Events
Summer on the Square
Trafalgar Square – 1st-28th August 2023
The National Gallery in partnership with Westminster City Council, will host Summer on the Square – a programme of daily creative sessions and activities to inspire you to create your own masterpieces. Immerse yourself in studio activities and be ready to sketch, draw and more! All activities are open and free to everyone.
The Cool Down
Covent Garden 20th-28th August 2023
Head down to Covent Garden’s Piazza for a summery celebration of all things ice cream. Pop-ups from big foodie names including Crosstown, Barafat Café, Bears Ice Cream & Little Orange Van will be putting ice-cool spins on summery snacks. You’ll find more frozen thrills at local places including Ladurée, Amorino, Venchi, and more.
Resurgam
St. Pauls Cathedral – 31st August-2nd September 2023
Look up in wonder, as one of the world’s most extraordinary vertical dance companies present a breathtaking performance on the iconic façade of Wren’s masterpiece, St Paul’s Cathedral. An enduring symbol of hope for Londoners for more than 300 years, director Melecio Estrella has taken inspiration from the inscription Resurgam (I shall rise), carved onto the south portico of the cathedral, to create this awe-inspiring performance, which explores what it takes to be optimistic in challenging times
Exhibitions
David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)
Lightroom King’s Cross – Until 3rd December 2023
Using large-scale projection in a remarkable new space, David Hockney takes us on a personal journey through sixty years of his art. His life-long fascination with the possibilities of new media is given vibrant expression in a show that invites us to look more closely, more truly and more joyously.
Moki Cherry: Here and Now
Institute of Contemporary Arts – Until 3rd September 2023
Here and Now displays over 30 artworks and archival material of Swedish artist, designer and educator Moki Cherry (1943 – 2009) including works that have never been shown in the UK. The exhibition celebrates her exploration of where art and life meet.
Capturing The Moment
Tate Modern – Until 24th January 2024
A journey through painting and photography. From the expressive paintings of Pablo Picasso and Paula Rego, to striking photographs by Hiroshi Sugimoto and Jeff Wall, you will see how these two distinct mediums have shaped each other over time.
Our Theatre Recommendations
Dear England
Olivier Theatre, National Theatre – Until 11 August 2023
Written by James Graham (the gifted author of ‘Quiz’, ‘Sherwood’, and ‘Ink’) this unusual play has as its subject Gareth Southgate, the England football team manager, with Joseph Fiennes taking on the lead role. We, the audience, are left to decide for ourselves about Southgate and his touchy-feely approach to managing the team. The writing means that the play is accessible to all, not just those with footie knowledge, as it covers weighty subjects including toxic masculinity and discrimination. And, weirdly, it moves you to tears! Brilliant.
Cabaret –
The Playhouse Theatre – Until 17 December 2023
The Kit Kat Club envelops you from the moment you step inside. This is an inventive, intriguing, sexy new version of the decadent musical. Brilliant from start to finish, it’s a must-see – one of the greatest pieces of theatre in the West End today. You really do feel like you’re in a sumptuous nightclub, surrounded by captivating performers. There’s a sense of confrontation and mischief about the whole thing, as events in the pre-war Berlin bar track Germany’s descent into darkness. Astounding
Crazy For You –
Gillian Lynne Theatre – Until 20 Jan 2024
Charlie Stemp has really matured to become a true star of musical theatre. He plays Bobby, the banker with a heart of gold, sent to foreclose on a small town theatre. And he is sensational. His dancing, from smooth waltz to frenzied tap, is sublime; and his Norman Wisdom style goofball comedy is brilliant. Indeed the whole production is magnificent: a feast of infectious melodies, fabulous dancing, and irresistible comedy. Musicals don’t get much better than this…
New Restaurant openings
Mountain
Soho
Tomos Parry (the man behind Brat in Shoreditch) has opened a wood grill and wine bar, which they say reflects Tomos’ favourite meals from journeys across Spain over recent years. That will be paired with his local sourcing from fishermen and farmers in Wales and Cornwall, echoing what he does with Brat.
Avocado Show
Covent Garden
The Avocado Show originally came from Amsterdam. As you can imagine from the name, avocados play a big role here. A lot of that excitement was down to the very insta-friendly dishes that they’ve come up with using avocados and that’s the gist of what they’ve brought to London.
Tendril
Mayfair
Described as Plant-First Dining & Drinking, Tendril showcases what’s possible in plant-first food. Moving the conversation on from fake meat and heavily processed ‘plant based’ ingredients, they’re putting vegetables back in the spotlight. They serve a set menu throughout the week, an a la carte menu from Monday to Wednesday, and late long brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
