The Exhibition to See: The Edge of Things
Four decades of Nadav Kander’s work is celebrated in The Edge of Things. It runs from 18 September to 20 January and is also the subject of a must-have monograph from Thames & Hudson. London-based Kander is the creator of some of the most instantly recognisable portraits in contemporary life, from President Obama to David Lynch, Rosamund Pike and Mark Rylance (and not forgetting the King). His search for moments of transcendence makes this retrospective in Foam’s spectacular canal-side temple to the medium of photography a great reason to get to Amsterdam.
The Film to See: Pressure
Pressure is a British war film with a stellar cast which you can see in cinemas from 9 September. Working Title developed David Haig’s play, examining the fraught run-up to the D-Day landings to make a slickly contemporary take on a World War 2 drama. The film belongs to Andrew Scott, with support from Brendan Fraser and Damian Lewis. After dismay that his devastating performance in All of Us Strangers didn’t attract awards season acclaim in 2024, Scott also shines this season in Elsinore. He plays the late Ian Charleson (1919-1990) as he played Hamlet at the National Theatre in the last months of his life. Ahead of the UK release, it features at the London Film Festival as their gala opening film and is without doubt the cinema ticket to try to book this month.
The Theatre to See: Hay Fever
If you want to see Richard E Grant on stage, get booking for the classic Hay Fever, which will be at Wyndham’s Theatre from 22 September. Opposite Grant will be Broadway and Cybill star Christine Baranski, which sounds like a sparkling mix for Noel Coward’s country house party from hell. See you there…
The Album to Buy: Ride Lonesome
![Ride Lonesome [vinyl]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nnFRb3gqdyhUVz4HLfWwFX-1920-80.jpg.webp)
After his longest-ever gap between albums, Beck has new music with Ride Lonesome, finally following 2019’s Hyperspace. There’s also the chance to see him on tour this month in the US and Canada. That’s sadly not the case for Timeless, which is ten tracks of rare and unreleased studio and live recordings from Prince, but true fans will be seeking out the limited-edition purple vinyl.
The Literary Event to Attend: Chelsea Arts Festival
Chelsea Arts Festival is a reminder of the Royal Borough as a place for writers, artists and bookshops. Its second edition takes place at venues across SW3 from 16 to 20 September with the chance to hear from the likes of Susie Cave, Bernardine Evaristo and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Don’t forget a stop at John Sandoe and Book Bar too, to keep them thriving… Or if you want to get your ideas out of town, Sir Don McCullin, Esther Freud and Carlos Acosta and many more are on the programme for Mariella Frostrup and Jason McCue’s new two-day Somerset festival Big Brue (in beautiful Bruton of course) on the 19th and 20th.
The TV to Watch: Slow Horses
BAFTA-winning Slow Horses has been renewed for a sixth and seventh season… the sixth arrives on 16 September on Apple TV, with episodes released every Wednesday for six weeks. If you possibly can, save Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas’s sensational spy performances up for an immersive viewing session of the best-written drama that you can watch at home.
The Collaboration to Look Out For: The Last Dolls at Atlas Gallery
It’s 20 years since the untimely death of photographer Bob Carlos Clarke. A London/Irish original, his legacy is celebrated in style with The Last Dolls at Atlas Gallery, 49 Dorset Street from 5 to 26 September. The first London exhibition of his work for a decade, this sexy selling show is curated by Brandei Estes of the NPG and feels as though he is still pushing boundaries. Whether you’re an admiring window shopper or a serious collector it’s a must-see, organised in collaboration with the Little Black Gallery.
The Theatre Tickets to Book: The Lives of Others
The premier of Stasi drama The Lives of Others, adapted from the Oscar-winning 2006 film, has lured Keira Knightley to the Adelphi in a very rare chance to see the star on stage. She is under surveillance opposite Luke Thompson. Directed by Robert Icke, be transported to East Germany in 1984 from 20 October to 9 January.
The Books to Read: Threads and Man & Dog
A British institution with an unconventional route to success, get behind the scenes with Sir Paul Smith’s memoir Threads out on 10 September with Macmillan. (A brilliant raconteur, the audiobook is read by his pal Bill Nighy). Also this month, devastation at the loss of Stan has led Tony Parsons to meditate on the love humans have for our dogs in Man & Dog: A Love Story (DK books). His ability to explain what so many people feel made Stan a viral column and now a book for anyone that’s grieved for a dog as a true member of the family.