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'Metamorphosis'

January
PICK OF THE MONTH
COMEDY
Chris Rock
Energetic, controversial and wickedly funny, Rock is one of the biggest stand-ups of any generation. This is his first major series of gigs in London.
Jan 11-25, Hammersmith Apollo

THEATRE
Metamorphosis
Spectacular visual adaptation of Kafka’s short story.
From Jan 11, Lyric Hammersmith

MUSIC
Pet Shop Boys/Battleship Potemkin
The PSBs reprise their acclaimed soundtrack job for Sergei Eisenstein's much talked about, little actually watched, silent classic. If you can’t get a ticket you can always buy the live CD and sync it up with a DVD of the movie, ‘Dark Side Of The Moon/Wizard of Oz’-style.
Jan 11, Barbican
Feature continues

AROUND TOWN
Collins Stewart London Boat Show
As ever, everything from dream yachts for show-offs with big bucks to modest boats for people with small budgets and a genuine love of life afloat.
Jan 11-20, ExCeL One

Russian Winter Festival

AROUND TOWN
Russian Winter Festival
Now in its fourth year, the Russian Winter Festival has become a regular date in Trafalgar Square’s party calendar, representing the diversity of Russian culture, with performances of native pop and indie rock (young vocalist Bianka is among those on the bill), along with folk groups, street theatre and military marching bands.
Jan 13, Trafalgar Square

ART
‘Paso Doble’
Watching mime might not be at the top of most theatregoers’ New Year’s resolutions, but the thirtieth London International Mime Festival might convert a few with its extraordinary headline act. Catalan artist Miquel Barceló is bringing his thickly impastoed paintings to life with the aid of French choreographer Josef Nadj and ten tons of wet red clay, which they’ll be transform live into a sculptural dance of sliding, shaping and mud slinging.
Jan 16-19, Barbican Theatre

THEATRE
‘Uncle Vanya’
After many setbacks, the Rose Theatre in Kingston finally opens with ‘Uncle Vanya’ directed by Peter Hall.
From Jan 16, Rose Theatre, Kingston-upon-Thames

THEATRE
'The Vertical Hour'
Indira Varma and Anton Lesser appear in David Hare’s new play, already seen on Broadway, which pits a former war reporter against her boyfriend’s opinionated father.
From Jan 17, Royal Court Theatre

CLASSICAL
Judith Weir at the Barbican
January continues the Hogmanay spirit with one of the Barbican’s legendary contemporary composer weekends, devoted to Scot Judith Weir. Concerts, talks, films and free foyer events fill out the portrait of a consistently accessible composer.
Jan 18-20, Barbican

NIGHTLIFE
Hi-Tek Soul
This bi-monthly party always delivers the finest techno DJs, which is hardly surprising when it has the Detroit pioneer Derrick May and London’s Jim Masters as residents. Then they add special guests like New York’s Body & Soul hero François K and a lot of euphoric techno and tech-house fans.
Jan 19, Ministry of Sound

SOCIAL CLUB
The Monkey Shoulder Appreciation Society
Monthly talks and discussions in central London with interesting and worldly-wise speakers, including Rob Allanson, editor of Whisky magazine, on the art of whisky and cigar appreciation with some Robbie Burns poetry (Jan 22), and Guy Browning on the art of seduction (Feb 12).

Together second birthday at Turnmills

NIGHTLIFE
Together second birthday
Together is invariably in our top three Critics’ Choice selection because it combines rock and dance, big names and silly games, serious beats and dress-up antics. This time there are DJ sets from Hot Chip and Fischerspooner, Duke Dumont and John Kennedy, plus free haircuts. Jan 26, Turnmills

COMEDY
Mark Watson
'Welsh' comedian Watson examines the purpose of his own life after having a short encounter with an evangelist. His enthusiasm is infectious: this show is beautifully crafted, warm-hearted and a total delight.
Jan 31-Feb 1, Bloomsbury Theatre

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