Julian Joseph’s cultural highlights

Light of Passage, Royal Opera House

I went to the Opera House in March to see this work by the choreographer Crystal Pite and didn’t quite know what to expect. The dancing was very sparse at first, and then it started building up. The cast of dancers were linked together in all sorts of ways, so that one movement would set off another and another. This cascading formulation was totally spellbinding. The entire audience was completely taken aback. It was uplifting, fulfilling and thoughtful, and it’s really stuck with me.

Superman (2025. Dir: James Gunn)

I’m always interested in how the Superman franchise is reinvented, and this new film is a really good reboot. David Corenswet is a solid choice as Superman – he’s got the size and the classic look. Lois Lane is played by Rachel Brosnahan, a brilliant actress, and she’s not so blown away by his superness. Nicholas Hoult takes it up a notch as Lex Luthor, whose hatred for Superman is so vehement. The film is very well put together and creates a strong baseline for a new series.

Clarkson’s Farm (Prime Video)

Oh my goodness, this show is so entertaining. Seeing Jeremy Clarkson go from Top Gear and all the controversy that went with it to being a farmer in the Cotswolds with a thousand acres of land is very interesting. He comes across as much more human and considerate, while giving insights into the realities of farming in this country. He’s addicted to buying Lamborghini tractors, so there’s still a bit of the old Clarkson left, but it’s a very touching programme.

Royal Mahal, London SW17

This is an amazing Indian-Pakistani restaurant a stone’s throw from Tooting Bec station. It’s a place I’ve watched grow over the years; now it takes up several shop fronts. The atmosphere is always so welcoming and the food – lamb saag, chicken madras, saag aloo – is sensational. Often when you’re there, music comes on and you’re thinking, what the hell is going on? And then a guy comes out in a gold jacket and they all sing Happy Birthday. It has a lot of heart.

Forces of Nature: Live at Slugs’ by McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson

This recording was discovered in the vault of the great drummer Jack DeJohnette and recently released. You’ve got the giants of jazz here – Henry Grimes on bass, DeJohnette on drums, McCoy Tyner on piano and Joe Henderson on tenor saxophone – playing live at Slugs’ Saloon, a great New York jazz club, in 1966. It’s transformative. The playing is high-octane, the virtuosity is off the charts, but it’s swinging and soulful and so magnificent – a lovely insight into the craft with four of the great masters.

The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett

Steven Bartlett [Dragons’ Den] is interested in all the things that can help you function at a higher level. His guest might be a former CIA operative talking about interrogation techniques, or a master of communication on public speaking. He’s had the scientist Donald D Hoffman on to talk about how our lives are a simulation. I find all that fascinating, and Bartlett is very engaging.

Photographs by Lebrecht Music & Arts/Alamy, Jessica Miglio/Warner Bros, Simon Pantling/BBC