Lockdown lifted: The best arts picks for May toJuly, from live music and theatre to comedy and art exhibitions

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Hepworth Wakefield, Yorkshire, 21 May-27 February 2022 David Hockney, The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 open image in gallery David Hockney’s new work will be shown from 23 May to 26 September at the Royal Academy, London The unfailingly prolific artist continues to surprise, now with a new body of 116 works that were “painted” on an iPad before being printed onto paper. Glyndebourne Festival Opera, from 20 May Picks by Michael Church Comedy open image in gallery Nish Kumar will be performing in Bristol’s Comedy Garden, 2-6 June Pleasance Comedy Comeback Season For many stand-up comedians, the past year has meant short spots at virtual gigs, but little opportunity to put their longer shows in front of an audience. V&A, London, 22 May-24 October Picks by Roisin O’Connor Film open image in gallery Chris Rock stars in Spiral, from 17 May Spiral: From the Book of Saw Covid-19 may have put a stop to many things, but it appears nothing – even a pandemic – can impede this never-ending horror franchise. Theatre Royal Windsor, London, 21 June-4 September Anna X open image in gallery Emma Corrin stars in Anna X One of three plays in the Harold Pinter Theatre’s starry reopening season, Anna X is based on the true story of Anna Delvey, who schemed and scammed her way to the top of New York’s elite.