Good Times: What to see and do in September
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If you’ve spent the summer sipping spritzes in the sunshine and not doing much else, fear not. September always signals something of a fresh start, so if your culture tank is feeling a little depleted, now's a great time to pack in some exhibitions, theatre trips and date nights to the cinema. There’s plenty to choose from this month, from Kate Winslet’s take on model-turned-war-correspondent Lee Miller in the highly-anticipated film Lee, to Katherine Hahn's return to the Marvel world as dark witch Agatha Harkness in Disney+'s Agatha All Along.
To really lean in to the back to school vibes, grab your rucksack and head to North Shore High by way of London's Savoy Theatre, where Tina Fey's musical adaptation of her 2004 movie Mean Girls is playing. Or, brush up on your art history with a trip to The National Gallery's ‘once-in-a-century’ exhibition of over 50 of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings.
Read on to discover our number one hot ticket this month, plus the best of the rest from around the country…
HOT TICKET
Mean Girls
When: Booking until 16th February 2025
Where: Savoy Theatre, Savoy Ct, Strand, London WC2R 0ET
“2004’s Mean Girls holds a special place in my heart, hence why I refused to watch the 2024 Gen Z remake - surely no one could top our Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams as feuding high schoolers Cady Heron and Regina George?
So when I heard the Broadway musical (which first opened in 2018 and inspired the film remake earlier this year) was coming to London, I was sceptical of how much I’d enjoy it. I can quote the film line for line - why should I watch a version that’s sort of that but not, bent into shape for a younger generation? How wrong I was.
High school - or secondary school to us Brits - is as universal an experience as they come, and for all the developments since the noughties - namely smartphones and social media - the social politics of trying to fit in while figuring out who you are as a person is still excruciatingly the same.
It’s a high-energy show that doesn’t stop to breathe for two and a half hours. It hugs the storyline of the film pretty closely, with a few changes made for the stage. I welcomed the added insight into certain characters, such as the tightly-wound Gretchen Wieners and her desperate struggle for best friend Regina’s approval - seen in her song What’s Wrong With Me? - while the comedy is dialled up to the max, especially by Tom Xander, who will have you belly-laughing as Damian Hubbard.
But don’t worry, all the best lines from the film are there too, which draw a knowing chuckle from the audience, striking just the right balance of familiarity and newness."
By Georgia Green, Senior Celebrity Writer
Tickets from £25
TV
Agatha All Along
Katherine Hahn returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the centuries-old witch Agatha Harkness in this brand-new series. We first met Agatha in 2021's WandaVision, as Wanda's neighbour-turned-nemesis who becomes trapped in the New Jersey town of Westview. Agatha All Along picks up where WandaVision left off - and sees Agatha escape from Westview and form a new coven of witches with a goth teen. Aubrey Plaza also stars.
Watch on Disney+ from 19 September.
The Great British Bake Off
Alison Hammond, Noel Fielding, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are welcoming a fresh batch of bakers to the iconic white tent for series 15 of the show. With 30 new challenges to complete, who will rise to the top and who will fall victim to the dreaded soggy bottom?
Watch on Channel 4 this September.
A Very Royal Scandal
The latest dramatisation of cover star Emily Maitlis's bombshell interview with Prince Andrew is almost as jaw-dropping as the real thing. Told in three parts that cover the lead-up to the interview, the event itself and the many questions left in its wake, Ruth Wilson is unrecognisable as the former Newsnight presenter, while Michael Sheen plays the scandal-mired Prince.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video from 19 September.
FILM
LEE
Kate Winslet stars as Lee Miller in this biopic of the acclaimed war photographer, who defied expectations of women in her day to become one of the most recognised war correspondents. The film explores the most significant decade of Miller's life when, as a middle-aged woman, she travelled to Europe to report from the front line of World War II, where she captured images for British Vogue - which remain among the most significant and historically important of the Second World War. Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough, Andy Samberg and Josh O’Connor also star.
In cinemas from 13 September.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
More than three decades after the release of comedy-horror classic Beetlejuice, director Tim Burton is back with a sequel. When the Deetz family return home to Winter River, it’s not long before the ghosts make their presence known. Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton and Catherine O’Hara reprise their roles, while Jenna Ortega (Wednesday), Justin Theroux and Monica Bellucci join the cast.
In cinemas from 6 September.
Wolfs
Covering up high-profile crimes is a fairly solitary line of work, so when two fixers, Nick and Jack – played by Brad Pitt and George Clooney – are called to the same job and forced to work together, they naturally both want to do it their way. As the night spirals out of control, can these two lone wolves work it out?
In cinemas from 20 September.
THEATRE
Come Alive!
Inspired by the smash hit musical film, The Greatest Showman, comes a jaw-dropping circus spectacular at London’s Earls Court. With pre-show theatrics, a brand-new storyline and all the hit songs you know and love, including This Is Me and Rewrite The Stars, the finest international circus stars come together for one epic show.
23 September to 5 January 2025, The Empress Museum, London.
Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular
Following the huge success of Les Misérables: The Staged Concert, the show has been supersized for a spectacular world tour, with a huge cast and guest stars including Alfie Boe, Michael Ball and Bonnie Langford. See it in Belfast, Glasgow, Sheffield, Aberdeen, Manchester or Newcastle.
19 September to 5 January 2025, various UK venues.
Abigail’s Party
A sparkling new production of Mike Leigh’s cult classic comedy arrives at London’s Theatre Royal Stratford East. Set in 1970s suburban England, it stars Tamzin Outhwaite and Kevin Bishop as husband and wife Beverly and Laurence, hosts of an ill-fated cocktail party with their neighbours.
6 September to 12 October, Theatre Royal Stratford East, London.
EXHIBITIONS
Van Gogh: Poets And Lovers
A once-in-a-century exhibition of Van Gogh paintings is part of the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary celebrations. Get up close with more than 50 of his works, including Starry Night Over The Rhône (above), and discover what inspired them.
14 September to 19 January 2025, The National Gallery, London.
Tracey Emin: I Followed You To The End
Described as one of the most compelling artists working today, this new major solo exhibition of Tracey Emin’s work, is a must-see. Including new paintings and a ‘monumental’ bronze sculpture, the artist draws on themes of love, desire, loss and grief in her work, so expect more of her signature soul-searching candour.
19 September to 10 November, White Cube, London.
To Shine A Light / Who Dared To Dream
Six contemporary female photographers are highlighted in this new exhibition. Taking a range of approaches, from documentary and landscape to self-portraiture and AI-generated imagery, they explore themes such as society’s negative views of older women and the rise of plastic on our beaches.
Until 29 September, RPS Gallery, Bristol.
EVENTS
Mrs Doubtfire x Colonel Saab
Having just celebrated its first anniversary in the West End, the hit musical - based on the 1993 film starring Robin Williams about a divorced father who goes undercover as a Scottish nanny so he can see his children - has partnered with award-winning Indian restaurant, Colonel Saab, for a multi-sensory theatrical dining experience. Inspired by the film’s hugely popular Bollywood remake Chachi 420, the mouthwatering menu
features dishes and cocktails inspired by famous scenes and lines. The Poppet's Paneer Pakeezah and Dear's Delight Butter Chicken are delicious curries, but the Doubt Everything Khubani Aloo Tikki Chaat starter is particular moreish. To enjoy a two- or five-course meal and cocktail at Colonel Saab (£35 and £60 respectively), before a four-minute stroll to catch the show at the Shaftsbury Theatre, we recommend booking your table at Colonel Saab 2 and a quarter hours before curtains up.
Booking until 15 February, Colonel Saab and Shaftsbury Theatre, London.
Radio 2 In The Park
Radio 2 decamps to Preston for the weekend for its annual festival, and it’s bringing a whole host of pop stars with it. Sting, Sugababes, Snow Patrol, Craig David, Pet Shop Boys and Sister Sledge are just some of the artists taking to the stage, while all your favourite Radio 2 DJs, including Sara Cox, Jo Whiley and Vernon Kay, will be spinning the tunes on the DJ stage.
6-8 September, Moor Park, Preston.
Sip & Plant Workshop With Humble Grape
Wine and gardening are two of life's greatest pleasures - so what happens when you mix them both together? Good Housekeeping’s Deputy Editor Nathalie Whittle tried exactly that at one of Humble Grape’s ‘Sip & Plant’ workshops – and it turns out, they make a pretty perfect pairing. A collaboration between wine bar and importer Humble Grape and Botanical Boys, who provide botanical experiences by connecting people to nature, the 2.5-hour workshops take place at various venues across London and offer the chance to craft your very own succulent garden in a planter (yes, you do get to take it home) while tasting a variety of far-too-easy-to-drink organic wines.
‘Admittedly, I was a little apprehensive about showing off my non-existent gardening skills to a room full of people, but I was pleasantly surprised by how relaxing the whole thing was,’ says Nathalie. 'Around 12 of us took part in the workshop, so it felt intimate but not intimidating and our private sommelier Alessandro greeted us with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, which went down a treat. Darren from Botanical Boys guided us through the art of crafting the perfect succulent, and despite plenty of wine-tasting breaks in between, which might easily have derailed my efforts, I was rather proud of the end result. My succulent now has pride of place in my kitchen and I'm already thinking about making another to keep it company.'
If plants aren’t really your thing, Humble Grape is putting on a host of other events this September in celebration of its 15th birthday. Think a wine-filled London treasure hunt and a special birthday Supper Club featuring fine wine paired with dishes from Executive Chef Dane Barnard. We'll see you there!
Various dates at Humble Grape wine bars in Islington, Fleet Street, Battersea, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf and Crouch End.
TICKETS TO BOOK AHEAD
Life On Our Planet In Concert
Prepare to be mesmerised by this live concert experience, featuring highlights from the powerful Netflix documentary series. Touring the UK, the two-hour immersive show is accompanied by a 44-piece symphony orchestra.
2-17 October, various UK venues.
The Duchess
Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker takes to the stage for the first time in over a decade in Zinnie Harris’ acclaimed contemporary adaptation of John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi. Playing for just 11 weeks, the story follows the recently widowed Duchess (Whittaker) who remarried beneath her class, much to the distaste of her brothers who take it upon themselves to unleash cruel and devastating punishments against their sister.
5 October to 20 December, Trafalgar Theatre, London.
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake: The Next Generation
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Matthew Bourne’s genre-defining Swan Lake begins its run at Theatre Royal Plymouth and Manchester’s The Lowry, before spending the Christmas season at London’s Sadler’s Wells. The ballet then tours the rest of the UK throughout 2025.
11 November to 7 June 2025, various UK venues.
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