We take a look at the best of entertainment to be found in the capital this May

THEATRE

Twelfth Night (or What You Will), 3 May-8 June
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre begins its summer season with Shakespeare’s enchanting tale of love, laughter, and mistaken identities – and we can’t think of a better opener. Directed by Owen Horsley, renowned for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, this production will transport audiences to a moonlit café by the sea, where Olivia’s lament for her lost brother sets the stage for a story of whimsy and intrigue. With a stellar creative team including Basia Binkowska, Ryan Dawson Laight, and Sam Kenyon, expect a visual and auditory feast that marries nostalgia with riotous celebration. We’re promised an unforgettable evening under the stars.
Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1(0333 400 3562; openairtheatre.com)

© Feast Creative

COLLECTORS FAIR

Affordable Art Fair, 8-12 May
Set against the verdant backdrop of Hampstead Heath, AAF’s spring edition heralds a dazzling array of affordable artworks to covet. With every piece priced at under £7,500, the collector’s fair serves as a magnetic hub, drawing over 100 premier galleries from across the globe. Here, you can explore thousands of works, from established luminaries to emerging talents alike, and immerse yourself in the fair’s bespoke installations, captivating commissions, and of course its vibrant buzz, appealing to art enthusiasts of all stripes. And while the Affordable Art Fair is never not special, this one marks its 25th anniversary. With its ethos of accessibility, the fair has revolutionised the Capital’s art scene – and that’s something to celebrate.
Lower Fairground Site, Hampstead Heath, NW3 (020 8246 4848; affordableartfair.com) 

Artist Matt Dosa painting his installation, Assemble © Graham Turner

EXHIBTION

Bella Hoare:A Different Green, 22 May to 2 June
This May, artist and gardener Bella Hoare unveils her debut solo exhibition at the South Bank’s prestigious Oxo Tower. With over 20 captivating works on show, Hoare delves deep into the feminine form, intertwined with nature’s bounty. Her work celebrates the essence of feminine strength and allure, radiating optimism and empowerment. With overarching themes of nature and renewal, Hoare’s Green Goddess series reimagines medieval folklore, offering a contemporary feminist perspective, while her Glasshouse paintings pay homage to the resilience of women from marginalised backgrounds, magnifying their potential for growth and rejuvenation.
Barge House Street, SE1 (bellahoare.com)

Bella Hoare:A Different Green. Left: Glasshouse, Right: Floor Length Ivy

BOOK

Piece Of My Heart by Penelope Tree, Published 23 May
Where Hideous Kinky meets Daisy Jones & the Six, Tree’s autobiographical debut novel is a poignant tale that peels back the glamorous façade of the fashion industry to reveal the harsh realities lurking underneath. Through the eyes of Ari, a young ingénue swept into the whirlwind of 1960s London, Tree – herself an iconic face of the Swinging Sixties – explores the intoxicating highs and devastating lows of fame, love, and self-destruction. Drawing from her own experiences alongside luminaries such as David Bailey and the Rolling Stones, Tree’s narrative is a candid reflection on the sacrifices demanded by stardom and the elusive quest for love and acceptance. Piece Of My Heart is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the glitz and glamour of the swinging sixties, offering an intimate glimpse into a bygone era of fame and excess.
£18.99, hardback (moonflowerbooks.co.uk)

EXHIBTION

Warhol Kennedy Residence, Appointments are available throughout May
For lovers of contemporary art history, this is a rare gem: an exclusive exhibition dedicated to the forgotten photographic archive of William John Kennedy. Visitors can immerse themselves in the captivating world of 1960s New York through Kennedy’s lens, as he documents the bohemian life and luminaries of the era. Nestled in the heart of central London, the residence unveils a trove of unseen treasures, spotlighting the iconic Andy Warhol and Robert Indiana in their formative years. Captured by Kennedy in the early 60s, these images, once lost to the world, now resurface to offer a glimpse into the genesis of two artistic titans. Not to be missed.
The Warhol Kennedy Residence, WC2. Contact info@warholkennedyresidence to book (warholkennedyresidence.com)