What to do this week in London, 27 November – 3 December
A fresh guide to London's most exciting cultural happenings
Monday: Istanbul, not Constantinople
Have an inspirational start to your week with a talk by Bettany Hughes on the greatest ancient city of the world. Titled Istanbul: The World's Desire, let historian, broadcaster and author Hughes introduce you to the intoxicating city of Istanbul with a story that spans 8,000 years of history.
Read more ...Tuesday: Find fabulous faux fur at Shrimps
Shrimps burst onto the London fashion scene in 2013. The fun, furry brand by London based designer Hannah Weiland takes its curious name from her childhood nickname. This Tuesday, hit up the Shrimps sample sale. Look out for chunky fur coats in uproarious colours, key rings that hang like fuzzy caterpillars and sumptuous faux fur stoles.
Read more ...Wednesday: Don your rose-tinted spectacles
Octogenarian British painter Rose Wylie's solo show at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery opens this week. Enjoy the Senior Royal Academician's loose, colourful style across a collection of canvases. Her playful show, entitled 'QUACK QUACK', and featuring the work 'Pink Skater' (above), might be just the thing to banish your winter blues.
Read more ...Thursday: Buy ballet tickets
See brand new ballet this week. For choreographer and director Michael Keegan-Dolan, the traditional Swan Lake isn't frozen in time. His ballet adaptation for Sadler's Wells has a folk music score and a gritty, modern-day story. With a new Irish title, Loch na hEala, it's on for just a few days this week, but there are still tickets available.
Read more ...Friday: Portuguese plates
Open every day except Monday, newly-launched restaurant Londrino in Southwark serves dishes with Portuguese flair. A far cry from Nando's, it's the first solo restaurant in the capital by Portuguese chef Leandro Carriera, who used to work at double-Michelin-starred Mugaritz in Spain. Get it whilst it's hot.
Read more ...Saturday: Try to score a £10 return
Tickets are sold out for the latest play at the Young Vic, How to Win Against History. However, ring up the theatre to see if you can chase down a return for the previews, which start this week, as it's bound to be a whole heap of fun. Seiriol Davies' musical follows the tragicomic rise and fall of a cross-dressing aristocrat.
Read more ...Sunday: Be serenaded at Spitalfields
Have a melodious start to the month of December with Spitalfields Music Festival. There are a variety of different performances on offer, starting with The House of Monteverdi, on Sunday. Held at Shoreditch church, enjoy a series of performances, including several world premieres, and celebrate the music of the Renaissance composer Claudio Monteverdi.
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