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A different kind of music festival, Cate Blanchett’s National Theatre debut and the return of Catastrophe will banish your January blues...

TV

CATASTROPHE

We left Rob Delaney’s character Rob bloodied after crashing his car while drunk at the end of season three, and now we, not to mention his wife, Sharon (played by Sharon Horgan), await his fate. Carrie Fisher, who played Rob’s mother, will be dearly missed in series four, but Julie Hesmondhalgh and Chris Noth join the cast as guests as we canter through the couple’s ups and downs. According to Horgan, this season focuses on the reality of sex in long-term relationships. Airs this month on Channel 4

THEATRE

WHEN WE HAVE SUFFICIENTLY TORTURED EACH OTHER, NATIONAL THEATRE, LONDON Six characters enact a dangerous game of sexual domination and resistance in this new play. Tantalisingly, the cast includes Hollywood royalty in Cate Blanchett, who makes her National Theatre debut, and Stephen Dillane, of The Crown and Game Of Thrones fame. Expect discomfort, desire, and a damn good night out. From 16th January-2nd March; national theatre.org.uk

FESTIVAL

SOUNDSTATE, SOUTHBANK CENTRE, LONDON This being the new year – and not summer – it’s not that kind of festival, but an altogether gentler, more jovial affair. More than 50 global composers hailing from Bali to Germany will showcase their music, including London’s Philharmonic Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and American flautist Claire Chase. A special concert will also honour awardwinning British composer Rebecca Saunders. From 16th-20th January; southbankcentre.co.uk

FILM

COLETTE

It’s a bumper month for films as they vie to impress in time for the Oscars, but spare a space for Colette. Keira Knightley plays the eponymous character, coerced into writing novels under the name of her husband (played by Dominic West). Upon their success, she seeks to reclaim her talents. If all this sounds a little like Glenn Close’s The Wife, you’d be right, but there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a deserving woman finally get justice. In cinemas nationwide from 11th January