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We commission a new illustrator every month to provide the header image for these emails. This wonderful illustration was created (without the use of AI) by Yufei Yang.
Cog Cultural Calendar – June 2026
Our May Cog Night was a trip to The Stag theatre in Sevenoaks to see Rhys James perform a work-in-progress set. You can read Heidi's review in our journal. Read on for our mini-reviews, plus recommendations for this month and beyond. But first a trailer for our absolute game-changer of a wall chart, for those who'd rather be in the stalls than on the terraces.
World Cup / Culture Wall ChartLove it or loathe it, the World Cup of (men's) soccer ball is happening, all across North America, throughout the Summer. We won't be able to avoid it so we've created a wall chart for everyone. For footie-fans, we’ve listed every fixture. For culture lovers there's an alternative arts activity to every match. We'll be sending them to our clients and friends. Let us have your postal address to secure your free copy while stocks last.
Out and about with the Cog team
Kasia liked the fluidity of the vibrant colours that moved freely through this gallery.
Black Box Recorder
London PalladiumMichael enjoyed this cult band's first gig since 2009, rediscovered by Billie Eilish.
Nick caught the opening night of this fun new musical and got to meet the real Dave.
Michael's second Almeida Xmas play this year. Romola Garai was outstanding.
Too hot to reach Skiddaw peak, Danny enjoyed the vistas around him.
Based on stories from a mother and baby institution in Aoife's homeland.
Mighty Hoopla
Brockwell ParkNick boogied all weekend but the cultural highlight was the diva... Jane McDonald.
Marking 75 years of culture. Michael's highlight was the dancing rat Thatchers.
With many plants in bloom, Kasia headed to the beautiful gardens for some inspiration.
Danny loved watching this guitar virtuoso bring the house down.
Michael battled bank holiday traffic to see new material, in a brightly lit, sweltering room.
Mass
Donmar WarehouseAn exceptional cast brought real emotional complexity. Michael found it very moving.
Nick wasn't blown away by the musical but appreciated the incredibly talented cast.
Michael was impressed by this Korean zombie apocalypse solo musical.
Waitress
Manchester PalaceNick saw the incomparable Carrie Hope Fletcher star in this 10th anniversary event.
On right now...Peter Doyle's new exhibition Well Water Rhodes Contemporary Art, until 6 Jun
Michelle Terry takes on Mother Courage and Her Children Shakespeare's Globe, until 7 Jun
Eight friends trapped in a room in XL Bully, Sherman Theatre, until Jun
An epic historic story Even These Things Royal Exchange, until 15 Jun
Quartet in Autumn, adapted from the novel by Barbara Pym, Arcola Theatre, until 20 Jun.
The deliciously dark, Little Shop of Horrors, Derby Theatre, until 20 Jun
Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture Sir John Soane's Museum, until 28 Jun
Georgie Dettmer presents a provocation: Are you Watching Royal Court, until 4 Jul
Joshua Harmon's We Had a World, Hampstead Theatre, until 4 Jul
Lindsay Posner directs a revival of Equus Menier Chocolate Factory, until 4 Jul
Delve into Wes Anderson’s extensive archive The Design Museum, until 26 Jul
Vibrant figurative paintings Hurvin Anderson Tate Britain, until 28 Aug
The excellent Tracey Emin retrospective, A Second Life Tate Modern, until 30 Aug
M.C Esher's mind bending optical illusions are on display, Somerset House, until 6 Sep
1996: The wildest year of Britain's wildest decade 30 Years On Barbican Library, until 19 Sept
The Sixteen's The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Lead, Kindly Light Nationwide tour, until 17 Oct
A first, to be made entirely from brick Serpentine Pavilion Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, until 25 Oct
Avant garde couture creations in Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art V&A, until 1 Nov
Attitudes towards ageing explored in The Coming of Age Wellcome Collection, until 29 Nov
Henry Moore, Monumental Nature Kew Gardens, until 31 Jan On this month... Pindrop presents: Folk in the round, Venue MOT, 8 Jun
Gossip and bad behaviour fuel Mucha Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare Globe, 11 Jun – 24 Oct
Cured. A bunch of disabled Scousers on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, Belgrade Theatre, 11–13 Jun
Mark Farrelly's solo show, Jarman: The Story of Derek Jarman, The Playground Theatre, 11–12 Jun
The Importance of Being Oscar, New Wolsey Theatre, 12 & 13 Jun
Nell Gwynn takes 1660's London by storm, Shakespeare North Playhouse, 12 Jun – 4 Jul
Ron is a violent, genre-bending queer odyssey Riverside Studios, 13 Jun – 5 Jul
Namelessly hung artwork returns to the Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Art 16 Jun – 23 Aug
The complete works of Shakespeare (abridged), Theatre by the Lake, 16–18 Jun
Acclaimed artist, Self Esteem performs at British Airways Arc, 16 & 7 Jun
Olivier Award nominated, Blue Mist, Leeds Playhouse, 17–20 Jun
World premiere of Ben Ockrent's comic family drama, Relics, Lyric Hammersmith, 18 Jun – 18 Jul
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Opera Holland Park, 19 – 27 Jun
The B52s and Devo: Cosmic De-evolution tour, London O2 Arena, 20 Jun
Avant garde Gothic rock trio Tristwich Y Fenywod, Institute of Contemporary Arts, 21 Jun
The OAE reconstructs Vienna 1897: Brahms' Last Concert, Queen Elizabeths Hall, 24 Jun
COLOSSUS: Fifty Dancers move as one, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 25 Jun
Teresa Deevy's Wife to James Whelan, Jermyn Street Theatre, 25 Jun – 25 Jul
Bryony Kimmings' darkly funny motherhood show, Bog Witch, Nottingham Playhouse, 27 Jun
OEA's The Fairy Queen: Three Wishes, Wiltshire Music Centre, 30 Jun
Marking the 25th Anniversary, Still Pointless: BalletBoyz at 25 Lighthouse Poole, 30 Jun
We're booking early for...
Prepare to be part of the show with Abel Selaocoe and Bantu Ensemble Wigmore Hall, 5 Jun
White Rabbit Red Rabbit fills Monday night slots with celebs Duchess Theatre, 8 Jun – Nov
Anish Kapoor's thought provoking sculptures return to the Southbank Centre,16 Jun – 18 Oct
A Midsummer Night's Fairy Tale with Mermaid Chunky British Library, 20 Jun
Button Up! – a new exhibition from Ai Weiwei Aviva Studios, 2 Jul – 6 Sep
In Bed With My Brother present Philosophy of the World The Yard Theatre, 14–25 July
Choose lie, choose... Trainspotting the Musical Theatre Royal Haymarket, 15 Jul – 5 Sep
Global talented musicians return for BBC Proms Royal Albert Hall, 17 Jul – 12 Sept
Michael Longhurst directs Kimberly Akimbo Hampstead Theatre, 28 Aug – 7 Nov
Amy Lennox and Rachel Tucker star in Thelma and Louise Young Vic, 3 Sep – 24 Oct
Ólafur Arnalds's Falling Apart Together Eventim Apollo, 6 & 7 Sep
San Francisco Ballet Mere Mortals, Sadlers Wells, 9–12 Sep
Gillian Anderson stars in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? @sohotheatre, 21 Sep – 19 Dec
Touring their seventh studio album, The Strokes: Reality Awaits, London O2 Arena, 6 & 7 Oct
London Philharmonic Orchestra: The Firebird, Royal Festival Hall, 23 Oct
Jim Cartwright's modern classic, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, National Theatre, 2 Dec – 23 Jan
Image creditsYufei Yang created our fantastic illustration.
See more on their website. Other images are provided by members of the Cog team, with due credit to those who created the works we have photographed.
Cog Design Cog Design is a digital design agency. We partner with exceptional arts organisations to inspire audiences. We mostly design branding and websites that ease interactions, demand attention and prompt action. But it's nice to commission illustration and share our cultural recommendations.
CogDesign.com / @Cog_Design
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