Fashion Philip Treacy’s hats are not known for their restraint. The Design Museum in London has turned this to advantage by exhibiting 20 of the most famous ones designed for his mentor, Isabella Blow. When Philip met Isabella includes the Ship, a replica of a fully rigged 18th-century French ship made from miniature buttons, and Gilbert and George, a concoction of pink and green lacquered ostrich feathers. Until October 27. Information: 020 7940 8790.

African art The Commonwealth Games is coming to Manchester - and Rochdale is taking notice. Action and Vision: painting and sculpture in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda from 1980 at Touchstones gallery, part of Cultureshock 2002, designed to accompany the games, is a celebration of Rochdale’s involvement with the Kenyan team. Two Kenyan artists, Omega Ludenyi and Chain Muhandi, will lead a programme of events and workshops. Information: 01706 864986.

Theatre Lobby Hero, by Kenneth Lonergan, set in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment block, catches the confusion of young security guard Jeff trying to do the right thing by his friend and society. He is set a moral dilemma when his supervisor confides that he has invented an alibi for his brother who is accused of murder. The New Ambassadors, London. Tickets: 020 7369 1761. Until August 17.

* Bryony Lavery’s Frozen, at the National Theatre’s Cottesloe, examines the effect of a child murder on a mother, the guilty paedophile and an academic studying serial killers. A serious and engrossing play with a searing performance from Anita Dobson as the mother. Tickets: 020 7452 3000.

* The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Pericles at the Roundhouse in north London (then on to Stratford) delights the senses with incense, exotic music, sinuous dancing and clever storytelling for those not familiar with the play. Directed by Adrian Noble, this is special-treat Shakespeare. Tickets: 01789 403403.

Proms Oliver Knussen’s settings of Maurice Sendak’s tales for children, Where the Wild Things Are and Higglety, Pigglety, Pop!, will be performed in a double bill on July 26, preceded by a showing of A Wild Rumpus, a film showcasing the work - video, puppetry, music, dance and drama - inspired by the story of Max, king of the wild things. Tickets: 020 7589 8212; www.bbc.co.ukproms.

Owls Owls in paintings, ceramic owls, owls on the wing plus workshops and activities - find them at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent. Information: 01782 232323; www.stoke.gov.ukmuseums.

Dance For the next two weeks, young people will be preparing Podz, a piece about fashion, with dance groups the Cholmondeleys and the Featherstonehaughs, at the Brewery Shopping Centre, Romford, on July 26 and 27. Information: 020 8279 1052.