HomebodyKabul, American playwright Tony Kushner’s new play at the Young Vic in London, deals with the ascendancy of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 1998. In the first section, a loquacious middle-aged, middle-class Englishwoman, brilliantly played by Kika Markham, delivers a wonderful monologue in which she reveals her own history and that of Afghanistan. After the “homebody” goes to Kabul, and is reported murdered, her husband and daughter follow her trail. Their selfish considerations outweigh any political interest, but there are insights into the terrors of everyday life in Kabul, especially for women.
The Young Vic is supporting the TES Children Helping Children campaign to assist the reintroduction of a viable education system in Afghanistan. For details about how to help see this week’s TES Teacher magazine, page 19 Tickets: 020 7633 0133.
Madonna’s London stage debut in Up for Grabs will provide fuel for the celebrity versus talent debate. The small impact made by the larger-than-life pop princess contrasts with the acting around her in a superficial play on a worthwhile subject - art as the currency of the rich. Wyndhams Theatre: 020 7369 1795.
Exhibition
It is 400 years since a party of Englishmen stayed behind in the port of Bantam, Java, as two ships laden with pepper sailed for home. This was the first overseas base of the two-year-old East India Company, and its establishment would lay the foundations of the British Empire in Asia. At the British Library, Trading Places: the East India Company and Asia examines the impact of the East on Britain and vice versa. Details of workshops: 020 7412 7332.
Contemporary art
At the Liverpool Tate, well-known artists such as Chris Ofili, Gillian Wearing and Wolfgang Tillmans find inspiration in music. Remix: contemporary art and pop makes connections between visual art, music, film and music videos. Club culture, celebrity glamour, DJs and pop groups are all here. Until August. Tickets: 0151 702 7400. Information: www.tate.org.ukliverpool .