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Best sweetheart: Olive Oyl from Jeff Koon's Popeye Series

The Standard's writers pick out the best shows, films and exhibitions taking place in the capital

LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Southbank Centre, SE1

There's a fabulous line-up of literary talent in various venues along the South Bank for this fortnight-long festival celebrating the written word, which began last night. Highlights include Buzz Aldrin discussing his memoir Magnificent Desolation, published on the 40th anniversary of his Moon landing; Sarah Waters reading from her new novel, The Little Stranger, a ghost story set in Warwickshire; and Peter Bowker describing how he adapted Wuthering Heights for television — soon to be on ITV with Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley.

There are also poetry readings, panel discussions and story-reading for children, while tomorrow, 50 Lambeth and Southwark children stage an outdoor production of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner, in a joint production with the Southbank Centre and Young Vic. The tale of the fateful sea voyage is accompanied by original music by Southbank Centre Artists in Residence Bellowhead.

Until 16 July. Information: 0871 663 2599, www.southbankcentre.co.uk. £7-£30, concs available

Five best art

JEFF KOONS: POPEYE SERIES
Serpentine, W2. Until 13 September (020 7402 6075)
Super-clever objects and paintings, masquerading as superficial.
MEDALS OF DISHONOUR
British Museum, EC1. Until 27 September (www.britishmuseum.org)
Enlightening and frequently hilarious display of medals, from medieval craftsmen to Grayson Perry.
WALKING IN THE MIND
Hayward Gallery, SE1. Until 6 September (0871 663 2519) Superb collection of walk-through installations by international contemporary artists.
KEITH COVENTRY: WORKS 2002-2009
Haunch of Venison, W1. Until 15 August (020 7495 5050)One of the best painting shows you will see this year.
TRACEY EMIN
White Cube Mason's Yard, SW1. Until
4 July (020 7930 5373)
With her stop-motion animation and drawings of female masturbation, Emin proves she can still shock, but there's a new seriousness about her work, too.

Five best film

STRAWBERRIES & CHOCOLATE
Cert 18, 110 mins
Groundbreaking Cuban film from 1994, in which Tomás Gutiérrez Alea dares to criticise the regime.
ICE AGE 3
Cert U, 96 mins
Not much of a story but the 3D pratfalls are excellent and it ought to keep the kids quiet for a bit.
SUNSHINE CLEANING
Cert 15, 102 mins
Amy Adams and Emily Blunt brilliant as two sisters trying to make life work in small-town America.
RUDO AND CURSI
Cert 15, 102 mins
Engaging Mexican football comedy with Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna.
LOOKING FOR ERIC
Cert 15, 116 mins
Glum Manchester postman Eric is given life coaching by a semi-imaginary Eric Cantona.

Five best theatre

CARRIE'S WAR
Apollo, W1. Until 12 September (020 7432 4220)
Emma Reeves's affectionate adaptation of Nina Bawden's novel — perfect family-friendly entertainment.
DERREN BROWN: ENIGMA
Adelphi, W1. Until 18 July (0844 579 0090)
Psychological illusionist never fails to entertain with his mind games.
ARCADIA
Duke of York's, WC2. Until
12 September (020 7432 4220)
A feast of ideas in a toothsome revival of Tom Stoppard's classic.
SISTER ACT
Palladium, W1. Booking to
13 February, 2010 (020 7494 5020)
The tale of singing nuns on the run achieves unstoppable momentum.
A DOLL'S HOUSE
Donmar Warehouse, WC2. Until
18 July (0871 297 5454)
An affecting performance from Gillian Anderson carries this Ibsen update.

 

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