A plethora of thrilling art and culture to come in November – but first, Australian philanthropist Dr Gene Sherman attempts to redefine creative expression itself at The Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas…
28 October – 6 November
Australian philanthropist and advocate for contemporary design, Dr Gene Sherman AM brings The Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas (SCCI) to the Design Museum in London to reshape our understanding of fashion and architecture. The SCCI Fashion and Architecture Hubs comprise international, intimate, high-impact live speaking events presented by a line-up of leading Australian thinkers in Fashion, Architecture and other disciplines of cultural, business, creative and humanitarian activity. Dr Sherman’s acclaimed new book, The Spoken Object, has also recently been published.
Tim Minchin live in London for one night only – plus Matilda gets UK cinema release
23 November
Multi-award-winning Australian musician, comedian, writer, composer and actor, Tim Minchin has announced a one-off chance to re-live his record breaking, sell-out show, BACK, in cinemas for one night only in November. On top of that, the film adaptation of the West End production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, for which he wrote the lyrics, will be released in UK cinemas, too!
29 October – 11 November
After a successful exhibition in London, painter Pippa Blake brings her new body of work to the beautiful Candida Stevens Gallery in Chichester. Undercurrents explores the calming serenity and hidden dangers of creeks, streams, and rivers both in the UK and New Zealand.
21 November – 2 December
Australian new music ensemble, Decibel, make their first visit to the UK with a two-week tour including concerts of Australian and UK compositions, research seminars, workshopping of students and recording projects. Decibel integrates acoustic and electronic instruments in chamber music performance. For the full programme of events, see the UK/Australia Season brochure.
15 November
Multi-award winning artist Reb Fountain follows in the footsteps of Bob Dylan by performing her first ever headline show in London at The Water Rats, Kings Cross. The New Zealand-raised musician will take to the stage with her all-star band and showcase her masterful combination of pop and her trademark noir folk-punk sound – as featured on her critically acclaimed Flying Nun Records releases, Reb Fountain and IRIS.
New Zealand musician Bret McKenzie performs in London
20 November
New Zealand musician, actor and comedian Bret McKenzie – aka one half of Flight of the Conchords – brings his debut solo album, Songs Without Jokes, to the UK in November with a single gig at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on 20 November. Renowned for his music work on The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted, Bret released the album earlier this year to much acclaim.
Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett will play 14 shows in Europe in support of her latest album, Things Take Time, Take Time, which culminates with her performance at London’s Roundhouse on 13 November for Pitchfork Music Festival
Australian poet Cath Drake hosts Adventures with Villanelles with British-Iranian poet, Mimi Khalvati, in an online masterclass on 24 November
New Zealand comedian Alice Brine brings her debut hour show, Brinestorm, to 21SOHO in London on 29 November
The Tait Memorial Trust turns 30! Join them to celebrate their anniversary, cabaret-style, at the Exhibition Hall, Australia House on 30 November
Hurry! Last chance…
The Australian Chamber Orchestra makes its anticipated return to the UK for a three-concert residency at the Barbican Centre in London, 27 – 29 October
Deadline for submission to the Commonwealth Short Story Prize is 1 November. Competition co-judged by former New Zealand Poet Laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh.
A final farewell
To Australian publisher, writer and critic Dame Carmen Callil, who has died aged 84. Callil, who spent most of her career in the UK, founded Virago Press – championing women’s writing and books on feminist topics – in 1973 and received the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature in 2017. A revolutionary in publishing, Callil was also an invaluable advisor to FANZA in its early days. The tributes are pouring in.
And last but not least…
Arise, Sir Sam! Huge congrats to our wonderful arts patron, actor Sam Neill, on adding a knighthood to his many other accolades and honours – and a big shout out for his voice in helping to reverse the threat of funding withdrawal for the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare’s Globe programme. We’re looking forwarding to diving into his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, when it’s published next year.
