We’ve got your cultural plans sorted, all carefully curated by our team. We’re super excited to see The Flea return to The Yard Theatre next week after its sold-out premiere in 2023. There's also Dance Umbrella Festival, which offers a chance to catch the most promising international dance makers premiering their work for the first time in the city. Among other events, we're looking forward to Altered Images, an evening celebrating avant-garde film and music. Dive in—we’ve selected a few other events, so there’s something for everyone!
THEATRE
THE FLEA
THE YARD
Hackney Wick I 7 October to 30 November
Following its success in 2023, The Flea returns to the Yard theatre.This provocative play retells the scandalous true story of a Victorian-era gay brothel linked to the British monarchy. A thrilling tale of power, sex and deception, featuring a flea, a horse, a copper, a queen, a pimp, a god — and Charlie Swinscow. The telegraph boy whose secret threatened to bring an empire to its knees.
All event information and tickets here.
DANCE
DANCE UMBRELLA FESTIVAL
VARIOUS VENUES
9 October to 31 October
Dance Umbrella Festival returns this October, showcasing the most promising international dance creators as they premiere their works in the city for the first time. The festival aims to ignite conversations, featuring artists who are redefining narratives through performances that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.
With seven live performances spread across various venues in London, the festival also includes talks and a digital program.
All event information and tickets here.
LISTENING EXPERIENCE
ATONAL KAT: POP! ANDREW POPPY @ 70
CAFÉ OTO
Dalston I 6 October 19:30
Atonal Kat is a sporadic series of sonic soirees held at Café Oto. This special edition celebrates composer Andrew Poppy’s 70th year. Poppy will perform his dark and beguiling avant-pop songs, intertwined with intricate visuals visuals, alongside meditative selections from his transformative piano cycle.
All event information and tickets here.
SCREENING
DEEPER INTO MOVIES: TRAINSPOTTING
PECKHAM LEVELS
Peckham I 9 October 19:30
With live-wire energy and stylistic verve, Trainspotting bounces across the life and times of Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor), a Scottish heroin addict who, along with his misfit mates, gets high, gets in trouble, gets clean, and gets high again, all in a bid to outrun the banality of modern existence.
Kinetically cut to an iconic soundtrack of techno, rock, and Brit-pop, this indie phenomenon chooses life in all its ugly, beautiful, terrifying exhilaration.
PERFORMANCE & MUSIC
FUTUR.SHOCK: SEASON FOUR, CHAPER 2 “TRUE STORIES”
FOLD
Canning Town I 10 October 19:00 - 00:00
Future.Shock, held at Fold Night Club, fuses electronic music, performance, digital art, and visual culture. For this edition, they invite two curatorial platforms: Czech-based PAF, which focuses on moving images, animation, and contemporary art, and London-based A—Z. A—Z engages audiences through discursive practices, aiming to challenge preconceived notions of race, gender identity, and the so-called history in terms of power relationships.
All event information and tickets here.
DOCUMENTARY
DOC’N ROLL FESTIVAL
VARIOUS VENUES
24 October to 10 November
Doc'n Roll amplifies underrepresented voices in the music industry, celebrating diverse music subcultures through documentary films. Their flagship festival returns with 26 film premieres, launching at BFI Southbank and Barbican Cinemas and extending to six other London venues. Spanning a wide range of genres—including hip hop, R&B, folk, rock, jazz, and punk—the festival also features Q&A sessions with filmmakers and musicians, offering deeper insights into the stories behind the music.
All event information and tickets here.
SCREENING, PERFORMANCE & DJ
DOYENNE X ORMSIDE PT. III MOON NEAR VENUS
ORMSIDE PROJECTS
South Bermondsey I 6 October 19:00 - 23:00
Doyenne presents an evening of film screenings, mooncakes and music for the astronomical event that night: moon appearing near Venus — an event symbolising a time of reflection and intuition. To celebrate this, the event will feature a curated selection of film screenings, live music, and a DJ set, alongside mooncakes and delicacies.
All event information and tickets here.
EXPERIMENTAL FILM & MUSIC
ALTERED IMAGES
LOKI
Brixton I 10 October 19:00 - 03:00
In collaboration with IKLECTIK, Altered Images presents an evening of cutting-edge art, live music, performances, and installations, celebrating avant-garde film and music. Live musicians will create unique soundscapes to complement film projections, while mesmerising visuals accompany the pulsating rhythms of top DJs and electronic artists.
All event information and tickets here.