THEATRE: DRACULA
Latest Music Bar until Weds 3rd
Taking their first foray in horror theatre, the inimitably brilliant Otherplace Productions go gothic in a Halloween retelling of the infamous Bram Stoker story, taking an ensemble cast, live music and a specially installed set design to the Latest for four days. You know the score – bloodthirsty madmen and psychopaths in an asylum, seduction, murder, life, death and moody spirits…it’s your usual witching hour off St James’s Street, just without the risk of getting moved along for gawping at it. (BM)

FILM: THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
Duke of York’s until Thurs 4th
Acclaimed director Lisa Cholodenko’s third film is a no-holds-barred, critically applauded, thoughtful and explosive portrayal of same-sex marriage and family ties, channelled through forcing the viewer to side with complex characters collectively in thrall to their seedy mores. The sexual tension between Jules (Julianne Moore) and the biological father of the children she brings up with her lesbian lover knocks anything Oceana can muster at closing time into a simmering cesspit before descending, inevitably, into the dirty deed and complicated consequences. (BM)

THEATRE: THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY
Three and Ten Tues 9th-Sat 13th and Tues 16th-Wed 17th
Two of the best recent Fringe shows for the latter part of the month, starting with The Iliad, an epic tale of war and consequences from physical theatre company Drunken Masks. Theatre Ad Infinitum’s Odyssey turns up the following week, reinventing the Greek myth in a show which won The Stage’s Best Solo Performer nod for star George Mann and a Best of the Fringe award from The Observer, no less. (BM)

COMEDY: THE FUNNIER FARM
Caroline of Brunswick Weds 10th and 24th
The comedy fixture from Hove’s departed Farm Tavern arrives at everyone’s favourite goth hangout with a couple of cheap-as-chips chuckle sessions this month, starting with Dave Gorman accomplice Danielle Ward and Hackney Empire New Act finalist Pat Burtscher on a five act line-up. Beardy deadpan cynic and surrealist Joe Wilkinson headlines the second one alongside confessional outbursts from Meryl O’Rourke and at least five other performers, including sketches and songs from duo Horse & Louis. (BM)

EXHIBITION: HARRY WATTS
Temple Bar until 14th
Brighton-based photographer Harry Watts has had a busy few months, being involved with printing and planning at the Brighton Photo Biennial, exhibiting in the Brighton Photo Fringe, and releasing his own project, Finds. His gritty, stark images show objects found on Brighton streets from scattered berries to discarded clothes, and have been reproduced in newspaper format and distributed across the city as an interactive display for others to find and document themselves. Cool and reflective, this exhibition celebrates that which most would ignore. (JMM)

DANCE: UNDER GLASS
Basement Fri 19th – Sat 20th
Plummeting temperatures seem to spark The Basement’s prolific programme, with everything from cosmic Edwardians to film noir short stories in the hidden bunker this month. Under Glass was commissioned by Sadler’s Wells as a series of cabaret performance pieces setting seven dancers, artists and actors in made-to-measure glass cabinets or jars. They use their claustrophobic restrictions to explore the concept of mortal limitations with original musical scores and “movement language” in a project which won the Total Theatre Award last year. (BM)

DANCE: BREAKIN’ CONVENTION
10 Dome Fri 19th – Sat 20th
Much more than a mere display of flailing limbs and hip hop beats, this 10th outing for the crew promises to fill the Dome’s foyers with pre-show and interval activities. Open dance floors, have-a-go workshops for those more supple of limb than us, graffiti art and loads more conspire to complement the main room performances, which based on the promo film we saw are a mix of standard b-boys spinning on lino and altogether more costumed and choreographed affairs. Whatever your particular breakin’ proclivity, there’s something to love here. (NC)

FESTIVAL: STORYVILLE
Pavilion Theatre Fri 19th – Sun 21st
An international roster of female writers takes to the Dome for one weekend only, in the inaugural edition of this literature festival. Lionel Shriver discusses her scathing dissection of American healthcare, Bonnie Greer talks about Obama’s “southside” upbringing, multi award-winner Ali Smith has a chat about her new work and gothic wordsmith Louise Welsh pitches in among an impressive, ambitious line-up which also finds space for New Voices, allowing audiences to listen to up-and-coming talents introducing their ethos. (BM)

ART: MADE
10 Corn Exchange Fri 19th – Sun 21st
You’ll probably see the quirky, Elle-endorsed posters for the design and textile wing of the Brighton Art Fair popping up omnipotently this month, illustrating the funky feel of a show which is traditionally choc-a-block with horned clay sculptures, chains of swirling, kaleidoscopic plates and weird ceramic installation hybrids. MADE has prided itself on being accessible and affordable since launching in 2004, and last month its success saw it branch out to London for a similar adventure in the salubrious surroundings of Fulham Palace. (BM)

ART: ART JUNKY
Phoenix Sun 21st
Most Phoenix one-offs are designed to raise eyebrows, and the winter “bizarre bazaar” is no exception. While there are original works up for grabs at a snip, many of the pieces are cast-offs or former firmaments of inspiration for the artists shipping them out, which leads to an absurdist feel and flea market atmosphere. A café, bar, live DJs, face-painting, giveaways and an auction are also on the cards at the indoor market with a difference. (BM)

THEATRE: MACBETH
Pavilion Theatre Thurs 25th-Sat 27th
A colourful twist on Shakespeare’s tragedy from award-winning collective (try saying this one after a few gins) Teatr Pie?? Koz?a, who imbue the piece with physicality and song in a style heavily influenced by its conceptual origins at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works season three years ago. Founded 14 years ago and working out of a 14th century monastery in their native Poland, this is the avant-garde group’s first full UK tour and follows award-winning runs at Edinburgh in 2004 and 2006. (BM)

ONLINE PREVIEWS

ART: DAN BALDWIN
Ink_d until Sun 21st
Dan Baldwin has been spotted hanging out with Banksy, squiggling skulls, guns, rats and effigies of Hitler onto epic vases and even enjoying a cameo role on narky suited twerp extravaganza The Apprentice back in 2005. This is his first show devoted to works on heavyweight paper in an attempt by the gallery to defy Tory Britain with some art us peasants might actually be able to afford, featuring 12 originals on paper, prints, canvasses and limited edition silkscreen prints.

FILM: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY
Duke Of York’s Tues 2nd
Here’s a nice reason to pull a sickie on a cold, wet Tuesday – the grand old Duke is showing this silver screen classic at 11am. With a digital restoration that premiered at Cannes this year, the film takes up the story of a gang of GIs stationed in Hawaii on the verge of World War II, with a cast including Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra and Montgomery Clift. This is the film with the how’s-yer-father scene between Lancaster and Kerr amidst the crashing waves that’s surprisingly difficult to recreate without getting salt water up your nose and sand up your ninny. (NC)

WORDS BY NICK COQUET, JESSICA MARSHALL MCHATTIE, BEN MILLER