Things To Do This Week In London: 21 May-27 May 2018

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All week

Your move: a former prisoner challenges the greatest chess player in the world to a match.

TEA AND HISTORY: Many happy returns to St Pancras International, which turns 150 this year and is inviting you to get in on the celebrations. Hear fascinating tales from the station's long and illustrious history, before digesting your new-found knowledge with a traditional afternoon tea atFortnum & Mason. St Pancras International, £45, book ahead, 21 May-15 June

BOMBSHELL: Some say funny woman Tiff Stevenson oscillates wildly between Sylvia Plath and Beyonce. Others think of her as more of a drunken aunt type. Decide for yourself at her critically acclaimed eighth solo show, in which she takes on a world on fire. Soho Theatre, £10-£15, 8.45pm, 21-26 May

SCI-FI DOUBLE FEATURE: Binge the best in science fiction theatre from Horatio Productions. They're hosting five days of talks, Q&As, and plays exploring robotics, AI, genetic engineering, and all sorts of other imagined futures. The Space Arts Centre (Isle of Dogs), from £12, book ahead, 22-26 May

THE CHESS PLAYER: After stealing a book of chess matches while held in solitary confinement within a Nazi jail, a prisoner divides his consciousness into two feuding chess masters. On his escape, he dares himself to take on the greatest player in the world. This contemporary reimagining of Stefan Zweig's classic novella won rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe. OSO Arts Centre (Barnes), £15, book ahead, 8pm, 22-26 May

Monday 21 May

A flow yoga class that's a breath of fresh air.

PARK YOGA: Ditch the gym in favour of some alfresco exercise amid the natural beauty of Hyde Park. Avni Dhanani, a qualified yoga practitioner specialising in Ashtanga and Vinyasa, is hosting this series of fortnightly sessions to help you find a moment of calm and connect with nature while working out. The LookOut (Hyde Park), £15, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

MEMOIR OF A MURDERER: The tables have turned on Byung-su, a ruthless serial killer turned elderly Alzheimer's sufferer for whom remembering his past becomes a matter of life and death. This fragmented thriller was a big hit a the Korean box office — see what you make of it at this teaser screening. Regent Street Cinema, £8, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm

SEE YOU IN HELL: Three strangers wake to find themselves in a dark room with little else but an audience watching them (that's you!) and a malevolent host who's giving nothing away. Naturally, they assume they've ended up in hell. Follow these lost souls as they try to figure out how and why they died in Tales from the Phantasmagoria, a new improvised horror-comedy. Old Red Lion Theatre (Islington), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm

Tuesday 22 May

Make the mother of all dough with The Bread Companion.

YEAST IN THE EAST: Dough not miss out on this crash course in bread-making, where you'll learn how to whip up all manner of sourdough goodies. From Middle Eastern focaccia, to lavender sourdough, there's plenty to sink your teeth into. Plus they'll let you bring your own booze. HOST of Leyton, £37, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm

WALKING WITH WOLLSTONECRAFT: Explore Southwark through the eyes of revolutionary feminist hero Mary Wollstonecraft. On a stroll that takes you from the banks of the River Thames to St Paul's Courtyard, you'll discover 18th century London in a radical new light. Meet at Southwark tube station, £6, book ahead,  6pm-8pm

COMPLICITE COOKS: Spices and sweetness collide at this evening of stories, cooking, music, and tastings all the way from Syria. Pals and passionate cooks Dina Mousawi and Itab Azzam will demonstrate recipes from their acclaimed cookbook Syria: Recipes From Home, while telling tales of the women they met along the way. Tara Theatre (Earlsfield), £17.50, book ahead, 7.30pm

PAINT LIKE BANKSY: You don't need to venture out under the cover of darkness, stencils in hand, to paint like the world's most illusive and iconic street artist. Instead create a masterpiece themed around the Banksy-inspired Umbrella Girl by Charlotte Ellinas while drinking wine at an elegant Victorian bistro. Davy's (Canary Wharf), £27.99, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

Wednesday 23 May

Blossom into a floral arrangement expert.

FLORISTRY MASTERCLASS: Aptly-named florist Lizzie Thorne is here to show you the tricks of the trade. Make a beautiful bouquet of expertly arranged fresh flowers in a vase to add a touch of sophistication to your gaff. Martello Hall (Hackney), £40.75, book ahead, 6.30pm-8.30pm

PRONOUN TROUBLE: Ben Moor's stream-of-consciousness stand-up show covers his favourite words, Chuck Jones cartoons, and the conflicting denominations of launderettes and laundrettes. Don't worry about getting lost, though — there's an accompanying powerpoint presentation to keep you on track. Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar (Highbury Corner), £8.50, book ahead, 7.30pm-8.30pm, until 1 June

TJ JOHNSON: Hear songs of love lost and gained, performed with the boozy swagger of someone who has been there, done that and got the t-shirt. TJ Johnson, one of the UK's finest jazz and blues singers , brings his backing band of top British musicians to London. St Martin in the Fields (Trafalgar Square), £15, book ahead, 8pm-10pm

Thursday 24 May

Go bananas for a bingo night that's nothing like your granny's.

FRIDA KAHLO ART SALON: Explore the style, loves and art of the 'Frida Phenomenon' over coffee and pastries at this early morning art salon. Dr Marie-Anne Mancio will discuss the work of Frida Kahlo, as well as an indomitable cult of personality that evolved in the 60 years following her death. Art Workers' Guild (Bloomsbury), £25, book ahead, 9.45am-12pm

SOHO IN STREET NAMES: What are the stories behind Soho's famous streets?  Discover industrial glories, multicultural influences and architectural dreams at this history lesson in Soho's street names. Society of Genealogists (Islington), £8, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

HANDLEBARDS: All the world really is a stage at this bicycle-powered production of Twelfth Night (yes, we know that's an As You Like It misquote — poetic licence!) The world's first cycling theatre company is pedalling into Dulwich for an evening of cross-dressing, frivolity and (possibly pretend) drunkenness. JAGS Sports Club (Dulwich), £15, book ahead, 6.30pm

A UNIQUE CINEMA EXPERIENCE: Think all cinemas are the same? Think again: this one has got to be the coolest in the capital. Head down the 190-year-old, Grade II* listed Rotherhithe shaft — used by Brunel to aid construction of the Thames tunnel — for a film screening like no other. Brunel Museum (Rotherhithe) £25, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm (partner)

MUSICAL BINGO: Champagne, vintage records, and inflatable bananas are up for grabs in a game where every tune you tick off gets you one step closer to bingo. So listen carefully for a chance to get your hands on a decidedly mixed bag of prizes. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £15/£18, book ahead, 7.30pm-11.30pm

Friday 25 May

A weekend of Andalusian antics on South Bank.

FERIA DE LONDRES: It may not be Spain, but for one weekend only you can experience the vitality of a traditional Andalusian Feria right here in London. Prepare to be wowed by Flamenco dance displays, dine on tapas, and learn how to sip sherry like a pro at the colourful casetas popping up along the Southbank. Bernie Spain Gardens (Southbank), free entry, just turn up, 25-27 May

TIGER MOTH: Fans of folk, gypsy, and swing will be drawn to this gig like a moth to the flame. Clamber aboard Francis Drake's old ship to hear Tiger Moth's eclectic mix of tunes from the world over. The Golden Hinde (Bankside), £7.50/£10, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

PRINCE PARTY: Get ready to party like it's 1999 as Hideaway Jazz Club pays tribute to His Purple Highness. David McAlmont and Natasha Watts star on vocals as they tear through the rich back catalogue of the pop legend that is Prince. Hideaway Jazz Club (Streatham), £17.50, book ahead, 7pm-11.30pm

Saturday 26 May

Just a standard Saturday making contact with the spirit world at The London Dungeon.

SÉANCE: Do you dare place your hands on Agnes Guppy's spine-tingling ouija board? Who knows what lost souls this famed Victorian medium will conjure up from the depths of the dungeon. The London Dungeon (Lambeth), £30, book ahead, 10am-6pm, until 3 June

STORY TIME: Little ones can make beautiful masks while listening to songs and folktales with storytellers Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry. Be transported to a stormy night in an Indian forest at this reading of their new book, You're Safe With Me. Discover Children's Story Centre (Stratford), £7, book ahead, 2pm

THE GREAT GATSBY: Go full on glitz with an immersive screening of The Great Gatsby. With swinging tunes, dapper guys and flapper gals, and a bar overflowing with bootleg beverages, Prohibition has never felt so good. Upstairs at The Ritzy Cinema (Brixton), £20, book ahead, 2pm-5pm

CHERING IS CARING: How does one begin to honour the 72nd birthday of the absolute icon and indisputable Queen of Twitter that is Cher? Resistance Gallery have got you (babe). Expect high end Cherlesque, piggyback proffering cannon men, and campy costumes galore. Resistance Gallery (Bethnal Green), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm

Sunday 27 May

Go potty for plants at Green Rooms Market.

GREEN ROOMS MARKET: Let a little more greenery into your life at Peckham Springs where you can pick up a cute little succulent, freshly cut flowers, or even craft a floral headdress to channel those Wicker Man vibes. Peckham Springs (Peckham), free entry, book ahead for some events, 11am-5pm

BLASÉ MUSIC CLUB: Blasé by name, but, by the looks of this line-up, probably not blasé by nature. Afrobeat, jazz and electronica will be setting the great arches of Kachette aflame, with Anglo-Mauritian producer, singer and percussionist Mo Kolours headlining. Katchette (Shoreditch), £20, book ahead, 12pm-12am

NOT SO BASIC BRUNCH: Suffering from brunch fatigue? Add some pizzazz to the most delightfully indulgent meal of the day with the help of drag cabaret act The Paramount Sisters and classically trained dancer Margo Marshall. Prepare to be dazzled while you drink delicious cocktails and demolish pies from Pizza East (fear not, brunch purists, there's also avo on toast). Concrete Space (Shoreditch), £25, book ahead, noon-3pm

JAMILA JOHNSON-SMALL: Round off your Sunday with a cracking piece of performance theatre from Jamila Johnson-Small. The London-based artist and dancer will be coming to Reliance Square to reveal the things that exist in between cracks in time, memory and attention. Reliance Square (New Inn Yard), £10, book ahead, 9pm