Things To Do This Week In London: 21-27 January 2019

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Things to do this week is sponsored by The France Show.

All week

Last chance to see Modern Couples at Barbican. © John Philips / Getty Images

MODERN COUPLES: It's the final week of Modern Couples, an exhibition which looks at love, infidelity and polyamory among couples who inspire each other in creative ways. Barbican, £16, book ahead, until 27 January

FASHIONED FROM NATURE: Also ending this week is Fashioned From Nature, the V&A's exhibition which looks at the link between fashion and the natural world from 1600 to the present day, including the use of feathers and fur. It may make you think twice about some of your fashion choices, but it also looks to the future with new technological solutions. V&A Museum (South Kensington), £12, book ahead, until 27 January

THE FAVOURITE: Costumes from new film The Favourite, worn by Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are on display at Kensington Palace. It's also a chance to get an insight into the history behind the film. Kensington Palace, included in admission, booking advised, until 8 March

VAULT FESTIVAL: Waterloo's Vault Festival launches this week, bringing two months of theatre, comedy, circus and other shows to the tunnels beneath Waterloo station. Check out the full programme and get booking. Waterloo Vaults, various prices, book ahead, 23 January-17 March

BURNS NIGHT: Plenty of events are going on this week to celebrate Burns Night, from special meals to ceilidhs. Take a look at our picks of the best Burns Night events.

Monday 21 January

CHARLIE BROWN: Get a late night look at the Peanuts exhibition at Somerset House. Various events including talks, tours and workshops are going on in the gallery too, offering a deeper look at the philosophical aspect of the exhibition. Somerset House, £19/£16, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm

SOCIAL MEDIA: Journalist Katherine Ormerod talks about her book, Why Social Media Is Ruining Your Life, over canapés and drinks. If you spend too much time on Instagram or Twitter, you'll leave the event reassured that you're not the only one. Sartoria (Savile Row), £25, book ahead, 6.30pm

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: Humans and their dogs are invited to this pooch-friendly screening of Little Miss Sunshine, which raises money for animal charity The Wild At Heart Foundation. Doggy treats are provided. South Place Hotel (Liverpool Street), £20, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm

BRANDING TALK: Find out why branding and the existence of brands is essential to our economy, according to Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK. After his talk, he answers audience questions, and there's a chance to explore the museum after hours too. Museum of Brands (Ladbroke Grove), £29, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm

Tuesday 22 January

See Dad's Army recreated on stage

DAD'S ARMY: Based on the BBC sitcom, Dad's Army Radio Show sees two actors play a total of 25 characters between them, based on the original scripts. Wilton's Music Hall, £13.50-£25, book ahead, 22 January-26 February

MUSEUM YOGA: Start your day with a yoga class in a museum surrounded by the displays. It's aimed at all levels of yoga, and aims to improve posture, breathing and circulation. Museum of Brands (Ladbroke Grove), £12, book ahead, 7.45am


Sponsor message

A fabulously French day out

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The France Show, the UK's largest celebration of France, is coming to Olympia London, 25-27 January, for three days of expert talks, tastings, and entertainment. Get tipsy with the Wine Tipster, indulge your wanderlust with esteemed travel writer Anthony Peregrine and, if you're dreaming of a more permanent move across the channel, hear author Janine Marsh's top tips for expats. The France Show also hosts the nation's largest French property exhibition, if you're in the market for a new chateau.

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Wednesday 23 January

Let your hair down at a silent disco

RELAXED VIEW: This relaxed private view of Science Museum's exhibition The Sun: Living With Our Star is for people living with Tourette Syndrome and their families. Learn about the history and science of the sun, then bask in its light in a deckchair. Science Museum, £7, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm

SILENT DISCO: Ain't no party like a silent disco party so liven up humpday at this club night with a difference. Aimed at people who like dancing but don't like the chaos of regular clubbing, the event is capped at 35 people, meaning plenty of room on the dancefloor, no drunk people, and choice of music channels. Trapeze (Shoreditch), from £10, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

Thursday 24 January

CULT CLASSIC: Watch 1990 film King of New York, about a psychotic drug lord who leaves prison intending to share his money with the poor, but finds that the streets have changed while he was incarcerated. The screen is followed by a salon-style discussion. Genesis Cinema (Mile End), £9/£8/£5.50, book ahead, 6.40pm

TONGUE FU: Poets, comedians, rappers and storytellers could all be on the bill at Tongue Fu, a spoken word and music night. Tonight it's the turn of poet and musician Zena Edwards, writer Ross Sutherland, and playwright Caroline Bird. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £9/£7, book ahead, 8pm

BOWIE TRIBUTE: Wall to Wall Bowie is what we're promised at Hideaway Jazz Club tonight, the first of three consecutive nights dedicated to the Starman. A variety of musicians put their own imaginative twists on some of his best-known tracks. Hideaway (Streatham), £15, book ahead, 8.30pm

Friday 25 January

Behind the scenes at the National Archives

BEHIND THE SCENES: Join a guided tour behind the scenes at the National Archives, the official archive of the UK government. Find out how records are kept and maintained as you go deep into the repositories. National Archives (Kew), £10, book ahead, 11am

PARK SECRETS: Find out how St James's Park is maintained and hear some secrets and history of the park itself, and the surrounding area, on this walking tour. St James's Park, £10, book ahead, 1.15pm-2.45pm

FRIDAY LATE: Strawberry Hill House is open late for a chance to see the Lost Treasures exhibition without the usual daytime crowds. Theatrical guides take on the role of Horace Walpole — who designed the house — and and his housekeeper, to show you around. Strawberry Hill House (Twickenham), £16, book ahead, 6pm-9pm

HER SHOULDERS: On Her Shoulders tells the story of 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad, whose community was stormed by ISIS in 2014, with many people massacred and others forced into sex slavery. She escaped, but faced insensitive and personal questioning on her arrival in Europe, under international scrutiny which is examined in this documentary. Bertha DocHouse (Curzon Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm (screened again tomorrow)

Saturday 26 January

Watch the World Championship of Ping Pong

PING PONG: Watch the World Championship of Ping Pong at Alexandra Palace and witness the skill and power of the world's best players — you never know, you might learn some tricks to help you in your next beer pong match. Alexandra Palace, £12.10-£19.25, book ahead, 26-29 January

SIGN LANGUAGE TOUR: The Tower of London offers British Sign Language tours of its buildings and exhibits, led by trained BSL interpreters. The tours are available roughly once a month, and begin at the Welcome Centre. Tower of London, included in admission price, booking recommended, 10.30am/2pm

HENDRIX TALKS: Guitar players and music lovers are invited to take part in an hour long discussion about how Jimi Hendrix used the guitar and changed the way we think about music. Today, focus is specifically on his unique approach to chords and ‘rhythm playing’. Handel & Hendrix (Mayfair), £12, book ahead, 11am

FLEETWOOD BAC: No tickets for Fleetwood Mac's summer tour? You'll have to make do with tribute band Fleetwood Bac instead. They replicate a full Fleetwood Mac show, in the style of the band from the 1970s and 80s. The Half Moon (Putney), £13/£15, book ahead, 8pm

Sunday 27 January

Hear from Robert Opie at the Museum of Brands.

OLIVER TWIST: Walk from the Dickens Museum to the Old Bailey on a guided tour which covers places and people that inspired Charles Dickens when he was writing Oliver Twist. Sights include the spot where Oliver is accused of robbing Mr Brownlow as he browses at a bookstall, and streets where Dickens set Fagin’s den of thieves. Dickens Museum (Bloomsbury), £10, book ahead, 11am

BRANDS TALK: Head to the Museum of Brands to hear founder Robert Opie talk about why he started the museum, how it has evolved, and where his own fascination with consumer products began. Museum of Brands (Ladbroke Grove), £9/£8.10, book ahead, 2pm

MOZART'S BIRTHDAY: London Mozart Players mark Mozart's birthday with a concert of one of his best-loved works, Clarinet Concerto. Clarinet virtuoso Michael Collins also performs — and by complete coincidence, he himself shares a birthday with the composer. St John's Smith Square (Pimlico), £12-£55, book ahead, 4pm

LIFE DRAWING: Get your sketch on at this life drawing class in the Union Chapel bar, which has five models doing yoga, acrobatics and other poses. It's all very relaxed, with music and drinks, and materials are provided.  Union Chapel (Islington), £21/£15, book ahead,6pm