Entertainment Guide: Spider-Man, Ariana Grande, Ted Lasso, and More
From August 1-9, 2026, The Guardian's entertainment guide highlights a range of events. In film, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' features the character Tombstone (Marvin Jones III), while Imran Perretta's 'Ish' secures a prize at Venice critics week. The documentary 'Wham! 10 Days in China' revisits the band's 1985 tour. The BFI's exhibition 'No Strings Attached: Puppets on Film' continues until August 31. Music events include Summer Walker at The O2 (August 1-2) and the Brecon Jazz Festival (August 6-9). The Aurora Orchestra presents Mahler's First Symphony (August 1-2). Art shows feature Chardchakaj Waikawee's work until September 19 and Gwen John's retrospective (August 1-January 4). Stage productions include 'The Silence of the Lambs' (August 1-15) and 'Cats' until September 19. Streaming options include 'Ted Lasso' (August 5) and 'Alley Cats' (August 7). New games 'Big Walk' and 'Beast of Reincarnation' launch on August 4, along with Ariana Grande's album 'Petal'.
Key facts
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day features Marvin Jones III as Tombstone.
- Imran Perretta's film 'Ish' won a prize at Venice's critics week.
- Wham! were the first western band to play communist China in 1985.
- BFI's puppets-on-film season runs until August 31.
- Summer Walker performs at The O2 London on August 1-2.
- Brecon Jazz Festival runs August 6-9 with Courtney Pine.
- Aurora Orchestra performs Mahler's First Symphony from memory on August 1-2.
- Ariana Grande's eighth album 'Petal' is out now.
Entities
Artists
- Marvin Jones III
- Imran Perretta
- Farhan Hasnat
- Yahya Kitana
- Summer Walker
- Courtney Pine
- Tomos Williams
- Liane Carroll
- Nicholas Collon
- Chardchakaj Waikawee
- Gwen John
- Jasmir Creed
- Roo Dhissou
- Tamla Pearce
- Gina Gionfriddo
- John Partridge
- Drew McOnie
- Freddie Meredith
- Carlos Acosta
- Jason Sudeikis
- Ricky Gervais
- Tom Basden
- Diane Morgan
- Kerry Godliman
- Tony Way
- David Earl
- Bret Easton Ellis
- Homer Gere
- Kaia Gerber
- Ryan Murphy
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw
- Jonny Lee Miller
- Karla Crome
- Ariana Grande
- Shaboozey
- Lucia Fairfull
- Lauren Mayberry
- Abigail Morris
- William Blake
Institutions
- BFI Southbank
- BFI Imax
- The O2
- Brecon Jazz Festival
- Boardmasters
- Royal Albert Hall
- Aurora Orchestra
- Graces Mews
- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
- The Whitworth
- Wolverhampton Arts Centre
- Curve theatre
- Regent's Park Open Air theatre
- Pleasance Courtyard
- Royal Opera House
- Apple TV
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Sky Atlantic
- BBC
- PBS America
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Luton
- Venice
- Italy
- China
- Atlanta
- Brecon
- Wales
- Newquay
- Cornwall
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Edinburgh
- Scotland
- Manchester
- Wolverhampton
- Leicester
- Regent's Park
- Kansas
- Jamaica
- Aleppo
- Syria