Friday Arts Diary

Our cultural picks for the week ahead.

Art

National Gallery, London WC2, Leonardo Da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan until 5 December

This long-awaited exhibition is the most complete display of Leonardo’s rare surviving paintings and drawings ever held. It focuses on Da Vinci’s commitment to represent the human form. The exciting exhibition includes a near-contemporary, full-scale copy of The Last Supper, on loan from the Royal Academy.

Comedy

The O2, London SE1, Allah Made Me Funny 11 November

Due to public demand after a sold out show at HMV Hammersmith Apollo in 2009, Allah Made Me Funny returns for the “World Domination Tour” this November. The show uses stand up comedy to challenge social prejudices on religion. Special guests will make an appearance too.

Music

Koko, London NW1, Guillemots 17 November

The British indie band, formed in November 2004 by Fyfe Dangerfield, are making Camden the last stop of their UK tour, with tickets priced at £17.50 each. The tour follows the critically acclaimed third album Walk the River of April 2011.

Theatre

National Theatre, London SE1, Collaborators until 31 March 2012

The screenwriter John Hodge, best known for Trainspotting, makes his theatre debut. Set in Moscow in 1938, the play imagines what happened when Bulgakov was forcibly commissioned to write a play to celebrate Stalin’s 60th birthday. Inspired by historical events, the play is often surreal and enters the imagination of the writer as he loses himself in a hilarious and disturbing relationship with Stalin. Alex Jennings plays Bulgakov and Simon Russell Beale plays Stalin.

Talks

Frontline Club, London W2, Reflections: Alex Crawford 17 November

A Sky News Special Correspondent since 1989, Alex Crawford was the first journalist to make it into Tripoli after it fell to rebel forces. After she travelled with rebel forces, her coverage in Libya won her widespread acclaim. Crawford will discuss her fascinating career as a foreign correspondent with the former BBC executive Vin Ray.