Tom Hodgkinson's London Cultural Diary

Culture Whisper talks to Tom Hodgkinson, The Idler Magazine and Academy founder, about his springtime plans for cultivated leisure in London.

Tom Hodgkinson founded the Idler magazine in 1993 with Gavin Pretor-Pinney (now of the Cloud Appreciation Society ) 'in order to explore alternatives to the work ethic and promote freedom and the fine art of doing nothing'. The Idler movement eventually expanded to include Notting Hill's Idler Academy and Bookshop , where students can learn 'philosophy, calligraphy, English grammar, ukulele, public speaking, singing, drawing, astronomy, martial arts, classical music, handwriting, business and more'. And of course purchase the books by Tom Hodgkinson, How to be Free and How to be Idle . Visit the website to learn more about their classes, lectures and talks in London. 

Exhibition: William Peers Carvings in Marble at the John Martin Gallery, Albermarle Street, 21 March – 19 April 14

William Peers is a sculptor we met when we lived in North Devon. Like us, he and his wife, who is starting a free school and is seriously good at gardening, are middle-class exiles from London. His sculptures are amazing – abstract and realistic at the same time, they might resemble a shell, or part of a woman's body. He reminds me a bit of Henry Moore. 

Gig: The Rutles , Islington 02 Academy, 22 May 14

The Rutles were founded by Neil Innes and Eric Idle; Innes wrote lots of Monty Python's comic songs and was also in the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. The Rutles, or the 'Prefab Four', are an affectionate parody of the Beatles. Every Beatles track has been Rutlefied, and they are brilliant songs as well as being very witty pastiche. 

Theatre: Titus Andronicus , the Globe, 24 April - 13 April 14

This is the bloodiest of Shakespeare's plays – there's a scene in which someone's hands and tongue are cut off. It's much more shocking than lots of contemporary drama and it's going to be really interesting to see how they stage it. 

Talk: Michael Palin , the Idler Academy, 22 May 14

I met Michael Palin last year when he was guest-editing the Today programme for Christmas. He wanted to walk around Sheffield, which is where he grew up, accompanied by me as a representative 'flâneur' and by Peter Stringfellow, of all people, who is a friend of his and also comes from Sheffield. I'm going to be interviewing him on the subject of 'forty-eight years without a proper job'.

Day out: Fenton House, Hampstead Grove, Hampstead

There are quite a few National Trust houses in London which people don't always know about. This is a 17th-century merchant's house with an orchard and a beautifully-kept kitchen garden. It's a lovely place to visit and until 29 June 14 they're showing an exhibition called Hamptead's Village People, featuring portraits of local celebrities and artists from Edward Elgar, Edith Sitwell, Ben Nicholson and Richard Burton to Boy George, Alan Hollinghurst, Barbara Hepworth and Judi Dench.

Library: the Bishopsgate Institute

This central London resource was founded in the 19th century to educate the common man and has one of the best libraries in London of radical texts which is completely open to the public. It's still an adult education centre and the entrepreneur and former chair of the RSA Luke Johnson has just been appointed chairman. As well as courses, it runs many events, from the London Swing Festival (6-8 June 14) to lunchtime concerts and talks on the East End. 

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