NEW SEASON at Trinity Laban + Blackheath Halls

As the world of culture begins tentatively to open up again, Trinity Laban has announced a packed programme of performances to suit every taste this autumn.

The conservatoire’s weekly free lunchtime concerts resume at St Alfege’s on 16 September and at the chapel of the Old Royal Naval College on the 28th.

The London International Screen Dance Festival returns to Laban Theatre from 23-25 September, showcasing 26 films from five continents, including four world and 11 British premieres, as well as hosting talks and Q&A sessions and announcing a best film award.

Orchestral highlights at Blackheath Halls in October include Side by Side with the Aurora Orchestra on the 7th, Symphonic Winds & Sinfonia Strings on the 15th showcasing a new work by TL student Nneka Cummins and - on the 28th - Trinity Laban Symphony Orchestra featuring prize-winning cellist Talia Erdal.

From the 25th-27th you can revel in sonic experimentation at the Rude Health Composition Festival which is being staged at TL’s King Charles Court campus.

And the conservatoire’s Black Culture 365 series continues with a star-studded mixed bill on 29 October and a student-led lunchtime concert at St Alfege’s on 25 November.

Trinity Laban’s first popular music students get the chance to shine in Life Is A Song Worth Singing on 5 November in the intimate Hearn Recital Room at Blackheath Halls.

And in the season finale at the Great Hall on the 26th Trinity Laban Brass Ensemble are joined by acclaimed trumpeter, conductor and TL alum Mike Lovatt to pay tribute to US composer Billy May as well as play a unique version of Bizet’s Carmen Suite. Full details at trinitylaban.ac.uk/whats-on/

Meanwhile, Blackheath Halls Opera makes a welcome return to live performance with John Blow’s Venus And Adonis at the end of September.

The venue has become a firm favourite with artists and audiences on the comedy circuit and top stand-ups appearing in October include Suzi Ruffell (16), Ed Byrne (20), Gary Delaney (29) and Russell Kane (30). The laughs continue in November with Jack Dee (3), Ivo Graham (19), Stephen K Amos (20) and Mark Watson (27)

And with Christmas firmly in sight, the ever-popular Nutcracker will be playing twice a day for festive-feeling families on 11 and 12 December.

Other highlights include folk legend Kathryn Tickell on 17 October, Killing The Angel - a drama about Virginia Woolf - on 24 October, kids shows Goldilocks & The Three Bears (30 October) and Beastly Belle (20 November), a talk on Buckingham Palace masterpieces by art lecturer Anne Haworth on 17 November and the always-fascinating musical quintet Hermes Experiment on the 14th. Details at https://www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/