CRITICS’ CHOICES

WHAT TO SEE THIS WEEK

Film It

Of all the nightmarish, evil images Stephen King can be credited with dreaming up, the childkilling clown Pennywise from his 1986 novel stands out. Andy Muschietti’s ramped up two-part adaptation (this is the first instalment) relocates the story to the late 1980s and boasts a gut-grabbing performance of skilled grotesquerie from Bill Skarsgård as the clown that stokes your dread of his next appearance. Petrifying. Robbie Collin 15 cert, 135 min

Comedy Micky Flanagan

The former Billingsgate Fish Market porter turned diamond comedy geezer is always laid-back but never lazy. One highlight among many in his new touring show is a luxuriantly foul-mouthed rant about an olive-studded pizza he once ordered in France. An embarrassment of riches and worth every penny. Dominic Cavendish Bournemouth International Centre, Tues, Wed; O2 Arena, London SE10, Thurs-Sat (mickyflanagan.com)

Theatre Follies

There’s razzmatazz aplenty in Dominic Cooke’s superlative revival of Sondheim’s poignant paean to old Broadway, starring Imelda Staunton and Janie Dee. We’re at the reunion of the former “Weissman” Follies chorus girls, hooking up at their old theatre on the eve of its demolition. Cue a haunting sense of the past colliding with the present. It’s absolutely unmissable. Dominic Cavendish National Theatre London SE1 (020 7452 3000), until Jan 3

Exhibitions Rachel Whiteread

A career retrospective for the Turner Award-winning artist, known for her architectural sculptures made from plaster, resin, concrete and metal, and for often choosing to sculpt the inside of an object rather than the whole. As well as familiar works there will be previously unseen pieces on display too. Mark Hudson Tate Britain, London SW1 (020 7887 8888), from Tues until Jan 21