Things To Do This Week In London: 16-22 April 2018

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All week

Gin-themed cabaret from the land down under.

HALF BREED: Natasha Marshall’s much hyped semi-autobiographical show returns to Soho Theatre. A dark comedy about finding your voice, Half Breed was nominated for best new play at the 2017 UK Theatre Awards. Soho Theatre (Dean Street), £14, book ahead, 3pm/7.30pm 16 April-21 April

VR THEATRE: Plunge into the world of Frogman, a coming-of-age supernatural thriller in which live performance is enmeshed with virtual reality. Strap on a VR headset and be transported to a groundbreaking subterranean world of storytelling. Artsdepot (Finchley) £14/£16, book ahead, 6.30pm/8.30pm, 17-21 April

ODE TO GIN: Equal parts historical and hysterical, Mother's Ruin: a Cabaret about Gin is, well, exactly what it says on the tin. But it's also much more than that—through the music of Tom Waits, Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse, two Aussie cabaret stars celebrate women who have been wiped from history, and the tipple that steadied their nerves. The Other Palace (Westminster), from £20, book ahead, 8pm-9pm, 17-21 April

SPRING ANTIQUES FAIR: A rich selection of curiosities and fine antiques await at the Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair. There are over 150 exhibitors lined up, with wonders dating back to the 16th century. Battersea Evolution (Battersea Park), £10/free entry if you register, book ahead, 17-22 April

Monday 16 April

Molière's comedy of manners gets modernised.

BRAND NEW THINKING: In a city bursting with brands, how can you make yours a success? Find out at the Museum of Brands where experts in applied semiotics will reveal the hidden cultural power of images and symbols to help you stay relevant and stand out. You'll get after-hours access to the museum's collections and a drinks reception to boot. Museum of Brands (Ladbroke Grove), £21.11, book ahead, 6pm-8.15pm

MAYA ANGELOU: A night celebrating the life and literary activism of the late, great Maya Angelou. Hear from her UK editor, Lennie Goodings, and writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch, and enjoy readings by Girl from the North Country star Sheila Atim. Wilton's Music Hall (Whitechapel), from £8, book ahead, 7.30pm

THE MISANTHROPE: A celebrated fashion photographer barricades himself in his studio to escape the pretension of London's style scene in this radical reimagining of Molière's famous farce. Our hero's problem? He's just too damn talented. Theatro Technis (King's Cross), £16, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Tuesday 17 April

After a politically tumultuous two years, Bridget Christie asks What Now?

VEGAN PIZZA NIGHT: A cruelty-free diet can be tricky for junk food junkies. Luckily Pizza Pilgrims is turning vegan tonight. Devour toppings like purple basil pesto and creamy dairy-free cheese. They've even got a Not-ella pizza pudding for all you chocolate fiends. Pizza Pilgrims (Shoreditch), £7,  5pm-8pm

SKIN DEEP: Author, geneticist and skin cancer specialist Dr Paul Sharad reveals the secrets of our skin and society's role in shaping the human genome. With a particular focus on European and Asian skin types and the race myth, he'll explore our genes as blueprints, rather than our destiny. Asia House (New Cavendish Street), £10, book ahead, 6.45pm

BRIDGET CHRISTIE: Self-confessed member of the metropolitan elite and star of her very own Netflix show Bridget Christie warms up for her brand new tour What Now? She's talking Brexit, Trump and nuclear apocalypse, so it's sure to be a barrel of laughs. Museum of Comedy (Bloomsbury), £10, book ahead, 8.30pm, until 18 April

Wednesday 18 April

Drink wine and make pop art.

SUNRISE YOGA: Yoga in the walkways of Tower Bridge is back with another early morning vinyasa-flow class. Take in spectacular sunrise views from 42 metres above the River Thames. Daring practitioners can even position themselves on the glass walkways and watch the hustle and bustle of rush hour go by below. Tower Bridge Exhibition, £25, book ahead, 7.30am-8.20am

STROLL THROUGH SOHO: From its very beginning, Soho was a melting pot of different cultures, with immigrants from all over the world bringing their crafts, style and the occasionally scandal to the district's hallowed streets. Celebrate 350 years of Soho immigration on this guided walk, featuring an atmospheric graveyard, a reckless 'king' and a boozy debrief. Meet at Tottenham Court Road Tube Station (Exit One), from £10/£7, just turn up, 6.30pm-8.30pm

POP ART PAINTING: With a paintbrush in one hand and a wine glass in the other, you're all set to make a masterpiece at PopUp painting. This time, you'll create a pop art portrait of Amy Winehouse, right here in her old stomping ground of Camden. The Roundhouse (Camden), £26.99, book ahead, 7.45pm-10.15pm

Thursday 19 April

Create a celestial masterpiece at a very special life-drawing class.

STREET FOOD AND SCREENING: Start your adventure with cocktails and street food in the Brunel Museum garden, before descending into the world’s oldest railway tunnel shaft for a film screening. How’s that for a cinema experience? Brunel Museum (Rotherhithe), £25, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm (partner)

CELESTIAL SKETCHING: Up for an evening of life drawing at a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Head to the Old Royal Naval College's majestic Painted Hall where Art Macabre will take you on a journey of celestial discovery. Sketch heavenly bodies and live models who embody myths of the sun, moon, stars and zodiac, while listening to a dreamy soundtrack. Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College (Greenwich), £25, book ahead, 7pm-9pm

SEA SHANTIES: All aboard the Golden Hinde for a global folk music spectacular. Worldwide Welshman will be joined by a talented troupe of musicians from all over the world to perform original material and folk songs below deck on the historic ship. The Golden Hinde (St Mary Overie Dock), £7.50 in advance/£10, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

NOSFERATU: Find out how seminal silent horror movie Nosferatu was raised from the dead after being banned in 1922. A thinly veiled adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, all copies of the German Expressionist masterpiece were meant to be destroyed after the author's estate took legal action. Discover the challenges of digitally restoring the film with but a few surviving copies to work from and get involved in the digital v. analogue debate. The Horse Hospital (Colonnade Bloomsbury), £11, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

MUSICAL BINGO: Indeedy's legendary musical bingo night returns to its spiritual home of Drink, Shop & Do. Instead of boring old numbers, cross off songs as you hear them for the chance to win prizes including champagne, vintage records and, er, an inflatable banana. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £15, book ahead, 7.30pm

Friday 20 April

Step into the wilderness at Dulwich Picture Gallery.

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS: See spectacular imagery from around the globe at the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards exhibition. As well as snaps from every genre imaginable, there's also an exclusive selection of large-scale colour work by Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient, Candida Höfer. Somerset House, from £10, book ahead, until 6 May

DESIGNER SALE: Lust after quirky ceramics, luxury PJs, unique homeware and delicate jewellery at this designer sale curated by Ros Badger of Badger's Velvet. The Department Store (Brixton), £2 entry, just turn up, 6pm-9pm, until 21 April

WILDERNESS: Take a walk on the wild side at Dulwich Picture Gallery. They're staying up late to celebrate the natural world, with a foraging workshop, botanical crafting and pop up talks. Plus, cocktail connoisseurs Gimlet Bar will provide your evening libations. Dulwich Picture Gallery, from £10, book ahead, 6pm-10pm

SOME VOICES: Experience London's coolest choir at the ultimate end of the world party. Some Voices bring 800 singers to rock the Copperbox Arena with hits from Prince, David Bowie, Radiohead, MGMT and Bjork for a fully immersive dystopia-themed show. The Copperbox Arena (Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park), £19, book ahead, 7pm-12am

Saturday 21 April

Make your own herbal tea blends on National Tea Day.

FOOD FORAGING: Fancy yourself as a bit of a Bear Grylls type? Learn how to survive the harsh environs of Hackney by discovering the delicacies growing on your doorstep with wild food forager James Woods. You'll leave knowing how to safely identify a wide range of plants and try up to 30 pre-made tasters, including  syrup infusions, chutney and jams, along the way. Meet at Strikers Cafe, Hackney Marshes Centre (Homerton), £28.75, book ahead, 11am-2pm

FEAST OF ST GEORGE: The Mayor of London's annual celebration of England's patron saint returns to Trafalgar Square. BBC Radio's Abbie McCarthy is MC for an eclectic programme of music, including a 25-piece brass band. Elsewhere on the Square you'll find kids arts workshops, vintage rides and a very friendly dragon. Trafalgar Square, free entry, just turn up, noon-6pm

BUCKET RACE: Race against the clock to complete a series of wacky challenges that will show you London's hidden gems at this epic scavenger hunt. Bring your mates or meet new people by joining a team on the day. Meet at The Crown, Brewer Street (Soho), £10, book ahead, 12pm-5pm

TEA MAKING: Make your own delicious herbal tea blend at National Trust treasure Sutton House, in celebration of National Tea Day. After learning which herbs complement each other while demolishing homemade cakes, you'll take home a unique set of tea bags made by your own fair hands. Sutton Hose (Hackney), £20, book ahead, 1pm-3pm

KNIT YOUR BITS: A creative workshop where textiles meets human anatomy. Artist Rosina Godwin will help you push the boundaries of sculptural knitting as you craft pieces inspired by real and imaginary body parts. Leyden Gallery (Whitechapel), £11.57, book ahead, 4pm-6pm

Sunday 22 April

A silent film screening celebrating the Big Smoke.

VICTORIAN HAIR ART: Make your own macabre accessory and discover the lost art of Victorian hair work. Head to the weird and wonderful Last Tuesday Society where Freyia will show you how to make a brooch from human hair, just as was done in the 19th century to remember loved ones living and dead. Last Tuesday Society (Cambridge Heath), £35, book ahead, 10am-1pm

SILENT FILM: Take a poetic journey through the capital with London Symphony, a contemporary silent film that celebrates the city's rich diversity of culture, architecture and religion. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion about the film and other representations of cities on screen. Picturehouse Central (Piccadilly Circus), £8, book ahead, 1pm

SINGLETONS SHUFFLEBOARD: If you became obsessed with curling during the Winter Olympics you're going to love Shuffleboard. Little Shuffle Club may not be Pyeongchang, but there's still a chance you'll find the Virtue to your Moir. Woo other singletons with your shuffling skills, or bond over gigantic pizzas and yummy cocktails. Little Shuffle Club (Shoreditch), £30, book ahead, 3pm-6pm

ARAB QUARTERLY: Be dazzled by longstanding Arab music and dance show The Arab Quarterly. There's belly dancing, the best loved Arabian songs and plenty of audience participation. Hoxton Hall (Hackney), £24, book ahead, 6.30pm