The critical list

Theatre
Christopher Hart and John Peter

Avenue Q
This Tony-winning Broadway musical features the lives and loves of some extremely rude puppets. Songs include The Internet Is for Porn and the sublime Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist. But beneath the South Park-style offensiveness, there’s an unexpectedly warm heart. CH
Noël Coward Theatre, WC2

The Comedy of Errors
Christopher Luscombe’s boisterously funny production, cunningly designed by Janet Bird, is pure comedy-farce. It’s a kind of Carry On Shakespeare, a loving send-up without mockery. The acting is fast and witty. Shamelessly enjoyable. JP
Shakespeare’s Globe, SE1

Rock’n’Roll
Tom Stoppard’s new play is about the politics of the soul: how the spirit struggles to defy the dogmatic, corrupt and vulgar. Trevor Nunn’s production speaks to the mind and the heart. JP
Duke of York’s, WC2

Art
Frank Whitford

Modigliani and His Models
This examination of portraits and nudes by Modigliani is proving popular, not least because everyone knows about the artist’s dissolute life. How could someone so morally degenerate have such exquisite taste?
Royal Academy, W1, until Oct 15

Rebels & Martyrs
Tortured genius and social outcast: where do these clichéd images of the artist come from? This imaginative exhibition traces their evolution from Romanticism to the 20th century.
National Gallery, WC2, until Aug 28

French Drawings
The first part (embracing the period from 1500 to 1700) of a show of masterpieces from the British Museum’s permanent collection. The drawings are almost never exhibited, so this is a rare chance to see them.
The second part, from Watteau to Seurat, begins in October.
British Museum, WC1, until Oct 1

Surprise, Surprise
What a good idea to show early work by the likes of Cindy Sherman, Damien Hirst and the Chapman brothers. Can you guess who did what? That, supposedly, is where the surprise comes in.
ICA, SW1, until Sept 10

Rembrandt & Co: Dealing in Masterpieces
An original slant on Rembrandt, illustrating the international activities and influence of his dealers, the Uylenburghs.
Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21, until Sept 3

Concerts
Paul Driver

Presteigne Festival
The festival opens with a concert in which George Vass conducts the Festival Orchestra in Mozart’s Divertimento in D, K136; Adrian Williams’s Migrations, for 22 solo strings; Stravinsky’s Concerto in D; and Peteris Vasks’s violin concerto Distant Light (soloist Anthony Marwood).
St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne, Thu

Pop
Mark Edwards

Cardiff Calling
Snow Patrol headline a promising bill that ranges from veteran rappers De La Soul to fresh-faced pop stars such as Lily Allen. Badly Drawn Boy and the Young Knives are also in attendance, and Goldie Lookin’ Chain provide a DJ set.
Cooper’s Field, Cardiff, Sat

Juana Molina
The intriguing Juana Molina — who used to star in Argentine sitcoms and now sings gentle songs over shimmery guitar loops — continues her tour with two dates in south London.
Greenwich Picturehouse, SE10, Mon; Ritzy Picturehouse, SW2, Wed

Reading and Leeds
The long- standing dual-venue festival seldom disappoints. This year, you can stay glued to the main stage on Friday at Reading, or Saturday at Leeds, to see Franz Ferdinand (above), Kaiser Chiefs and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Or wander more widely to catch Maxïmo Park and Broken Social Scene (Friday at Leeds, Sunday at Reading) and the Raconteurs and Giant Drag (Saturday at Reading, Sunday at Leeds).
Little John’s Farm, Reading, and Bramham Park, Leeds, Fri-Sun