Critical list

A BIGGER SPLASH
A simmering, shimmering thriller set on the hot, dusty Italian island of Pantelleria. Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes go wild. CL
15, 124 mins

Camilla Long and Edward Porter

THEATRE PICK
THE SOLID LIFE OF SUGAR WATER
Jack Thorne’s humane, intimate two-hander is a frank examination of a couple rocked by grief. See review, in this section. PN
Temporary theatre, National, London SE1, until Mar 19, then touring

Theatre

WELCOME HOME, CAPTAIN FOX!
A witty new version of Anouilh’s comedy about a prisoner of war’s return home after 15 years. See review, in this section. DJ
Donmar Warehouse, London WC2, until Apr 16

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Erica Whyman’s joyous revival deftly combines RSC actors with local amateurs. See review, in this section. JE
RST, Stratford-upon-Avon, in rep until July 16, then touring

THE MAIDS
Genet’s sadomasochistic psychodrama is relocated among the stateside superrich. See review, in this section. MS
Trafalgar Studios, London SW1, until May 21

Jane Edwardes, David Jays, Patricia Nicol and Maxie Szalwinska

ART PICK
IN THE AGE OF GIORGIONE
The Venetian Renaissance comes under scrutiny, with Giorgione, Titian’s mysterious, short-lived contemporary (he died in 1510, aged 32) at its heart. Dürer and Giovanni Bellini also feature.
Royal Academy, London W1, from Sat until June 5

Art

CELTS
Who were the Celts? A feast of finely wrought weapons and jewellery provides answers. This show, first seen at the British Museum, now heads north.
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, from Thu until Sept 25

FRANK AUERBACH
Last week to catch this sober celebration of the British octogenarian, one of our greatest living painters. The hang, supervised by him, covers each decade of his working life.
Tate Britain, London SW1, until next Sun

HILMA AF KLINT
As usual, the Serpentine hosts twin shows in its neighbouring spaces. The contemporary German duo Das Institut take over the Sackler space, but it’s the paintings of the Swedish mystic, af Klint, next door, that are the real draw. See review, in this section.
Serpentine Galleries, London W2, until May 15

THE BIG HITTERS
PAINTING THE MODERN GARDEN Royal Academy, London W1, until Apr 20: a look at how Monet and others were inspired by their back yards.
DELACROIX AND THE RISE OF MODERN ART National Gallery, London WC2, until May 22: the French master appraised, plus famous disciples.

Louis Wise

COMEDY PICK
OMID DJALILI
Iranalamadingdong is Djalili at his strongest: it’s part light entertainment spectacular, part Middle Eastern stereotype- destroyer, with added absurd physical comedy and ludicrous belly dancing. His triumph is that what seemed political 10 years ago is just him mucking about today.
Court Theatre, Tring, Fri

Comedy

JOSEPH MORPURGO
Morpurgo, it’s safe to say, has range, as amply demonstrated this week with a show with Austentatious, his Jane Austen improv troupe, today; a stand-up bill with Adam Riches on Tuesday; and the support slot for Gein’s Family Giftshop on Saturday.
Guildhall, Bath, today; Old Queen’s Head, London N1, Tue; Invisible Dot, London N1, Sat

CARDINAL BURNS PRESENTS
Channel 4’s award-winning sketch duo host a bill of frantic talent: Adam Hess headlines alongside the Burns boys, with Jamie Demetriou, Natasia Demetriou and Ellie White in support.
Moth Club, Old Trades Hall, London E9

BRIDGET CHRISTIE
Christie’s shift from surreal character comedy to artful blend of sharp political points and simple clowning is, fortunately, proving permanent. Irresistible.
Lowry, Salford, Wed

Stephen Armstrong

DANCE PICK
GOLDEN HOURS (AS YOU LIKE IT)
The Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker gives the UK premiere of a production exploring themes and imagery from As You Like It, with dancers of her Rosas company, and featuring music by Brian Eno.
Sadler’s Wells, London EC1, Tue, Wed

Dance

CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON
Ending its run, the Royal Ballet’s all-Wheeldon programme includes two fine abstract pieces, After the Rain and Within the Golden Hour, plus his recent narrative work, Strapless.
ROH, London WC2, Thu, Fri

SWAN LAKE
David Nixon’s modern take on the classic is revived by Northern Ballet for its latest tour.
Grand Theatre, Leeds, until Sat; touring until April 30

David Dougill

POP PICK
GRIMES
Claire Boucher expanded her sound and her fanbase with last year’s Art Angels. She tours the album’s candy-coated pop-rock, plus more from her fine back catalogue.
O2 Academy & Underground, Leeds, Mon; Rock City, Nottingham, Tue; O2 Academy Brixton, London SW9, Thu; O2 Institute, Birmingham, Fri; Manchester Academy, Sat

Pop

WOLF ALICE
The London alt-rockers got huge acclaim for last year’s debut, My Love Is Cool. As the goodwill towards them grows and grows, see them on tour before they upgrade to larger venues.
Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Mon; Arts Club, Liverpool, Wed; Manchester Academy, Thu; UEA, Norwich, Fri; touring until Mar 29

CHAIRLIFT
Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly continue to make cerebral synth-pop that charms and befuddles in equal measure. Live, Polachek’s charisma tends to iron out any qualms.
Scala, London N1, Wed

LIANNE LA HAVAS
A quick warm-up stint by the sea for the soul singer, before a bigger gig next Monday (March 14) at the Royal Albert Hall, in London.
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sat

Louis Wise

CLASSICAL PICK
ENGLISH TOURING OPERA
James Conway directs another Donizetti rarity, Pia de’ Tolomei, a tale of marital jealousy and murder drawn from Dante’s Divine Comedy, with Elena Xanthoudakis, Luciano Botelho and Grant Doyle leading the cast; while Lloyd Wood is in charge of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, with George von Bergen in the title role. HC
Hackney Empire, London E9, Pia: Thu; Don Giovanni: Fri, Sat

Classical

ARIODANTE
Students of the Royal College of Music International Opera School are put through their paces by Laurence Cummings, conductor, and James Bonas, director, in the London Handel Festival’s staging of the composer’s 1735 masterpiece. HC
Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, London SW7, Tue, Wed, Sat

THE TURN OF THE SCREW
Oliver Mears’s creepy staging of Britten’s ghostly chamber opera returns for NI Opera, with a cast headed by Katie Bird as the superstitious Governess. HC
Lyric, Belfast, Fri, Sat

MICHAEL FINNISSY WEEKEND
The composer’s 70th birthday is marked by a weekend of events, opening with a programme in which the Exaudi chamber choir and Guildhall New Music Ensemble give the world premieres of Finnissy’s Orfeo and Tom Fool’s Wooing. PD
Milton Court Concert Hall, London EC2, Sat, Sun

BBC PHILHARMONIC
John Storgards conducts Peter Maxwell Davies’s A Reel for Seven Fishermen, Copland’s Clarinet Concerto (soloist Julian Bliss) and Korngold’s Sinfonietta. PD
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Sat

Hugh Canning and Paul Driver

Book it now

The Grand Tour, various venues, Mar 19-June 26
The cultural richness of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire is celebrated at Derby Museums, Nottingham Contemporary, Chatsworth and the Harley Gallery at Welbeck, home of the prestigious Portland Collection. See thegrandtour.uk.com for exhibition details.

The Experience of Colour, Estorick Collection, London N1, Apr 13-June 26
This show focuses on a movement in Italian art in the 1970s, which protested against a perceived superficiality in modern culture. Luckily, they chose to do this via a thrilling exploration of colour.

Blue/Orange, Young Vic, London SE1, May 12-June 18
Joe Penhall’s award-winning play, from 2000, still raises vital questions about sanity, social norms and race. Matthew Xia’s production stars the up-and-comers Luke Norris and Daniel Kaluuya.

Lovebox, Victoria Park, London E3, July 15-16
Only five years ago, James Murphy’s LCD Soundsystem called it quits, but — surprise! — they’re back already. Come and rejoice (or forgive) in east London, where Major Lazer, Jungle, Run the Jewels, Kano and Stormzy will also appear.

The Boy with Tape on His Face, Lowry, Salford, Sept 7, then touring
For the uninitiated, this is exactly what it says it is: a boy, a man, with tape on his face. And yes, this means he never speaks. But no, this does not limit the fun. Excellent physical comedy from the Edinburgh favourite, who now tours extensively.