Three Cultural Highlights To Book now
Spring’s cultural calendar is filling up with sharp theatre revivals and a major new museum opening in east London. From rock-fuelled drama to one of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year, these are three events worth booking now.
Teeth ’n’ Smiles
Duke of York’s Theatre | 13 March – 6 June 2026
To mark the 50th anniversary of David Hare’s rebellious cult play, Teeth ’n’ Smiles returns to the stage with singer and songwriter Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as Self Esteem, taking on the role of Maggie Frisby.
Set in the aftermath of the idealistic 1960s, the play follows a once-promising rock band now facing the collapse of their youthful dreams. At the centre is Maggie, a fierce frontwoman clinging to music, anger and survival as the world around her begins to unravel.
Part rock concert and part political theatre, the production captures the raw energy of a generation coming to terms with what happens when rebellion grows older. Expect original music, sharp humour and a performance that feels closer to a live gig than traditional theatre.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
National Theatre | 21 March – 6 June 2026
Christopher Hampton’s celebrated adaptation of the scandalous French novel returns in a new staging at the National Theatre.
Set in the decadent world of pre-Revolutionary France, the story centres on the manipulative Marquise de Merteuil, played by Lesley Manville, and her former lover and accomplice, the Vicomte de Valmont, played by Aidan Turner (Rivals). Together they orchestrate elaborate games of seduction and betrayal, treating reputation and romance as pieces on a chessboard.
When their alliance begins to fracture, rivalry replaces loyalty and the consequences become devastating. Elegant, sharp and darkly funny, the play remains one of theatre’s most compelling studies of power, desire and control.
The Music Is Black: A British Story
V&A East Museum | From 18 April 2026
The new V&A East Museum opens this spring with a landmark inaugural exhibition celebrating the influence of Black British music.
The Music Is Black: A British Story traces the sounds and scenes that reshaped Britain’s cultural identity, from jazz and reggae to jungle, garage and grime. Through archival footage, photography, fashion and sound installations, the exhibition explores the artists, communities and movements that shaped the soundtrack of modern Britain.
Designed as an immersive experience, the exhibition moves beyond traditional display. Visitors step into the music, the culture and the stories behind the scenes that helped define generations.