Things to do in London this week

What to see and do in London this week (Wednesday 6th - Wednesday 13th August 2014): The coolest, cultural, current events in London as selected by the Culture Whisper team.

BOOK NOW LONDON

After touring Europe last year, The Globe’s acclaimed production of King Lear is back in town from Wednesday 6th. Joseph Marcell may be most famous for appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but he’s also a seasoned Shakespearian. Given his magnetic performance in Omeros at the adjoining Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, expect him to be extraordinary as the titular monarch. Book soon to avoid missing out – Lear will only run until the 23rd August and demand is sure to be high.

HIGHLIGHTS OF LONDON THIS WEEK

Yearning for the cobbled streets and deep-fried delicacies of Edinburgh? At the Camden People’s Theatre as part of the Camden Fringe week from Monday 11th there’s Where do Little Birds Go? , a stunning one woman-play. Set in 1960s London, it tells the true tale of a young woman kidnapped by the Kray twins and locked in a flat with an axe-murderer. Director Sarah Meadows provides a rare female perspective on the conventions of film noir. Thought-provoking and menacing, it’s also deliriously funny, with a superlative script. 

The BBC Proms continue, with something of a British focus. Relatively unknown works from Arwyn and Matthias join great pieces from Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Walton. This week’s evening highlight looks to be the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Stravinsky’s oratorio Oedipus rex on Thursday 7th. Written by Jean Cocteau after the Sophocles tragedy, it is an awesome composition. Rory Kinnear narrates. This week’s Saturday matinee promises to be just as special, with the Lapland Chamber Orchestra. The diverse programme melds C. P. E. Bach, Sibelius and Honegger with the major contemporary voices Sir Harrison Birtwistle and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Seated tickets for the matinee have sold out, but over a thousand standing places will be available on the day; tickets are still going for Oedipus rex. 

Followers of both cinema and design should head to Work Gallery in St. Pancras for Stanley Kubrick: New Perspectives . Using original documents and photographs from the director’s archive, the exhibition tracks three pivotal spaces from his films – 2001’s spaceship, The Shining’s hotel and Full Metal Jacket’s Hué City – to highlight their psychological effects.

It-Girl Alexa Chung has carved out a unique career though modelling, presenting and writing, becoming one of the fashion world’s true icons. Ahead the paperback release of her bestselling book It, she’ll be joining Vogue editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman at the V&A  to discuss the inspirations behind her style. We hope that they’ll touch on the seamier sides of fashion, obsessed with body shape and weight.

Four-piece Stornoway make joyous indie-folk, with big melodies, soaring harmonies and touch of the Celtic. Ahead of their third album, the band – who’ve built up a following through small gigs since 2006 – perform at Chalk Farm’s cavernous Roundhouse on Wednesday 13th. Expect lovesick lyrics, hummable tunes and a host of surprisingly exotic instruments. 

Busy afternoon of culture? In the mood for something delectable? The prospect of the Great British Bake Off’s return causing you to salivate? Then head to Whitehall. Bow's White Hat Bakery continues its residency in Banqueting House’s historic undercroft, once the favoured drinking den of King James I. Alongside their signature bakes – sourdough loafs, Earl Grey and cherry teacakes, mouth-watering sandwiches on hand-crafted breads – they’ll be serving some 17th century pastries. Having a carb-free day? Then choose one of the inventive salads. 

CULTURAL LONDON FOR KIDS

After winning rave reviews in Kingston, H etty Feather has transferred to the Strand’s Vaudeville Theatre for a month-long run. Adapted from Jacqueline Wilson’s much-loved story of a Victorian foundling’s searching for her mother, the play is a winning extravaganza full of imaginative staging and emotive set-piece scenes. Phoebe Thomas is delightful as the ebullient Hetty, whose journey is brightened by director Sally Cookson’s circus-themed set.

From the 12th of August, fringe favourites Tap Tap Theatre will bring their innovative new family show to the Southbank Centre. Handmade Tales takes its audience through magical worlds through five stories, live music and ingenious props. Tap Tap combine the supernatural with subtle moral questions, seeking to broaden the mind of their audience. A perfect afternoon for anyone over the age of five.

LAST CHANCE TO SEE LONDON

In the mid-20th century, Sir Kenneth Clark strode the British art world like a colossus. Patronising the likes of Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland and Vanessa Bell while collecting an extraordinary array of paintings himself, Clark’s legacy as enormous. Looking for Civilization , which closes at the Tate Britain until Sunday 10th, tells the story of his life through pieces by Da Vinci, Cézanne, Degas and others. 

Also closing this Sunday are Yvonne Rainer’s Dance Works at Spitafields stalwart Raven Row. One of the most revolutionary choreographers of the last fifty years, Rainer pioneered dance that refused to yield to its audience. A group of dancers led by Rainer’s long-time collaborator Pat Catterson will perform her work.

Catch queer comedian and cabaret artist Ursula Martinez continues at the Purcell Room until Sunday. We called My Stories, Your Emails "a cathartic and hilarious exploration” of online communication, with an “appetite for the bold.” A thought-provoking look at gender, nudity and issues of the body. 

Finally, two cinematic masterpieces face their final screenings this week. Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, which follows a single actor over twelve years of filming, closes on Monday 11th. And Tuesday 12th is your last chance to catch Lav Diaz’ four-hour Filipino epic Norte, the End of History at the ICA. 

Enjoy.

The Culture Whisper team

Want to read more? Members enjoy full access to all Culture Whisper's arts previews, exclusives and features. Click here to take our cultural quiz and get a month's free trial.