Unmissable events
Exhibition
October 5–November 1 ‘The Journey: Nick Archer’ (right), Long & Ryle, John Islip Street, London SW1. These new forest paintings by the East Sussex artist are like scenes from ‘a dark fairy tale’, using rich colour and gold foil (020–7834 1434; www. longandryle.com)
Until November 25 ‘A Printmaker’s Journey’, St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington, Hampshire. Prints by Angie Lewin depicting the north Norfolk coast and Scottish Highlands are accompanied by works from 25 other artists, including Ravilious, Bawden and Sutherland (01590 676969; www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk)
Competition
October 7 World Porridge Making Championship (right), Carrbridge, Scottish Highlands. Watch competitors from around the world compete to become World Porridge Making Champion and lift the Golden Spurtle. Pipe-band procession 10.15am, competition 10.30am– 4pm. Free entry, includes porridge and whisky tasting (www. goldenspurtle.com)
Theatre
Until March 11, 2018 Witness for the Prosecution (right), County Hall, South Bank, London SE1. Agatha Christie’s tale of justice, passion and betrayal is brought to life in a spectacular courtroom setting. Tickets from £10 (www.witnesscountyhall.com)
Until October 31 Hammer House of Horror Live, Hoxton Hall, Hoxton Street, London N1. An ‘immersive promenade theatrical performance’ from the film company behind Dracula and The Woman in Black, based on an original script and set in this listed Victorian music hall. Gates open at 7.30pm for 8pm start, tickets from £48.50 (http://hammerhouseofhorror.com; 020–7684 0060)
Festival
October 5–8 1,000 Mouths, Nancarrow Farm, Truro, Cornwall. Four nights of feasts, with 1,000 guests fed from a single bullock reared on the farm, in aid of Action Against Hunger. Farm tours from 5pm, followed by cocktails and canapés, then a three-course menu. Tickets from £40pp (01872 540343; www.nancarrowfarm.co.uk)
October 5–8 The Althorp Literary Festival, Northampton, Northamptonshire. This year’s line-up includes Clare Balding, the Rev Richard Coles and Johnny Ball, plus a new Children’s Literary Festival for children aged 8–12 on October 7–8. Visit website for full schedule and prices (01604 770107; http://spencerofalthorp.com)
Book now
October 19 In Conversation: Victorian Celebrities: G. F. Watts’ Hall of Fame, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2. Writer A. N. Wilson, art historian Richard Ormond and curator of Victorian art at Tate Britain Alison Smith discuss the artist’s career as a portraitist 200 years after his birth. 7pm, tickets £8 (020–7306 0055; www.npg. org.uk)