It can feel like there is little to look forward to at the beginning of a new year but there’s a feast of entertainment coming your way at the start of 2016…

FILM

 

News Shopper:

Joy, January 1

After Oscars glory with his last two features, none other than Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, director David O Russell will be gunning for success again with his story of a struggling single mum-of-three, played by Jennifer Lawrence. It also stars Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro.

The Hateful Eight, January 8

Quentin Tarantino’s mystery thriller about bounty hunters finding shelter in a blizzard is likely to be yet another tour de force and features a cast bursting with talent, including Channing Tatum, Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson, Michael Madsen and Tim Roth.

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Creed, January 15

Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky movies get some new life as Michael B Jordan plays Rocky’s old foe turned buddy Apollo Creed’s son who wants to be a champ like his daddy, with Rocky becoming his trainer. Directed by Jordan’s Fruitvale Junction helmsman, Ryan Coogler, it’s even being whispered about for a chance at the Oscars.

The Big Short, January 22

Anchorman director Adam McKay enlists a mega cast including Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell and New Cross’ Rafe Spall for a comedy drama that tells the story of four outsiders working finance who predicted the crash in the mid-2000s and decided to take on the big banks for their greed.

News Shopper:

The Revenant, January 15

Last year’s best director Oscar winner Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Birdman) went to extreme lengths to capture the wild atmosphere which is the setting of the story of frontiersman Hugh Glass, who seeks retribution after he is left for dead following a bear attack. Inarritu may be in with a shout for another statuette while the consensus is this could be star Leonardo DiCaprio’s year too. Also stars Tom Hardy and Domhnall Gleeson.

Deadpool, February 4

Marvel comic’s foul-mouthed superhero and X Men associate is ready to get an eagerly anticipated, edgy movie of his own, starring Ryan Reynolds.

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Dad’s Army, February 5

Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler. The classic sitcom about the Second World War Home Guard gets a big screen reboot with a cast including Toby Jones and local actors Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon and The Inbetweeners’ Blake Harrison.

Zoolander 2, February 12

Fifteen years after the release of the original, Ben Stiller’s dim model Derek Zoolander is back to prove that there really isn’t more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking.

Hail Caesar, February 26

The Coen brothers’ comedy about a Hollywood fixer working to keep a studio’s film in line on a Roman-themed movie stars Scarlett Johansson, George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Dolph Lundgren, Josh Brolin, Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes.

News Shopper:

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, March 25

Director Scott Snyder will attempt to transform DC’s comic’s into a cinematic universe like Marvels as its two biggest titans – with Man of Steel’s Henry Cavill reprising his Clark Kent/Superman role and Ben Affleck donning the Batsuit - go head-to-head. As if that’s not enough, expect Wonderwoman, Aquaman and more.

 

MUSIC

 

Mystery Jets at Banquet Records, Kingston, and New Slang at Kingston Hippodrome on January 13. Go to banquetrecords.com

News Shopper:

The Corrs at The O2, Greenwich, on January 23. Go to axs.com

The Libertines at The O2, Greenwich, on January 30. Go to axs.com

Andrew McCormack at Omnibus, Clapham, on January 24. Go to omnibus-clapham.org

Motorhead at Hammersmith Apollo on January 29 and 30. Go to eventimapollo.com

Bloc Party at The Hippodrome, Kingston, on January 31. Go to banquetrecords.com

News Shopper: Jason Derulo

Jason Derulo at The O2, Greenwich, on February 5. Go to axs.com

Jess Glynne at Brixton Academy, from February 20 to 21. Go to academymusicgroup.com

Adele at The O2, Greenwich, on March 15 to April 5. Go to axs.com

 

COMEDY

 

News Shopper: Tickets for Billy Connolly and Julian Clary at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre go on sale this Friday

Billy Connolly at Hammersmith Apollo from January 7 to February 6. Go to eventimapollo.com

Romesh Ranganathan at Happy Mondays at the Amersham Arms, New Cross on January 11. Go to happymondayscomedy.com

Kevin Hart at The O2, Greenwich, from January 17 to 24. Go to axs.com

News Shopper: Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan at Epsom Playhouse on January 21. Go to epsomplayhouse.co.uk

Dave Gorman Gets Straight to the Point at Fairfield Halls, Croydon on January 30. Go www.fairfield.co.uk

Ross Noble warm up at Back Door @ The Secombe, Sutton, on February 2. Go to suttontheatres.co.uk

Bridget Christie at Happy Mondays at the Amersham Arms, New Cross, on February 8. Go to happymondayscomedy.com

Rob Beckett: Mouth of the South at The Secombe, Sutton, on February 13. Go to suttontheatres.co.uk

Sean Lock: Keep It Light at Rose Theatre, Kingston on February 22. Go to rosetheatrekingston.org

Stewart Francis: Pun Gent at The Woodville, Gravesend, on February 23. Go to Woodville.co.uk

News Shopper: Lee Nelson - Suited & Booted

Lee Nelson: Suited and Booted at Dartford Orchard Theatre on February 24 and The Secombe, Sutton,  on February 25. Go to orchardtheatre.co.uk or suttontheatres.co.uk

Brian Conley: Alive and Dangerous at Richmond Theatre on February 29. Go to atgtickets.com/richmond

 

THEATRE 

 

News Shopper:

Zippos presents Cirque Berserk at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from January 13 to 17

Straight from Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland comes Zippos’ contemporary show featuring adrenaline-fuelled stunt action and acrobats, dancers, aerialists and the award-winning clown, Tweedy. Tickets cost from £10. Go to orchardtheatre.co.uk

News Shopper:

Annie at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from January 25 to 30

Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph stars as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan in the favourite musical about an orphan whose life changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas with a billionaire. Features songs such as Easy Street, Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow. Tickets cost from £22. Go to orchardtheatre.co.uk

News Shopper:

Peter James’ The Perfect Murder at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, from February 8 to 13

The bestselling crime writer’s Roy Grace novel is brought to life starring Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace, perhaps better known to audiences as Alfie and Kat from EastEnders. Tickets cost from £16.90. Go to atgtickets.com/Bromley

News Shopper: Don't miss the Gruffalo’s Child at the 'Stute

The Gruffalo’s Child at Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon, from January 29 to 31 and Rose Theatre, Kingston, from February 16 to 21

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s hugely successful book The Gruffalo was a smash hit on the stage and here comes its sequel. Suitable for ages three and up. Go to www.fairfield.co.uk or rosetheatrekingston.org

News Shopper:

Clickbait at Theatre 503, above The Latchmere pub, Battersea from January 19 to February 13

Milly Thomas’ edgy, darkly comic play explore what happens when a woman unwittingly becomes and amateur porn star. Tickets cost £15 or £12 concessions (pay what you can on Sundays). Go to theatre503.com

News Shopper:

Photo by Johan Persson

Lord of the Flies at Richmond Theatre from January 19 to 23 and The Churchill Theatre, Bromley, from March 15 to 19

William Golding’s 20th century classic about schoolboys stranded on a desert island after a plane crash comes back to the stage. Go to atgtickets.com

News Shopper: Cinema: SHREK FOREVER AFTER 3D (PG)

Shrek the Musical at New Wimbledon Theatre from January 20 to 31

Based on Dreamworks’ award-winning films, Shrek has been a hit on the West End and now he’s coming to Wimbledon. Join the ogre and Donkey as they seek to rescue Prince Fiona. Packed with songs. Recommended for ages five and up. Go to atgtickets.com/Wimbledon

News Shopper:

Toast at Rose Theatre, Kingston, from February 4 to 13

Olivier Award winner Matthew Kelly and Alan Partridge star Simon Grenall star in the story of a group of bakers facing a crisis at the factory. It is written by Richard Bean, who wrote the hit One Man, Two Guvnors. Tickets cost from £8. Go to rosetheatrekingston.org