Advertisement Daughters of CharityICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Art, Theatre, Music & Shows

Plays, music, art exhibitions and profiles of artists & musicians.


New musical tells story of Lourdes

VISION is a modern musical set in a bar in central Lourdes. When two newbies arrive in town they have no idea what to expect. The barman pours them a drink. He gathers the regular crowd. As the froth settles on their beers, they are whisked back to Bernadette's visions and the events of 1858 that rocked the town of Lourdes and the world beyond. The show is being performed in London at the church ... Read More


Exhibition: The Edwardians - Age of Elegance

Dagmar Necklace with Neo Byzantine cross . Royal Collection Trust

The Edwardian age was an age of elegance, glamour and opulence, embracing new artistic movements . The future Edward VII's marriage to the Danish Princess Alexandra heralded a more approachable monarchy who were leaders in style and fashion. The King's Gallery in Buckingham Palace, presents over 300 stunning works collected by them and their heirs George V and Queen Mary. A dynastic family portra... Read More


Sir James MacMillan composes new work for Grenfell Tower anniversary

All Saints Schola Cantorum

A new choral work by Sir James MacMillan will be premiered at Westminster Cathedral on 13 June 2025 at 2pm, as part of a special Memorial Mass marking the eighth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Commissioned by All Saints Catholic College in Ladbroke Grove-an inner-city London school located in the shadow of Grenfell Tower-the communion motet is a poignant setting of 'In Paradisum' from ... Read More


Re-opening of Sainsbury Wing at National Gallery

The Virgin and Child with Saints Louis and Margaret and Two Angels, Netherlandish Altarpiece circa 1510. Artist Unknown. Image: National Gallery.

Following refurbishment over three years, The Sainsbury Wing has been re-opened by their Majesties the King and Queen. It is now the main entrance to the National Gallery. Large clear windows allow an infusion of light into the spacious foyer and the entrance is more imposing, with a hint of classical pillars on the façade facing Canada House. An impressive high tech screen in the foyer projects... Read More


London: Palestinian Arts Festival

A groundbreaking line-up of Palestinian theatre, comedy and dance from PalArt Collective has landed at Theatro Technis in Camden as part of Shubbak Festival 2025 - the UK's largest celebration of contemporary Arab culture. Curated by PalArt Collective and hosted at Theatro Technis, this powerful week-long season (26 May - 2 June) brings voices from Gaza, Jenin and the diaspora to the London stage.... Read More


Exhibition: Jose Maria Velasco - A View of Mexico

José María Velasco, The Valley of Mexico from the Hill of Santa Isabel (1877), Museo Nacional de Arte, INBAL, Mexico City.  Image: Museo Nacional de Arte, Mexico City © Reproduction authorised by the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura

The first major UK exhibition of celebrated 19th century Mexican artist José María Velasco is a revelation at the National Gallery. It coincides with the 200th anniversary of a diplomatic accord between Mexico and the UK. During his lifetime Velasco exhibited in Europe and America, winning prizes for his art, but is no longer well known outside his native Mexico. The artist's stunning radiant l... Read More


Drama: The Passover Investigation

A Gripping Radio Drama from Radio Maria. Step back in time to 35 AD. The province of Judaea is restless. The execution of a man called "Christus" still haunts Jerusalem. Rumours swirl about an empty tomb. Was Pontius Pilate's trial just? Did his followers steal his body? Or is there another truth? Join Radio Maria for a thrilling in-person live broadcast of The Passover Investigation-A Play for V... Read More


Turner celebrated at Farm Street Church

l-r: Will Palin, Tim Wright, artist Adam Dant, Janine Saba, from the Mayfairer,  Myra Hughes,  Porterhouse owner and Fr Dominic Robinson SJ

An historic Jesuit church was the setting for a celebration of one of Britain's most unique artists this week. Joseph Mallory William Turner's 250th birthday was celebrated on April 23 - St George's Day - at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Farm Street. The special event was hosted by The Mayfarer, The Covent Gardener, and The Porterhouse Bar, the location of Turner's birth in Maiden Lan... Read More


Passion of Jesus in Trafalgar Square

Jesus, played by Peter Bergin in Trafalgar Square

Around 20,000 people gathered in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday for two epic performances of the Passion of Jesus, performed by the Wintershall Theatre, with a cast of more 100 actors in stunning period costumes, with horses, donkeys and doves. (Experienced handlers accompanied all the animals to ensure their safety) The performance was complemented by a moving musical score, bringing an added la... Read More


Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300-1350

Duccio -The Raising of Lazurus 1308-11 Tempera on poplar, transferred to cork © Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas

The National Gallery presents another blockbuster exhibition in celebration of its 200th anniversary exploring the vibrant new way of painting that developed in early 14th century Siena. The rigidity of Byzantine iconography becomes more flexible incorporating emotion, drama, narrative and movement in glorious gold and jewelled colours . Focusing on Duccio, Simone Martini and the brothers Pietro a... Read More


London: Requiem for those who had none

From the 14th to 19th centuries, thousands of people all over Europe were sentenced to death for being in queer relationships. A Requiem For Those Who Had None, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, Mayfair, this Saturday at 7.30pm, will commemorate their lives, and help to ensure they are not forgotten. The Fourth Choir dedicates this concert to telling their stories. The Four... Read More


New exhibition in York reveals Bar Convent's historic treasures

Dr Hannah Thomas with the beautiful Arma Christi prayer scroll

A brand new exhibition at York's Bar Convent Heritage Centre, located just outside the City Walls at Micklegate Bar, is set to open on Saturday 5 April 2025 including a world premiere - the first ever display of the Bar Convent Arma Christi, a medieval illuminated prayer scroll discovered in the institution's archives. The Bar Convent Arma Christi, fully unfurled in a dedicated glass case, is one ... Read More


London: Workshop with Raised Voices - singing for peace

Singing is a great way to feel solidarity with like-minded individuals, and also a great way to get messages across to others who might be unaware of the issues that you care about. If you go to marches or other demonstrations, you might have seen groups singing to the protestors - why not join in! A singing workshop with Raised Voices - with songs on the theme of peace - will take place this Thu... Read More


We Will Overcome - Ooberfuse joins Filipino children to say NO to exploitation, trafficking and child abuse

Cherrie and Hal from Ooberfuse with Fr Shay Cullen and children at PREDA

When the Trump administration killed USAID it stopped vital funding to rescue, protect, heal and empower vulnerable children abused by their families, paedophiles and US servicemen. In response, British Filipino band Ooberfuse have been working directly in Olongapo, Philippines with the People's Recovery, Empowerment and Development Assistance Foundation (PREDA) and its founder Nobel peace prize n... Read More

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon