From Outdoor Theatre to Pride’s Colourful Parades, 9 Cultural Events to Ring In Summer

Hayward Gallery presents the highly anticipated Kiss My Genders, a group exhibition celebrating more than 30 international artists (spanning the past 50 years) whose work explores and engages with gender identity, opening up new possibilities for self-expression, beauty and representations of the human form. A number of artists in the exhibition treat the body itself as sculpture, and in doing so open up new possibilities for representations, but also performance, drag and masquerade. These include London-based visual activist Ajamu; trans Latinx Martine Gutierrez, whose project “Indigenous Woman” centres on the September issue of a fictional fashion magazine; Amrou Al-Kadhi, a British-Iraqi writer, drag performer and filmmaker, exploring the experience of being in drag as a person of Muslim heritage. From the 12th of June, Hayward Gallery, tickets £15.50

“112 million people. That’s how many people follow her on Instagram – and counting… As if she’s like a prophet. Or a material messiah or something…” A young woman fantasises about killing popular influencer Kylie Jenner in this outrageous black comedy. Holed up in her room, Cleo has cut off contact with the world, but has plenty to say about the immense popularity of the internet sensation. This play by new writer Jasmine Lee-Jones, directed by Royal Court trainee director Milli Bhatia, forms part of the Royal Court’s Jerwood New Playwrights programme, and stands testament to the Young Court’s commitment to showcasing new voices. From the 4th of June, Royal Court Theatre, tickets £18

The annual flagship London’s Rare Book Fair, held by The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association (ABA), will be opened by the actor, writer and rare book collector Stephen Fry. Bringing together over 150 exhibitors from around the world, the event is a bookworm’s paradise, spilling over with rare, unique and unusual works including signed first editions, maps, manuscripts, art and ephemera. Masterpieces include the first edition of Rima et Prosa by Luigi da Porto, the source for Romeo and Juliet, and a first edition of The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher. With female writers tours, LGBTQ+ events and a brand new virtual reality installation that allows visitors to fly over Turgot’s monumental 18th century ‘Plan de Paris’, there’s something for everyone. Battersea Evolution, Free admission on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June

For one glorious weekend in summer, London’s hidden green spaces, usually closed to the public, open their gates, giving exclusive access to some of the most exciting, private and unique gardens in the capital. This year, there are gardens with breathtaking panoramas, sleek contemporary-designed spaces, as well as wild and naturalistic hidden gems, accompanied by a programme of events and activities. 8-9 June, Various London locations, free admission

Pack your glitter and join the party crowd of all genders, sexualities, races and faiths for London’s Pride. This year’s programme includes a series of events showcasing LGBTQ+ culture, including theatre, dance, art, cinema, parties and activities across the city. The month-long festival culminates in the colourful Pride in London parade through central London, along with free performances in Trafalgar Square and the West End. All month, Free

This major exhibition on the relationship between magic and psychology asks how bias and suggestion affect our senses and decisions, and considers what it is about the human condition that means many of us believe in magic and the supernatural, even in the face of logical explanations. Why do we get a thrill from experiencing a simple trick? Drawing on magic props, photographs, films and large, colourful stage posters, alongside original materials from extraordinary scientific experiments, ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ charts how psychologists have used conjuring to help understand the appeal of the ‘supernatural’. Did we mention that the ‘Bell Box’ features, used by legendary Houdini? All month, Wellcome Collection, free admission