London Culture Now – Bee’s Top Picks for Theatre and Exhibitions 2026

A 10-day trip to London over New Year meant our arts writer saw 17 plays and visited just as many exhibitions. With this overflowing cup of culture, I want to show you some things I particularly liked, writes Sabine Koch…

There were excellent shows, that have closed recently, like the play Daniel’s Husband at the Marylebone Theatre or the Gilbert & George exhibition at the Southbank Centre – but there are still many things on, and these are my picks to see:

Jack Holden in KENREX
Photo (c) by Manuel Harlan

About to close in London before a New York transfer is the impressive KENREX. A one-man play (plus a musician) about a real-life criminal case, it didn’t immediately grab my attention but I got a Rush ticket from TodayTix for New Year’s Eve and boy I’m glad I went! Jack Holden, who co-wrote the script, plays all characters and does it brilliantly. From the lawyer to the wife, to the victim and the perpetrator – Jack has an insightful grip on it all and with a switch in tonality or body language, can convey that person most distinctly. I really liked the live music, although a little loud for my taste. An off Broadway run has just now been confirmed, but if you can’t grab a ticket in the remaining few days do so. I hope it comes back to London.

Special mention goes to the theatre. It was my first time at The Other Palace and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a great size, the raking of the seats is so clever and I loved the general atmosphere and vibe of the venue and its cute bar. Will definitely check it out more.

https://theotherpalace.co.uk/kenrex/

My second tip is INTO THE WOODS. Of course it isn’t exactly a secret and might be obvious, but I loved it for its musicality. I went with a friend who is much more knowledgeable about Sondheim but who prefers other shows like Company or Follies of the great composer. But I thought it was wonderful.

: Sabine Koch at Into The Woods

: Curtain Call

: Curtain Call

: Into The Woods programme

We had front row tickets for 30 Pounds that were billed as restricted view, but the only thing restricted about the seats was probably damage to the lungs. Dry ice was used extensively and if you are sensitive to that, please chose a seat further back. In general it was quite strange to see the usually so limber and flexible Bridge Theatre in such a classic proscenium set up, but why not? The cast was definitely up to the task and gave it their all. So if you want a fun night out, this is certainly it.

https://www.bridgetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/into-the-woods/

My third tip is OPERATION MINCEMEAT. I have been participating in their lottery for a long time and I finally made use of me winning. The production did change up their lottery seating. It used to be, that the seats you could “win”, were pretty crappy, but nowadays you get the pick all over the venue. So I went and I was blown away by it. The music is wonderful, the story (while indeed based on very creepy source material), lends itself to great fun and the performers are first rate, with excellent voices and comedic timing for their several roles. I especially loved the gender blind casting (a necessity at the conception of the musical), which made some of the really clever jokes even more stinging. The ideas about old Etonians and about women in the work force are well observed and give the jokes a sharpness and modernity I didn’t expect. There is heart too, as in Hester Leggatt’s poignant ballad “Dear Bill”, that made me shed a tear. So glad I finally saw it and I highly recommend it, especially to all those people, who think they won’t like it or who don’t care for the subject. I, for one wouldn’t mind seeing it again!

https://operationmincemeat.com/

Slipper belonging to Marie Antoinette, beaded pink silk © Photo: CC0 Paris Musées / Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris

For the exhibitions that might be of interest, I would love to recommend, first of all, MARIE ANTOINETTE STYLE at the V&A. The curators can, of course, draw from the full vaults of the spectacular museum but for this exhibition they really gave it their all. The highlight is the artefacts from the time of Marie Antoinette or in some cases actually owned/worn by her. Those exhibits are simply spectacular. The sheer craftsmanship is astounding and the artistry mind blowing. In the latter part there are wonderful exhibits of gowns etc. inspired by the unfortunate queen. They are also exciting and fabulous to look at, but I found the scope – with mostly film costumes, limited and would have preferred something more ‘out of the box’. Still worth the trip to South Kensington.

https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/marie-antoinette

2nd tip is the extensive TURNER & CONSTABLE exhibition at Tate Britain. To see those two contemporaries and their careers compared side by side is really enlightening. Starting from their very beginnings to the end, the parallels are astounding. And while I can appreciate John Constable and his work, J. W. Turner is undoubtedly the star of the show. Especially his almost abstract works, some of them so big they envelop the viewer, can transport you out of the now into the future. To see such a vast display of his mastery and his unparalleled vision, is just breathtaking. His works feel so incredibly modern, it is unbelievable, that all of this was painted around 250 years ago. What must the people in his time have thought? From little sketches to smaller painting to huge canvases – the exhibition has it all and is a must see!

https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/turner-and-constable

3rd tip is NIGERIAN MODERNISM at the Tate Modern. I think we are generally concentrating to much on the Global North for artistic roots and appreciation. While there is certainly much to see there, it behoves us to broaden our view and look at other parts of the world, where there was art and artistic expression, sometimes much earlier than here and most certainly just as valid and inspiring. This exhibition looks at a pretty short time, the mid-20th century and the Nigerian art coming from that period, when Africa stood up and demanded their freedom from Colonialism. The exhibits range from pottery to weaving to statues to paintings and they are all expressive and unique. They mostly combine folklorist elements with modern sensibilities and take the tales from the past to step into the future. And all in vivid colours and shapes. The perfect thing to see in such dark winter times.

https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/nigerian-modernism

And a last, general shout out to THE PHOTOGRAPHERS‘ GALLERY. This little, hidden gallery has had some stunning exhibitions on in the last years. I love photography anyway and to just swing by this great space for a dose of it, is such a fun. At the moment they are showing 3 distinct and interesting exhibitions, all exciting in their own regard. Good thing, that you can see all with one ticket!

https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/

London, I look forward to being back soon!