Things to do in London this Week
LIST: Things to do in London this weekend: the best cultural events, from Croatian playwrights (Three Winters) to the best alternative pop acts (Metronomy).
A Croatian playwright’s love-letter to home, 3 Winters is about a house, the four woman that occupy it and the disasters that prowl like wolves outside.
FILM FIX: St Vincent
Bill Murray does his thing (cantankerous, lonesome, loveable) in Theodore Melfi’s first feature film; a beautifully shot heartwarmer, with Naomi Watts and Melissa McCarthy.
BREATHTAKING: Drawn By Light, Science Museum
An extraordinary collection of photographs have come to London this winter, as The Science Museum houses the Royal Photographic Society Collection. We adored it.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS: Handel's Messiah with Richard Egarr, Barbican
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a Messiah and this is the best of the bunch. Come and hear the Academy of Ancient Music do justice to the glorious oratorio, with all its thunder and its tenderness.
RED HOT JAZZ: Avishai Cohen, Vortex
Simply put, Cohen is the most exciting young trumpet player on the international jazz scene. You’d be mad to miss his Vortex gig: even if it means missing the Messiah…
ICONIC FASHION: Alexander McQueen Sample Sale, Shoreditch
Purchase a piece of fashion history this week: Shoreditch Town Hall hosts a three-day McQueen sample sale. If you have even the slightest interest in couture, there’s no excuse not to go: new stock is added every day.
FOR THE FAMILY: Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales, Bargehouse
Critics are raving about this out-of-the-way production: an adaption of Phillip Pullman’s take on Grimms’ Tales. The warped world of the Brothers Grimm is recreated over four floors, and nothing is what it seems…
SYNTH SYMPHONY: Metronomy, Alexandra Palace
Their sprightly synths and retro jangles could cure even the deepest of winter blues. Come and party at Alexandra Palace with Britain’s best alternative pop act.
MUST SEE: Tristan und Isolde, Royal Opera House
Wagner's aching masterpiece comes to Covent Garden on December 5; Loy's much-praised production stars the wonderful Nina Stemme and Antonio Pappano.
BRIGHT YOUNG FOODIE: Ben Spalding Pop Ups, Dalston
“I am done with formal, predictable and tedious cooking,” announced Ben Spalding. Accordingly, the brilliant young Fat Duck chef has brought no less than two experimental pop-ups to Dalston. We won't spoil the surprise but, my, it's worth the schlep.
