COMEDY

The Lost Letters of Cathy G and My Son’s Not Rainman

A delightful double bill of two Edinburgh shows presented in one evening. Comedian Paul Harry Allen tells the tale finding a wad of letters from 1963-69 in a junk shop and his quest to find out what happened after the letters stopped, in The Lost Letters of Cathy G. My Son’s Not Rainman is a comic and moving show based on the true story of comedian John Williams, a single dad, and his autistic son.

The Hope Theatre, Upper Street, Islington, July 12 and 13, 7.45pm. Details: 0333 666 3366, thehopetheatre.com

Phil Nichol and Patrick Monahan

Catch the boys’ live Edinburgh preview shows before they take them up north. Phil is an acclaimed actor, award-winning comedian, producer, presenter, writer and musician with unique skills in improvisation with a surreal edge and an eye for the shocking and absurd. Patrick’s warm, lively storytelling style is a regular on the comedy festival circuit and he has appeared on the likes of Friday Night Jonathan Ross, The Catherine Tate Show and The Kumars at No 42.

ArtHouse, Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, Monday, July 13, 8pm. Details: arthousecrouchend.co.uk

DAYS OUT

Summer Arts Festival

Get close to the local arts and try your hand at a variety of arts activities at this free event which features performers from across the boroughs of Enfield and Barnet. Chickenshed’s Tales from the Shed, Youth Band and Community Choir will be there along with music from Ziggy’s Jazz Band, Broomfield Blues and Enfield Music Service, performances by Facefront and Platinum Arts, and workshops with Tiger Monkey and Community Focus.

Chickenshed, Chase Side, Southgate, Sunday, July 12, 10am to 4pm. Details: 020 8292 9222, chickenshed.org.uk

Postcards 2015

Re-energised and raring to go after taking a break last year, Postcards is ready for two weeks of explosive, innovative, hilarious and pretty bloody brilliant circus productions. Every single performance is an exclusive, featuring world premieres, brand new shows, specially curated cabarets and newly-formed partnerships.

Jacksons Lane, Archway Road, Highgate, July 14 to 25. Details: 020 8341 4421, jacksonslane.org.uk

MUSIC

Enfield Choral and Orchestral Music Festival

Enjoy classical music in every corner of the borough, from The Aurora Trio presenting Around The World In 90 Minutes, performances by North London Brass, North London Symphony Orchestra and Winchmore String Orchestra, to An Evening with Julian Lloyd Webber and the closing concert by The Children’s International Voices of Enfield.

Various venues, until July 12. Details: enfieldfestivals.com/enfield-choral-and-orchestral-music-festival

Old Time Music Hall

Go along and enjoy the resident company at Lauderdale House as they take you back to Victorian England, with all the song-and-dance fun of the times.

Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, Wednesday, July 15, 8pm. Details: 020 8348 8716, lauderdalehouse.co.uk

Sounds of the Supremes

For one night only, the American singing sensation hits town with their fabulous musicians. The Supremes’ music personified the Motown sound that influenced a generation and, since 1989, Kaaren Ragland, who worked with original Supreme Mary Wilson in the 70s and 80s, has performed around the world with this tribute act.

ArtHouse, Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, Wednesday, July 15, 7pm. Details: arthousecrouchend.co.uk

An Evening with Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens

Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens is a Grammy-nominated American hard rock singer who first gained attention as the lead singer of Judas Priest from 1996 to 2003, and then Iced Earth and Yngwie Malmsteen. He currently tours the world as a solo artist and as part of the group Project Rock. Expect a full night of killer Priest tracks and other gems from his career.

The Garage, Highbury Corner, Highbury, Friday, July 17 from 6pm. Details: 0844 847 1678, thegaragehighbury.com

THEATRE

Noonday Demons

Rough Haired Pointer presents the first major revival of Peter Barnes’ play since its premier in 1969. St Eusebius is living as a hermit in the Egyptian desert, alone but for a tower of his own excrement and the maggots that live in his festering flesh. Enter a mysterious second hermit with an order from God to evict Eusebius from the desert - setting in motion a contest staged as a bizarre wrestling match as to who is holier than whom. Witty, rude and full of 1960s energy, the play features slapstick, music hall ventriloquism, rude jokes, levitation and the rhetoric of religious fervour.

King’s Head Theatre, Upper Street, Islington, July 9 to 19, various times. Details: 020 7193 7845, kingsheadtheatre.com

Twelfth Night

The award-winning Principal Theatre Company brings its professional open-air production of Shakespeare’s comic romance to Forty Hall. If music be the food of love, then you will adore this new 60s-inspired production full of love, laughter and live music.

Forty Hall, Forty Hill, Enfield, July 9 to 18. Details: 020 8363 8196, fortyhallestate.co.uk

The Double Life of Malcolm Drinkwater

A darkly humorous play written by and starring award-winning comedian Patrick Monahan. The story centres around Malcolm, a hitman, and his bizarre world set on a tower block estate which includes Lewis, the target hunted by Malcolm, Joan the nosey neighbour, and Degs the clumsy mugger. It’s a world full of double lives and hidden secrets.

ArtHouse, Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, Monday, July 13, 6pm. Details: arthousecrouchend.co.uk

The Turn of the Screw

Tower Theatre Company presents Henry James’ classic tale of a young governess who arrives at a remote estate in Bly to care for two orphans, Miles and Flora. Wild but angelic, they charm their new guardian with flowers, poetry and songs. But as she grows to love her two wards, the chilling history of the house and its former inhabitants surfaces and the governess faces a terrifying battle to protect the children.

Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, July 14 to 18, 7.30pm, Saturday matinee at 3pm. Details: 020 8340 3488, upstairsatthegatehouse.com

Youth Theatre Festival

Inspired by their participation in this year's National Theatre Connections, the Youth Theatre will deliver a festival of work comprising five different ensemble pieces across the week.

Chickenshed, Chase Side, Southgate, July 15 to 18. Details: 020 8292 9222, chickenshed.org.uk

Positive

Benji’s mantra has just about got him through his first year with HIV, but it’s not so much the virus that’s the problem, it’s everything that comes with it. Afraid of stigma and rejection, he’s stopped going out, let himself fall out of contact with his family, and God only knows when he last had sex. But he’s finally decided it’s time to grab life by the balls and start living properly again. How hard can it be? Inspired by true stories, this comedy is from Ann Pinnington Productions in association with West Avenue.

Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, until August 1, 7.45pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 3.15pm. Details: 020 7870 6876, parktheatre.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS

Charina Oeser - 50 Years Painting

An exhibition of the artist’s work collected from her lifetime of travelling, including work from Australia, Greece and the UK in oils and watercolours.

Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, July 15 to August 2. Details: 020 8348 8716, lauderdalehouse.co.uk

Tunde Akinniranye: Retrospective Ceramic Pieces

Edmonton-based ceramicist Tunde unveils an exhibition of striking ceramic pieces, including new works inspired by Forty Hall. Featuring an array of impressive earthen pieces, including vases and bowls within the domestic setting of the Hall.

Forty Hall, Forty Hill, Enfield, until July 26, free admission during normal opening hours. Details: 020 8363 8196, fortyhallestate.co.uk

BOOK IT NOW

Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls

The singer songwriter will be touring in support of his sixth album, Positive Songs for Negative People, which he’ll be releasing on August 7, and this gig at Ally Pally marks the final night of the tour so expect it to be a good one.

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Thursday, November 26, 7pm. Details: 020 8365 2121, alexandrapalace.com