What's on at the cinema and theatre this Easter?

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5 April 2012

CLASH OF THE TITANS (12A TBC)
Perseus (Sam Worthington, pictured) journeys into the underworld to avert a war between his father Zeus (Liam Neeson) and vengeful Hades (Ralph Fiennes). Medusa and a scorpion provide tests of the hero's mettle.
On general release from 2 April

THE BLIND SIDE (12A)
Sandra Bullock turns in an Oscar-winning performance as Leigh Anne Touhy, a Christian housewife who offers sanctuary to a homeless, black teenager (Quinton Aaron) and encourages him to chase his dreams of an American football scholarship.
On general release from Friday

ASTRO BOY (PG)
This computer-animated adventure (pictured) adds a futuristic sheen to the Pinocchio story. Here, the 30th-century Geppetto (voiced by Nicolas Cage), replaces his dead son Toby (Freddie Highmore) with a robot clone. But the doppelganger thinks he is flesh and blood.
On selected release now

HACHI: A DOG'S TALE (U)
A sentimental shaggy dog tale, rooted in the true story of an Akita dog which waited every day at a train station for its master's return. Stars Richard Gere and Joan Allen.
On general release now

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (PG)
A weedy, young Viking called Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) nurses an injured dragon back to health then tries to protect the creature from a slaying at the hands of his oafish father (Gerard Butler) in this entertaining romp.
On general release from 31 March

NANNY McPHEE & THE BIG BANG (U)
A war bride (Maggie Gyllenhaal), left to single-handedly manage an ailing farm with her three children (Asa Butterfield, Lilian Woods, Oscar Steer), learns invaluable parenting skills from a magical nanny (Emma Thompson). Dame Maggie Smith and Rhys Ifans co-star.
On general release from Friday

PERCY JACKSON & THE LIGHTNING THIEF (PG)
Based on the first of Rick Riordan's five books, this coming-of-age tale based on Greek mythology centres on a 17-year-old misfit (Logan Lerman), who discovers he is the son of Poseidon (Kevin McKidd) and must stop war on Olympus. Director Chris Columbus doesn't let the special effects overwhelm the storytelling.
On general release now

THEATRE
ARACALADANZA'S CLOUDS
Dance show, plus 90 minutes before each performance, artists from the education department lead movement workshops. 2 Apr, 4pm, 3 Apr, 11am & 2.30pm, £25, family £50, workshop £2. Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R, 0844 412 4300, Tube: Angel. www.sadlerswells.com

BILLY ELLIOT – THE MUSICAL
Earthy northern humour underscores young Billy's secret pursuit of his dancing ambitions against the backdrop of the 1984 miners' strike. Mon-Sat 7.30pm, mats Thu & Sat 2.30pm, £17.50-£62.50. Victoria Palace, Victoria Street, 0870 895 5577. Tube: Victoria. www.billyelliotthemusical.com

THRILLER LIVE
A celebration of the legacy of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 (pictured).
Tue-Fri, Sun 7.30pm, Sat 8pm, mats Sat 4pm, Sun 3.30pm, £22.50-£53.50. Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1, 020 7087 7599. Tube: Piccadilly Circus. www.thrillerlive.com

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
Caractacus Potts (Darren Bennett), Jeremy and Jemima, plus Truly Scrumptious (Katie Ray) climb aboard to evade the Childcatcher. Mon-Sat 7.30pm, mats Thu & Sat 2.30pm, until 3 Apr, £20.50-£39.50. New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, SW19, 0870 060 6646. Tube: Wimbledon. www.chittythemusical.co.uk

DIVERSITY: BRINGING A TOY STORY TO LIFE
The street dancers pop and lock in a show inspired by Toy Story. 7, 18 & 19 Apr, 7pm, £21.50. HMV Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, W6, 0844 844 4748. Tube: Hammersmith. www.meanfiddler.com/venues/hammersmith-apollo

GREASE
Dancing On Ice's Robin Cousins is the Teen Angel, as Danny (Noel Sullivan) realises Sandy (Siobhan Dillon) is the one that he wants. Mon-Thu, Sat 7.30pm, Fri 5.30pm & 8.30pm, mats Sat 3pm, £15-£55. Piccadilly Theatre, Denman Street, W1, 0844 412 6666. Tube: Piccadilly Circus. www.greasethemusical.co.uk

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL
Sheridan Smith employs her split-second comic timing as Elle Woods, the sorority siren who wins a place at Harvard Law School. Mon, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, mats Thu & Sat 2.30pm, Sun 3pm, £20-£62.50. Savoy Theatre, Strand, 0870 871 7687. Tube: Charing Cross/Embankment. www.legallyblondethemusical.co.uk

LOVE NEVER DIES
Continuation of The Phantom Of The Opera sees Christine Daaé (Sierra Boggess) and Raoul (Joseph Millson), venture to Coney Island 10 years after the disappearance of The Phantom. Mon-Sat 7.30pm, mats Wed & Sat 2.30pm, £25-£67.50. Adelphi Theatre, Maiden Lane, WC2, 0844 412 4651. Tube: Charing Cross/Embankment. www.loveneverdies.com

OLIVER!
Griff Rhys Jones encourages his urchins to pick a pocket or two in this revival of the Lionel Bart musical. Mon-Sat 7.30pm, mats Wed & Sat 2.30pm, £17.50-£65. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, 0844 412 2955. Tube: Charing Cross/Embankment. www.oliverthemusical.com

EVENTS
Beautiful Creative Easter Nests & Mad Hatters
Two-day creative workshops. 7 & 8 Apr, 10.30am-12.30pm (ages 6-8) & 2.30pm-4.30pm (ages 9-11), £18, adv booking essential. Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21, 020 8693 5254.

Easter At Osterley
An Easter-themed trail for ages 3-12. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 4 & 5 Apr, 12noon-4pm, child £2.50 plus usual admission charge (£8, child £4, family £20). National Trust: Osterley Park And House, Osterley Park, TW7, 020 8232 5050.

Easter At Hever
Hunt for wooden eggs at Anne Boleyn's childhood home. 2-11 April, 10.30am-5pm (castle open from noon), £13, child £7, OAP £11, family £33. Hever Castle, Edenbridge, TN8, 01732 865224.

Easter Egg Rolling
Easter activities. 4 Apr, 11am-1pm, child £6, adv booking essential as spaces limited. Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, Waterlow Park, N6, 020 8348 8716.

Easter Chocolate Festival
Chefs and chocolatiers, authors and displays of chocolate sculptures crafted by pastry chefs and master chocolatiers. 26-28 Mar, 11am-8pm, free. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1, 0871 663 2500.
www.southbankcentre.co.uk

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