A film screening with live music at JW3, a book reading by screenwriter William Thacker at Kentish Town Library, and a day for all the family at Keats House are just some of the things in our top five this week.

Wednesday - Killer’s tale

Murderer, a 1975 play by Anthony Shaffer, who wrote Sleuth and The Wicker Man, opens at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate.

Directed by Tim Frost, it tells the tale of Norman Bartholomew, a painter obsessed by notorious murders from the past who wants to carry out his own perfect crime. The production stars Andrew Ashford (Call The Midwife), Bradley Clarkson, Abby Forknall and Zoe Teverson. It runs until April 20. Booking on 020 8340 3488.

Thursday - Silent Film

Silent film East and West (1923) will be shown with a live accompanying score at the JW3 in Finchley Road.

The light comedy - one of many Yiddish films made during the 1920s - charts the clash of traditional and modern Jewish worlds.

Live music is provided by, among others, Lemez Lovas (Oi Va Voi, Shtetl Superstars, Yiddish Twist Orchestra).

Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £15 (£7.50).

Visit www.jw3.org.uk to book.

Thursday - Book Reading

Screenwriter and author William Thacker reads from his new novel at Kentish Town Library in Kentish Town Road.

Charm Offensive, which was published last week, explores the disconnect between the public and the political class.

Thacker - a Muswell Hill resident and whose film Full Time starring Chris Langham was selected for the BFI London Film Festival last year - will also be signing books.

Starts at 7.30pm. This is a free event.

Thursday - Poetry and Absinthe

Poverty, poetry and absinthe is explored at a special screening of author David Harsent’s short film about the iconic French poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine.

House of Knives follows the pair’s turbulent relationship after they both ran away to London together in 1872 and had one of the most notorious love affairs in literary history.

Living at Number 8 Royal College Street in Camden, and fuelled by poetry and absinthe, the young men lived intensely, quarrelled explosively, and wrote what is considered to be some of the greatest poetry in the French language.

The screening is held at Keats House in Keats Grove, Hampstead.

Starts 7pm. Free, but booking required.

Visit www.keatshouse.org.uk to book.

Saturday - Dog Ballet

Based on the book written by Anna Kemp and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, Dogs Don’t Do Ballet sees a family show brought to life by Little Angel Theatre using “beautiful puppets, well-loved music and dazzling comedy”.

The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this story of Biff - a small dog who thinks he’s a ballerina.

Suitable for ages two to six.

Held at Jacksons Lane arts centre in Archway Road, Highgate.

Showings on Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Tickets £10.95. Visit www.jacksonslane.org.uk to book.

Sunday - Family Fun

A free family day at Keats House in Keats Grove, Hampstead, offers activities and inspiration for kids and adults of all ages.

Create a pop-up book with writer Linda Carey and bring your favourite story to life.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.