Arts agenda: January

The King’s Speech

Colin Firth is already an Oscar front-runner for his performance as a stuttering King George VI in Tom Hooper’s rousing movie.

• 8th

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Polar

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra provides a live soundtrack to a cinematic journey through the polar ice caps. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (0151 709 3789)

• 9th

ART

A masterpiece a month

To celebrate its 200th birthday, the UK’s oldest purpose-built gallery shows a magnificent painting a month from collections around the world. Dulwich Picture Gallery (020 8693 5254)

• 11th

DANCE

Giselle

Carlos Acosta and Marianela Nuñez are among the stars in the Royal Ballet’s production of the classic story of love and betrayal. Royal Opera House (020 7304 4000) until Feb 19

THEATRE

Twelfth Night

Rebecca Hall plays Viola, directed by her father Sir Peter Hall. National Theatre, London (020 7452 3000) until March 2

• 14th

FILM

The Green Hornet

Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz star in a hectic reimagining of the cult comic superhero. Directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind).

• 15th

DANCE

London International Mime Festival

A mixture of visual theatre, circus and dance take over the capital – all without a word. Assorted locations around London (www.mimefest.co.uk) until Jan 30

• 19th

EXHIBITIONS

Gabriel Orozco

The first major UK retrospective dedicated to the playful Mexican artist. Tate Modern (020 7887 8888) until April 11

THEATRE

The Comedy of Errors and Richard III

Propeller, Edward Hall’s all-male troupe, brings two new Shakespearean interpretations to the stage. Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (0114 249 6060) until Jan 29

• 22nd

ART

Modern British Sculpture.

This survey of British sculpture since 1900 includes Anthony Caro, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst and others. Royal Academy (0844 209 0051) until April 7

THEATRE

The Children’s Hour

Keira Knightley and Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss star in Lillian Hellman’s 1934 drama set in a girls’ boarding school Comedy Theatre (0844 871 7627) until April 2

• 24th

MUSIC

Bruno Mars, Doo-Wops and Hooligans

Debut album from the Hawaiian co‑writer of international hits for the likes of Cee Lo Green (Forget You) and Flo Rida (Right Round).

MUSIC

Adele, 21

Highly anticipated, Rick Rubin-produced second album from the Grammy-winning London songbird.

• 27th

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Gustavo Dudamel

The charismatic conductor leads the Los Angels Philharmonic in Bernstein and Beethoven. Barbican (020 7638 8891) until Jan 28

BOOKS

The Telegraph Hay Festival, Cartagena

Nobel Prize-winner Mario Vargas Llosa, Germaine Greer, Gary Shteyngart and Philip Glass are among the guests of the literary knees-up in this Colombian city on the Caribbean Sea. (01497 822 629) until Jan 30

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Infernal Dance

Finnish maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts two of Bartók’s most extraordinary works. Royal Festival Hall (0844 875 0073)

• 28th

FILM

Barney’s Version

Golden Globe-nominated Paul Giamatti plays a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown in Richard J Lewis’s charming adaptation of a 1997 novel by Canadian author Mordecai Richler.

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Maurizio Pollini

The celebrated pianist performs five recitals of pieces from Bach to Boulez. Royal Festival Hall (0844 875 0073) until May 25

THEATRE

Clybourne Park

Bruce Norris’s Royal Court hit starring Sophie Thompson transfers to the West End. Wyndham’s Theatre (020 7565 5000) until May 7

• 29th

ART

The Poetry of Drawing

The largest survey of Pre-Raphaelite drawings and watercolours ever staged, which will include key loans from both public and private lenders. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (0121 303 1966) until May 15

• 31st

OPERA

Lucrezia Borgia

English National Opera gives the premiere of Mike Figgis’s production of Donizetti’s opera, starring soprano Claire Rutter. London Coliseum (0871 911 0200) until March 3