All week
WINTER PHOTOS: If you've not had enough of winter yet, get yourself to the Jessops #WINter photography exhibition. For one week only, a selection of images capturing the beauty of winter will be on display. Art Bermondsey Project Space, free, book ahead, 11am-6pm, 6-12 February
ICE SKATING: Bear with us here; the Canary Wharf winter ice rink is still open for a couple more weeks, and with hundreds of LED lights beneath the surface, it makes for quite an impressive setting. It's also covered, meaning that rain won't stop play. Canary Wharf, various prices, book ahead, until 25 February
KITTY IN BOOTS: See drawings by Quentin Blake at the House of Illustration. He's better-known for illustrating Roald Dahl's work, but these drawings were intended for a recently re-discovered Beatrix Potter book, The Tale Of Kitty-In-Boots. House of Illustration, £8.25, book ahead, until 26 February
GLASTONBURY: Looking forward to festival season already? The V&A has a sound and film installation about the world-famous festival through time. The footage, which was filmed at the Worthy Farm event in 2014, shows the festival from different people's perspectives. Free, just turn up, until 26 February
ORCHIDS FESTIVAL: Kew Gardens's annual Orchids Festival is underway, with floral sculptures and colourful rickshaws to be seen, accompanied by an Indian soundscape. Kew Gardens, included in general admission, booking recommended, until 5 March
THE LONDONERS: From Lord Mayors to chimney sweeps, waitresses to wrestlers, see 400 years worth of images of Londoners at work in this exhibition, which covers the period 1447-1980. London Metropolitan Archive, free, just turn up, until 4 July
Art review: Surreal in Sussex
The breadth of this exhibition is massive, starting with icons based on classical style, right through to surreal paintings by the likes of Roland Penrose. It explores how radical artists and writers were drawn to Sussex in the first half of the 20th century. A great story backed up by some brilliant works. Sussex Modernism: Retreat and Rebellion at Two Temple Place, WC2R 3BD. Until 23 April, free. ★★★★☆ (Wednesday-Monday)
Monday 6 February
HISTORY OF SCIENCE: Cocaine and ether existed long before it was realised that they could be used for sedation. Explore the fascinating history of local anaesthesia in this lecture, where Dr Harrop-Griffiths puts a humorous spin on this element of medical history. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
ACCESSION DAY: The 65th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne is being celebrated in Green Park. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will carry out a 41 gun salute — brace yourself if you're likely to be in the area. Green Park, free, just turn up, 11.45am
Tuesday 7 February
LAUDERDALE EXPOSED: As Highgate's Lauderdale House reopens after a refurbishment, this photo exhibition shows the works that were undertaken, documenting the refurbishment as it took place. Lauderdale House, free, just turn up, 7-26 February
BRANDO & LEIGH: Catch the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams's award-winning play A Streetcar Named Desire at Regent Street Cinema. Blanche Dubois travels to New Orleans to stay with her sister and brutish brother-in-law. Regent Street Cinema, £12/£11/£8, book ahead, 6.30pm
CONCERT: Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at Barbican's Chinese New Year concert. The Shaanxi Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra, the Zhejiang Traditional Orchestra and other acts will perform traditional Chinese music. Barbican Centre, from £25, book ahead, 7.30pm
Wednesday 8 February
ROALD DAHL: It's a little-known fact that author Roald Dahl had a deep fascination with medicine. Listen to his friend and doctor, Tom Solomon, speak about the author's interest in medicine. Royal College of Physicians, free, book ahead, from 6pm (lecture starts at 6.30pm)
THE NAME'S BOND: Hear the story behind Ian Fleming's James Bond series on this James Bond and the Spies of Mayfair guided walk. Find out about the author's hometown, where he gambled and drank, and most importantly, where he found the inspiration for Bond. Marble Arch, £12, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
MUSEUM OPERA: Spend the evening being serenaded among pickled moles and the like at the Grant Museum. An improvised opera troupe will be giving musical performances about the museum's specimens, among talks from museum experts. Grant Museum of Zoology, £12, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
Thursday 9 February
THE TUDORS: Who were the Tudors? What kind of lives did they lead? Taken from the accounts of their servants, this talk about the private lives of the Tudors unveils a less glamorous side of the likes of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The National Archives, £5/£4, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
UNDER THE SEA: Despite being one of the major components of the Earth, we don't know all that much about the ocean. Join Professor Carolyn Roberts for a talk about what is actually going on in our oceans. Barnard's Inn Hall, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
IMAGINARY FRIENDS: Taking inspiration from the toy industry and pop culture, exhibition Jasmin Anoschkin: Imaginary Friends takes colourful, funny-looking sculptures and turns them into facets of magic and fun. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, until 19 February
VILLAIN: The tale of a woman who wants to make a difference, Villain follows Rachel, a woman tired of her highly paid sales job. She decides to go into social work, but soon finds herself involved in controversial case bringing her under harsh glare of the public spotlight. King's Head Theatre, from £15, book ahead, until 4 March
Stage review: Mr Swallow - Houdini. Magic. Comedy. Gold
You’ll recognise actor Nick Mohammed as the awkward IT specialist in a bit-part in Bridget Jones’s Baby, but his comedy chops won him 5* reviews and the word-of-mouth ‘must see’ hit of the 2016 Edinburgh Festival for this bizarre and perpetually hilarious contortion in which he plays a hapless actor impersonating the escapologist Houdini. Circuit comedians Kieran Hodgson and David Elms act as magician's assistants and chime in with the odd dance routine (and we mean odd). Just the tonic we all need. Mr Swallow – Houdini, Soho Theatre, Wardour Street, W1 £15-21. Until 18 February ★★★★★ Johnny Fox
Friday 10 February
LOVE: Pioneering African-American writer-director Kathleen Collins's groundbreaking work was often overlooked in her lifetime. Celebrate the publishing of her story collection, Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? with a night of her film and fiction. Waterstones Tottenham Court Road, £5, book ahead, 6.30pm
BOTTLE ROCKET: Sit back and enjoy Wes Anderson's first feature film, Bottle Rocket (1996), a caper comedy that follows friends Dignan and Anthony on a hilarious journey. Prince Charles Cinema, £10/£7.50, book ahead, 8.45pm
Saturday 11 February
HALF TERM: For most schools, half term begins today, meaning parents will be looking for ways to keep children busy for a week. For kids' theatre shows, family-friendly exhibitions, indoor energy burners, cheap dinner options and more, take a look at our guide to half term in London.
ROBOT ZOO: The Horniman Museum opens its new family-friendly exhibition today — and we're looking forward to this one. Large-scale animal models, made from machine parts and gadgets, will be used to reveal how animals work. Find out how chameleons change colour, or how bats see at night. £4/£7, advance booking recommended, until 29 October
COMEDY: In his show I'm Not Here, Mark Watson takes you through his identity crisis of 'am I successful enough' - something we can pretty much all relate to. Join Watson at the Old Vic for an evening of laughter. The Old Vic, from £12, book ahead, 9.45pm
Sunday 12 February
VALENTINE'S POEMS: Get into the Valentine's Day festivities with Afternoon Poems. Listen to readings of poems by Keats, Byron and more in the romantic surroundings of Keats House. Keats House, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
HEAVEN HELP US: Adapted for the stage by author David Almond, Heaven Eyes is a heartbreaking tale about young people trying to find their way in the world — it might make you cry. Greenwich Theatre, £12.50/£19/£7.50/£7, book ahead, 5pm
Stage review: Mr Fox packs plenty of swagger but revolting Bean steals the show
The Lyric Hammersmith makes Roald Dahl a handsome 100th birthday present of this rip-roaring reimagining of his classic story. The masterful swagger of cunning Mr Fox (Greg Barnett) is surprisingly upstaged by a revolting Bean (Richard Atwill) as he, Boggis and Bunce besiege Foxy in revenge for his incessant stealing. Forced to reassess what it means to be 'fantastic', Mr Fox unites his friends to outsmart the trio, rallied by an energetic score and imaginative set, in one of the most inventive adaptations you — or Dahl — could ever have imagined. Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, The Mall, W6. Age guidance 5+, £15-£40, until 19 February ★★★★★ Phillipa Ellis
