The Week’s guide to what’s worth seeing and reading

Showing now

Consent at the National Theatre, London SE1 (020-7452 3000). Ben Chaplin stars in Nina Raine’s “hideously enjoyable” new tragicomedy about highly intelligent but ultimately heartless lawyers (Sunday Times). Ends 17 May.

Disobedient Bodies at The Hepworth Wakefield (01924-247360). This intriguing look at the relationship between fashion and modernist sculpture consists of work by an “amazing” array of talents, from Henry Moore to Helmut Lang (Vanity Fair). Ends 18 June.

Giacomo Balla: Designing the Future at the Estorick Collection, London N1 (020-7704 9522). Devoted to one of the enfants terribles of Italian futurism, this “eye-opening” exhibition includes paintings, furniture and fashion designs (Daily Telegraph). Ends 25 June.

Book now

In his one-man show Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others & You, Sir Ian Mckellen will be talking about his 50-year career, and reprising some of his best-loved roles, from Gandalf to Richard III. 3-9 July, Park Theatre, London N4 (020-7870 6876). Tickets are currently sold out but more are due to be released on 15 May.

Just out in paperback

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry (Serpent’s Tail £8.99). Perry’s second novel is the story of a 19th century Essex village haunted by a fabled flying serpent. From this premise, Perry spins a gothic fable of “exquisite Victoriana” (Daily Telegraph).