AGENDA

The Agenda THE HOTTEST NEW YEAR EVENTS

© MINQIANG LU, WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

PHOTOGRAPHY

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

UNTIL 2 FEBRUARY, NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM

The public are invited to have their say and vote for their favourite image to win this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award run by the Natural History Museum. Photographs were chosen from 38,575 entries across 93 countries and include a portrait of a characterful pregnant pygmy seahorse by Nicholas More, and Michał Michlewicz’s story revealing the impact of domesticated cats on local wildlife. Voting ends on 2 February 2023.

MUSIC ARRIVAL

19 January THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR About 50 years since ABBA’s formation in Stockholm, the group is back bigger than ever and what better way to celebrate the legacy of Scandinavian pop royalty than with ARRIVAL, showcasing the hits of ABBA. ARRIVAL From Sweden is the most successful ABBA show touring the world today. To date they have performed tours in over 70 countries. theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

FILM The Banshees of Inisherin

11 January THE OLD COURT CINEMA, WINDSOR Here’s an opportunity to see one of the most talked about fi lms in one of Windsor’s iconic cinemas. Two lifelong friends fi nd themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. Starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, the fi lm has just received eight nominations at the Golden Globes. oldcourt.org

THEATRE TEECHERS LEAVERS ‘22

7-9 FEBRUARY CORN EXCHANGE NEWBURY

Teechers Leavers ’22 is John Godber’s break-neck comedy about education for the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ and a generation left behind. Hilarious and high energy, this new play for ages 11+ brings to life an array of terrifying teachers and hopeless pupils through the eyes of three Year 11 students facing a scary world, armed only with imagination and a joy of theatre. Presented by Blackeyed Theatre in association with South Hill Park. cornexchangenew.com

COMEDY Harry Hill

20 January AYLESBURY WATERSIDE THEATRE Harry Hill is back with brand-new amazing jokes in an all-singing, all-dancing one-man spectacular. “I hadn’t realised how much I missed performing live until lockdown stopped me from doing it,” says Harry. “It’s great to be going back on stage and the good news is I am planning a very silly show.” Audiences will meet Harry’s new baby elephant, Sarah, and Ian, The Information Worm. atgtickets.com/venues/ aylesbury-waterside-theatre

This Month’s Must See

DISCOVER BUCKS MUSEUM

UNTIL 15 APRIL 2023

Discover how your amazing brain works in this exciting new hands-on exhibition. This exhibition will show you just how amazing our brains really are. From emotions to our senses, you will find out how your brain interprets what it sees, hears, smells, and feels.

This family-friendly exhibition will take you on a journey inside your brain, to find out just what makes you... you. discoverbucksmuseum.org

Art

TO WATCH

New year cultural highlights that you should book tickets for now

PATTIE BOYD

Following a major redevelopment, the iconic Leighton House reopened its doors last autumn with an exciting programme of exhibition and events. One of next month’s highlights, available to book now, is an evening in conversation with sixties fashion model and muse, Pattie Boyd. Famously the inspiration for George Harrison’s 'Something' and Eric Clapton's ‘Layla’ and ‘Wonderful Tonight’, her portrait was captured by some of the greatest photographers of the 20th century including David Bailey, Terence Donovan, David Hurn and Norman Parkinson. She is also a celebrated photographer in her own right and in her latest book, Pattie Boyd: My Life in Pictures (Reel Art Press) she grants intimate access to her personal archive. Leighton House, London, W14. £15. 24 February 2023, rbkc.gov.uk/museums

OMNI is fast becoming a gallery to watch. They kick o their ambitious 2023 programme with two exciting solo exhibitions by young emerging American artists. Hampton Boyer is a trailblazing Virginia-based artist known for his figurative paintings, made up of layers of bright, clear colours, geometric forms and complex texture. Also opening in late January, Natalie Westbrook, a Pittsburgh based artist whose dynamic and deeply arresting works deploy bright colours and chaotic compositions to create an entirely unique and unrivalled painterly lexicon. OMNI, London W1, omnigallery.com