Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 4 May 2016

Today's Things To Do In London is sponsored by the National Theatre — scroll down to find out about their dazzling new show, Les Blancs.

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Find out about Michaela Strachan's work filming orangutans. (see below). Image: Anand Wills

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Things to do today:  

SLOT MACHINES: Find out What The Butler Saw, visit the Chiropodist or call Barry White's Love Line. Holborn's Novelty Automation Arcade is a nostalgic trip back to the times of seaside slot machines. Test out a variety of automata for yourself at this unique museum. Free (pay for tokens), just turn up, 11am-6pm

LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Football and maths — do they really go together? Head to Waterstones Tottenham Court Road to find out how the beautiful game is filled with numbers, patterns and sums. Join David Sumpter as he reveals the inner workings of Britain's most popular game. £3, prebook, 1pm

PUBSCI: The science curious, PubSci, invite Dr Henry Nicholls — journalist and narcopleptic — to discuss the challenges of living with one of the world's most confusing conditions. Find out more about this mysterious neurological discorder at the Old Kings Head. Free, just turn up, 6pm

Grab a cake with the Bake Off winner today at Asia House

BAKE OFF WINNER: Asia House welcomes the Great British Bake Off winner, Nadiya Hussain, to talk about her time on the show and what's next for her, with journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown — plus lots of free cake from Patisserie Valerie. £12, prebook, 6.45pm

More things to do after today's sponsor.


See a dazzling new production at the National Theatre for just £15

Yaël Farber's spectacular new production of Lorraine Hansberry's masterpiece Les Blancs has been sweeping great reviews since opening at the National Theatre. A breathtaking story of race and identity, this powerful play confronts the hope and tragedy of revolution, as one family and a nation fall apart under the pressure to determine their own identity.

A theatrical search for the soul in post-colonial Africa, Les Blancs marks the National Theatre debut of multi-award-winning director, Yaël Farber (The Crucible at The Old Vic, Nirbhaya).

Don't miss a chance to see a brave and powerful play still relevant to our world today.

Get your Travelex £15 tickets for the final few weeks of this landmark production of Les Blancs, 4 May- 2 June 2016

Today's Things To Do In London is sponsored by the National Theatre.


MICHAELA STRACHAN: There isn't much that TV wildlife expert, Michaela Strachan doesn't know about animals. From her 30-year career starting on The Really Wild Show to her work on Springwatch, she discusses her life and love of animals at the Royal Geographical Society. £10, prebook, 7pm

DAN WALSH: One of the UK's finest banjo players, Dan Walsh is the real deal when it comes to strumming a tune. Hear his eclectic and exciting music at Cecil Sharp House this evening. £12/£10, prebook, 7pm

COMEDY: Laugh off any midweek blues at the Charterhouse Bar with David Whitney, Matt Smith (no, not that one), Susan Steed and many more masters of funniness. £7.70, prebook, 7pm

SCI FI CABARET: It's the most sci-fi friendly day of the year (May the fourth, geddit?) so May The Farce be with you at tonight's cabaret show. Bethnal Green Working Men's Club present a mash-up of music, comedy — even belly dancing with a sci-fi twist. Intrigued? Us too. £8 (+bkg fee), prebook, 8pm


Good cause of the day

There's still time to get involved in the British Red Cross Red Shoe Walk this May. Supporting people in need worldwide, from refugee crises to victims of terror attacks, the British Red Cross has been doing good since 1863. Throw on your red threads and get ready to walk an adventure through the heart of London, with games and activities along the way. Registration costs just £10 and you can sign up on theBritish Red Cross website. 7 May