Macbeth

Pre-recorded from RSC, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Returning home from battle, the victorious Macbeth meets three witches on the heath. Driven by their disturbing prophecies, he sets out on the path to murder. This contemporary production of Shakespeare’s darkest psychological thriller marks both Christopher Eccleston’s RSC debut and the return of Niamh Cusack to the Company.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Monday, April 16, 7pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Guesthouse

A grandmother, mother and a daughter have to set aside differences as they decide the fate of their family-run guesthouse in Clacton. A new play written by local Essex writer Nicola Werenowska and directed by Tony Casement.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Tuesday, April 17, 8pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

West Side Story

Chelmsford Young Generation is celebrating 50 Years and is doing it in style with one of musical theatre’s greatest creations. “West Side Story” first opened in 1957, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. It was an immediate ‘hit’ and has remained a firm favourite with audiences ever since.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Tuesday, April 17, to Saturday, April 21, various times. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Power

A series of short plays written by Michelle Payne. A group of females determined to crash through the glass ceiling and locate where the system is failing people. There’s a calling for the working classes and new theatre for our beloved Netflix generation and this is our response.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Wednesday, April 18, 8pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

The Game of Love and Chai

Actor Nigel Planer (The Young Ones, Filthy Rich and Catflap) brilliantly updates Marivaux’s classic French farce to a modern Asian family in England, employing Bollywood song and dance to delicious effect as class and passion clash when Rani meets Raj.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Thursday, April 19, to Saturday, April 21, various times. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

The Big Things

Grace has always felt different. Some things come harder for her and she doesn’t know why. When she and Malcolm decide to have a baby, her well-ordered life begins to spiral out of her control. The Big Things is a tragi-comic play about love, parenthood, and defining and defying normal. Shortlisted and developed by the BBC.

The Barons Court Theatre, 28A Comeragh Road, W14 9HR, Monday, April 16, to Saturday, May 5, various times. Details: 020 8932 4747

Rasheeda Speaking

In one of Chicago’s wealthiest hospitals, a white doctor tries to remove a black receptionist by enlisting her colleague as a spy. The women’s friendship quickly deteriorates and a chilling power struggle ensues. With the office becoming a battleground of passive aggression and paranoia, things spin wildly out of control. Joel Drake Johnson’s incendiary new play examines underlying racism in the workplace, white guilt and the manipulation of women by men in power. Stars Tanya Moodie and Elizabeth Berrington.

Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall, SW1A 2DY, Wednesday, April 18, to Saturday, May 12, various times. Details: atgtickets.com/shows

The Significant Other Festival

It's April 1988 and change is coming. The UK is no longer an industrial nation and Jack knows it. He built his component manufacturing firm up from nothing but is there a place for men like him anymore? On the day of his retirement party, what will happen to him, the town, the nation? Fringe Innovators The Pensive Federation return to The Vaults with their annual new writing event, The Significant Other Festival. Ten new 10 minute plays will be created in just 10 days woven together with the themes of community, relationships and connections exploring the phrase 'significant other'. In their most ambitious project, the unique space of the Vaults opens out onto the factory floor of 'Reseal9, Inc' in an immersive piece like no other. The audience are visitors to the factory and watch Jack's last day unfold.

The Vaults Theatre, Launcelot Street, SE1 7AD, Tuesday, April 17, to Saturday, April 21. Details: 020 7401 9603 thevaults.london

East End Film Festival

An annual multi-platform festival held in London, the EEFF presents a rich and diverse programme of international premieres, industry masterclasses, free pop-up screenings and immersive live events. The EEFF’s mission is to discover, support, and exhibit pioneering work by global and local independent filmmakers, and to introduce viewers to innovative and challenging cinematic experiences.

Various venues in London, Wednesday, April 11, to Sunday, April 29. Details: eastendfilmfestival.com

Vincent Van Gogh

Perhaps more than any other artist, Van Gogh’s life has long captured the imagination of storytellers. Delving deep into his fascinating and sometimes deeply troubled world comes this definitive, award-winning documentary directed by David Bickerstaff. Showcasing Van Gogh’s iconic works like never before and featuring exclusive interviews with the curatorial team at the Van Gogh Museum.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Wednesday, April 18, 8pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Mosaic Craft Exhibition

A selection of mosaic pieces showing different styles and materials.

Loughton Arts Centre, 187b High Road, Loughton, IG10 4LF, Saturday, April 14, to Friday, April 27, 10am to 4pm. Details: 07532 053194

Frankenstein: The First 200 Years

Christopher Frayling traces the journey of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein from limited edition literature to the bloodstream of contemporary culture. In an illustrated lecture, the cultural historian discusses the trajectory of the novel, and its depiction in magazines, on playbills, posters, advertising, packaging, and in comics and graphic novels.

The British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB, Tuesday, April 17, 7pm. Details: 01937 546546 bl.uk

The Creative Craft Show

ICHF Events returns to the ExCeL with The Creative Craft Show – an essential event in any crafter’s calendar. Joined by some of the best crafting exhibitors in the UK, renowned experts and a huge stock of fantastic supplies, the show is the perfect place for those with a flair for fabric, a love of craft or a passion for stitching and sewing. Visitors to the show will be able to make a contribution towards a giant 13ft knitted commemorative poppy to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. Anyone with a love of knitting and crochet can pick up their needles and wool and add a square to the feature in association with charity and knitting fanatics, Grans on the Make.

ExCeL, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL, Thursday, April 19, to Saturday, April 21, 10am to 4.30pm. Details: 01425 277988 ichfevents.co.uk