Gallery, London W2 (020-7402 6075), until 29 February.
Pop
Spector
The new Kaiser Chiefs? Or as they claim "a pop band"? You decide. Tour ends at Brighton Green Door Store (01273 606312), Saturday.
Seth Lakeman
Rugged, fiddle-playing folk singer-songwriter. Tour ends at Leamington Assembly (01926 311311), Friday.
Book Now
Theatre
Uncle Vanya
Booking opens this week for this 50th anniversary season. First off the block, Roger Allam and Dervla Kirwin star in Michael Frayn's version of Chekhov's classic play of thwarted love and broken dreams. Jeremy Herrin directs the first offering in what is going to be a starry Chichester summer. Minerva, Chichester (01243 781312), 30 March until 28 April.
Gatz
London International Festival of Theatre brings in New York mavericks Elevator Repair Service with their epic eight-hour staging of F Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, in which every single word of the novel is read aloud. It's been a hot ticket in New York, and should be here. Noel Coward theatre, London WC2 (020-7452 3000), 8 June to 15 July.
A Provincial Life
Peter Gill directs his own stage version of Chekhov's exquisite short story for National Theatre Wales. The tale of a young privileged man seeking to find meaning in his life, it may be set in 19th-century Russia but should have resonances for today. Sherman Cardiff (029-2064 6900), 1-17 March.
Betrayal
John Simm stars in Harold Pinter's cunningly structured love triangle, inspired by his own affair with Joan Bakewell. It's very much a play in fashion because Dominic Hill revives at Glasgow Citizens next month, too. Sheffield Crucible (0114-249 6000), 17 May to June 9.
The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Surviving members of the radio cast take to the road with Douglas Adams's brilliant and endearing philosophical mishmash of everything and anything. Theatre Royal, Glasgow (0844 871 7647), 8–9 June, then touring.
Film
Rampart (dir. Oren Moverman)
Woody Harrelson is a dangerous cop in Los Angeles.
Classical
Minimal Extreme
The latest instalment of Glasgow's three-year survey of minimalism, with performers including Bang on a Can Allstars, London Sinfonietta, Theatre of Voices and the Smith Quartet. Royal Concert Hall and City Halls, Glasgow (0141-353 8000), 23-25 March.
Jazz
Portico Quartet
Portico's systems music, hangdrum sound and rich electronic textures grow increasingly varied and subtle. Komedia, Brighton (0845 293 8480), 1 March; Sage, Gateshead (0191-443 4661), 5 March, then touring.
Art
AV Festival 12: As Slow As Possible
With concerts, walks, exhibitions and screenings throughout the north east, in Middlesborough, Newcastle/Gateshead and Sunderland, the International Festival of Art, Technology, Music and Film features a bewildering roster of film-makers, artists and musicians. Take your time. Various venues, 1-31 March.
Pop
Drake
Poor old Drake, mopey as ever despite his multi-platinum success, brings his brand of emo R&B to Britain. Tour begins London O2 Arena (0844 856 0202), 26 March.
