Things To Do Today In London: Monday 11 November 2019
Things to do
WINTER CINEMA: Southbank Centre's Winter Pop-Up Cinema launches today, playing a variety of family films and festive classics in the run-up to Christmas. Kick things off with Home Alone, Moana or Dirty Dancing. Southbank Centre, various prices, book ahead, 11 November-29 December
TINY TROOPERS: Under-5s and their carers are invited to an activity session on the theme of poppies and Remembrance. Tiny Troopers is a monthly sensory experience, with a different theme every time. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5, book ahead, 10am/11.20am
BYOB POTTERY: Take a spin on a pottery wheel at this beginner's pottery experience. Start with a tour of the studio to get an overview of the whole experience, then master the potter's wheel, and fire your creation. Finish up with a painting session. It's BYOB so stop by the shops on the way. Southwark (address provided on booking), £38, book ahead, 11am/1pm/4.30pm/6.30pm (sponsor)
DAILY SHAKESPEARE: Shakespeare for every day of the year? It's possible. Poetry curator Allie Esiri's latest collection consists of Shakespearean scenes, sonnets and speeches highlighting key moments and dates through the year. Tonight's show features actors including Simon Russell Beale and Hattie Morahan reading from the anthology. National Theatre, £9/£6, book ahead, 6pm
THEATRE COSTUMES: Hear from staff in the National Theatre's costume department about how they create and care for the costumes used in productions. Aoife Monks, curators of the current costume exhibition, chairs a panel including the Head of Costume and Deputy Head of Costume. National Theatre, £9/£6, book ahead, 6pm
COMEDY: Comedian James Veitch tests out new material at tonight's Angel Comedy. Expect slides, and maybe even a story he's written. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 6pm-7.45pm
CHARITY GALA: The cast of musical Falsettos put on a gala performance in aid of HIV/AIDS charity The Make A Difference Trust. Begin with a drinks and canapé reception hosted by Claudia Winkleman, and finish the evening with a post-show Q&A with the cast, hosted by Gaby Roslin. The Other Palace (Victoria), £75, book ahead, 6.30pm
DOCKS AFTER DARK: Grab a lantern and your brave face and head out east to tour London's docks after dark. A Museum of London Docklands guide tells spooky stories of men, women and children who worked in the docks, as you visit some of most 'haunted' spots in the museum's 200-year old warehouse building. Tour is partly outside, so dress for the weather. Museum of London Docklands, £25, book ahead, 6.30pm
FEMINIST PUB QUIZ: The north London branch of gender equality charity The Fawcett Society hosts its first feminist pub quiz. Turn up with a team of up to six, or fly solo and be put into a team on the night. There are prizes to be won, and money raised goes back to the charity. The Star of Kings (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
CRUICKSHANK'S LONDON: Historian Dan Cruickshank talks about his new book, Cruickshank's London. It's about historic walks covering all corners of the city, and tells little known stories including the West Ham churches inscribed with the occult symbols of the Knights Templar, and the features of Tower Bridge that were included to appease Queen Victoria’s temper. £30/£8, book ahead, 7.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
My Roundel of the Week is something I chanced across near King's Cross recently. This beautiful piece of street art decorates a wall on Cromer Street, and was created by artist Mohammad Ali for this year's Bloomsbury Festival. Who'd have thought a bin store could make such a perfect canvas? Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for the ArtCan Christmas quiz and fundraiser on 20 November. The charity — for which Londonist Visual Arts Editor Tabish Khan is a trustee —supports up-and-coming artists, enabling them to establish their practice through a support network. The fundraising event involves trivia, raffle prizes and an art auction — find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- TfL to undertake urgent review of London minicab drivers.
- Underground West End car park to be turned into £100million shopping complex.
- The UK's most powerful telescope has been unveiled in London.
