October 2023's must-sees

Screen legend Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James (nominated last year for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Pamela Anderson) pair up in Lyonesse, a new comedy about a reclusive star (Scott Thomas) who decides to stage a comeback after three decades away, with the help of a young film executive (James). Written by award-winning playwright Penelope Skinner, it opens on 17 October for a limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre, and closes on 23 December.

Opening on 5 October, Tate Modern hosts a much-delayed, much-anticipated exhibition devoted to the influential Canadian-born painter Philip Guston. One of the most talented artists of his generation, Guston moved from politically inspired murals to Abstract Expressionism, but today his reputation mainly rests on the darkly comic, cartoonish paintings he made in his later years, which helped usher in the rebirth of figurative art. The first major show of Guston's work in 20 years, it runs to 25 February 2024.

Enjoy some sultry Spanish drama and world-class dancing at the Royal Ballet this month in Don Quixote, one of the most virtuosic of the great 19th-century ballets. Originally created for the Bolshoi by Marius Petipa with a tuneful score by Ludwig Minkus, Don Quixote quickly became a classic of the repertoire. This revived production by Carlos Acosta features Royal Ballet stars Marianela Nuñez and Natalia Osipova (check dates for cast list), and runs from 30 September to 17 November.

American football returns to London this month with three NFL International Series fixtures. On 1 October at Wembley Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons play the Jacksonville Jaguars, followed by two fixtures at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: on 8 October, the Jacksonville Jaguars play the Buffalo Bills, and on 15 October the Baltimore Ravens play the Tennessee Titans. To celebrate, guests can enjoy three different hot dogs throughout the month of October in The Colony - all with a suggested champagne pairing.