On the agenda: Photomonth; Juice Festival; British Food Fortnight; Fashion Week; Jo Brand; Laurence Olivier Awards

A 7ft beast in Newcastle, political beasts in Staffordshire and a free feast at St Paul's

(Ahlam Al Housi)

Photography

No, we haven't gone a bit Richard Desmond. Yes, we are telling you to get your kicks in Hackney's Bordello lingerie shop next month – for that is one of the venues that will play host to east London's 10th annual Photomonth festival of photography (though it actually lasts two months, from Friday to 30 November). With more than 200 events, there'll be something to suit every taste, including a retrospective of the late Magnum photographer Philip Jones Griffiths. For a full programme: photomonth.org

Robert Epstein

Kids

Shakespeare's entreaty to Henry V's audience to use their imagination is sure to be on all the kids' minds at Lone Twin's performance of Beastie at the children's Juice Festival (20-31 October) in Newcastle Gateshead this coming half-term. But even, ahem, if it's not, they'll soon get the gist. The "play" is a participatory endeavour: the children watch a film showing sightings of a creature, then work with an actor dressed as the 7ft 'Beastie' to create a live version – is it happy or sad? Male or female? They then follow the creature on an outing round the quayside, with adventurous interactions on the way. For excitable six- to 10-year-olds, 29-31 October, northernstage. co.uk; juicefestival.co.uk

RE

Food

We're in the midst of British Food Fortnight, but if you're bored of your garden's seasonal produce, put it in a shoebox and take it along to The Restaurant at St Paul's Cathedral. There you can swap it, today only, for a free Sunday roast at the swanky eaterie, and your harvested fruit and veg will go into next week's menu. restaurantat stpauls.co.uk; lovebritishfood.co.uk

LM

Fashion

Fashion Week is over; long live Fashion Week! The truly hardcore are in Milan this weekend for the next round of shows, in the fashion-pack uniform of jeans, striped tops and mannish blazers. If you want to copy that front-row look, just pick one simple item to add a bit of oomph to your existing wardrobe. "This season it's all about the cape," suggests Sarah Curran, founder of my-wardrobe.com. "With its vintage look, Alice by Temperley's beautiful version will give an elegant edge to straight-leg jeans or cigarette-style trousers during the day, and a touch of glamour to a full-length dress for evening." alicebytemperley.com

Harriet Walker

Books

Jo Brand, back on our screens next month in the NHS comedy Getting On, can also be seen live at the fifth literary Lichfield Festival in Staffordshire, where she'll be talking about the second part of her life story, Can't Stand Up for Sitting Down. Other speakers include the always-entertaining MPs Roy Hattersley and Tony Benn and, excitingly, Ron Moody, who will presumably be reviewing the situation. 5-10 October, lichfieldfestival.org

RE

Theatre

Want free passes to the top London shows of 2011? The prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards recruits four ardent theatre-goers each year to form part of its judging panel. The four will be joined by five experts in reviewing 80 productions over the year, before voting on winners for the 2012 ceremony. For a chance to get a slot on the panel (or the opera or dance equivalents), send a 150-word review of a production you've seen to awards@solttma.co.uk. The closing date is 26 November. For full details: officiallondontheatre.co.uk

Adam Jacques