Céline Gittens and Haoliang Feng in Black Sabbath [Johan Persson]

Carlos Acosta’s acclaimed Black Sabbath – The Ballet features thrilling dance and Black Sabbath recordings (including Paranoid and Iron Man) alongside full orchestrations of their work performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. The production showcases three composers and three choreographers, led by Pontus Lidberg, composer Chris Austin and award-winning writer Richard Thomas. Oct 22-25. sadlerswells.com/

• Eoin McAndrew’s Verity Bargate Award-winning new play, Little Brother, is about sibling love, self-destruction and what it means to save someone who doesn’t want to be saved. Set in modern-day Belfast, it asks what happens when the systems designed to help us fall short, and love is doing more heavy lifting than it should. Soho Theatre, Oct 16-Nov 22. sohotheatre.com/

• In Victoria Buse’s one-woman show, Not in the Mood for Quiche Anymore, Becks wants a boyfriend. She meets her dream man online, only to discover he has a criminal record. After their first date she’s hooked, but as he reels her in, a question mark looms over who he really is. The closer Becks gets, the more she’s at risk of being caught in his net. Lion & Unicorn, 7.30pm, Oct 21-25. thelionandunicorntheatre.com/

• For Halloween, Phoenix Benham’s The Summoned is a heart-pounding new horror, set against the eerie backdrop of an ancient ruin. Five strangers arrive at a desolate monastery, each drawn by a mysterious invitation and the promise of a life-changing ritual. But once the doors close, it becomes clear – they were never meant to leave. As the night deepens, buried secrets rise, reality twists, and a chilling presence begins to stir. One by one, the guests are forced to confront the darkness inside them… and the even darker force they’ve unknowingly awakened. 8pm, Oct 21-25. etceteratheatrecamden.com/

• In Edwardian London, newlyweds John and Jenny White set up home together, but as the years pass, things do not turn out the way they had hoped. Living in an isolated cottage, with a world war rumbling away, they face the ravages of poverty and childlessness. One day, a mysterious, ancient object comes into their possession, a ghoulish talisman that seems to grant wishes. Could this be the remedy for all their troubles? Adapted from WW Jacobs’ macabre story, The Monkey’s Paw warns of the dangers of meddling with fate. The Hope Theatre, 7.45pm, 21 Oct 21-Nov 8. thehopetheatre.com

• GrimFest returns for its fourth year. If you are a fan of live horror, check out their festival list of shows across London. Til Oct 31. oldredliontheatre.co.uk/

• The Black British Book Festival 2025 is Europe’s largest celebration of Black literature, bringing together more than 80 authors, 30+ events, and thousands of readers for a full day of panels, workshops, and family-friendly activities. Barbican Centre. Tickets: £15. Sun Oct 19. barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2025/event/black-british-book-festival-2025