LIVE EVENT

Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Saves the World

Birmingham Rep 1 February-11 March birmingham-rep.co.ukKing Charles III asks Tom Cruise to save Britain and activist Greta Thunberg duets with singer Stormzy – these are two of the spectacles in store for audiences when a live version of Spitting Image arrives in the theatre. From this month, the satirical puppet show will take to the stage for the first time ever, 40 years after it was first filmed in Birmingham. Other caricatures include Harry and Meghan, Boris Johnson, Adele, and Vladimir Putin. One of the most-watched shows of the Eighties, the programme was rebooted for 20 episodes between 2020 and 2022 on streaming platform BritBox.

EXHIBITION

Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance

Victoria and Albert Museum, London 11 February-11 June vam.ac.ukHe created the first known freestanding nude statue since ancient times (the bronze David, in around 1430) and is arguably the greatest sculptor of all time. Now, the V&A has the first major UK exhibition dedicated to Donatello’s life, work and legacy. Born in 1389 in Florence, he experimented with a range of techniques up until his death in 1466. Expect to see many pieces on display for the first time in the UK.