Things To Do Today In London: Tuesday 16 July 2019

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Things to do

Nomad Cinema comes to Citypoint Plaza

EH SHEPHARD: Illustrator EH Shephard is best known for his work on AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh books, but he was a cartoonist in his own right too. This new exhibition showcases some of his cartoon work, including drawings done for Punch Magazine over the 50 years he worked there. He specialised in astute political cartoons, particularly during the second world war. Chris Beetles Gallery (Mayfair), free, just turn up, 16 July-10 August

CHOCOLATE TOUR: Indulge in 2.5 hours of chocolate bliss on this cocoa-themed tour of Mayfair. The whistlestop tour of the history of chocolate in the area covers the Queen's favourite treats, modern European chocolatiers with outlandish flavours such as beer, and the spiritual home of Roald Dahl — with plenty of samples along the way. Conduit Street, £46, book ahead, 10am-1pm (sponsor)

MAYFLOWER JOURNEY: Next year marks 400 years since the Mayflower set sail from England for America. The celebrations begin early with the Southwark Splash, a concert by Southwark primary school children telling the tale of the historic voyage. Today's concert covers the first half of the tale — you'll have to return next year for the rest. Southbank Centre, £5, book ahead, 1pm/6pm

Take a chocolate tour of Mayfair

ASYLUM ARCHITECTURE: Psychiatrist and filmmaker Dr Khaldoon Ahmed talks about the construction of asylums in the 19th century, in light of the current redevelopment of Springfield Hospital. Hear about the architecture of the building, and how it is representative of attitudes towards mental health at the time. Tooting Library, free, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm

WHAT PAGE ARE YOU ON?: Book podcast What Page Are You On? offers a live recording. Hosts Bethany Rutter and Alice Slater chat to author Lucie McKnight Hardy. She discusses her folk-horror debut novel Water Shall Refuse Them, about young, rural life during the heat-wave of the mid-seventies. Foyles Charing Cross Road, £14/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8pm

NOMAD CINEMA: The ever-wandering Nomad Cinema parks up in the City for a night, for a screening of 1959 film Some Like It Hot. Marilyn Monroe stars in the movie about two struggling musicians who witness the St Valentine's Day Massacre and go on the run from the Mob. Citypoint (Moorgate), £13.50, book ahead, 7pm

Origin of the Pieces at Wilton's

BANKNOTES: Sarah John, Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, offers an insight into what's being done to make the new £50 notes less susceptible to fraud. Find out about the science behind creating a banknote, and some of the scientists who were nominated as the face of the note (now revealed as Alan Turing). Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

ORIGIN OF THE PIECES: Performer and music producer Steve Pretty takes a Darwin-esque look at the evolution of music, from prehistoric bone flutes to the cutting-edge organic speed chill-hop Gabba scene. Part theatre, part lesson and part rock gig, the show also explores why music is important across all cultures — and what actually counts as music. Wilton's (Limehouse), £6-£15, book ahead, 7.30pm

SPOKEN NERD: Author Matt Parker headlines tonight's An Evening Of Unnecessary Detail. He talks about some of the stories covered in his new book, Humble Pi, about mathematical mistakes which literally changed lives. Comedians Timandra Harkness and Bec Hill also appear. Backyard Comedy Club (Bethnal Green), £8.88/£11.11, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm

LEVEL UP HUMAN: If you could redesign humans, what would you come up with? With all the ways we can now upgrade our bodies, from robotic limbs to bionic eyes, two science experts and members of the public put forward their pitches for a to-do list for humanity. Biologist and broadcaster Simon Watt and comedian Rach Wheeley judge the efforts. Barbican, free, book ahead, 7.45pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.

Here's a bit of a puzzle. The signs have gone up on Farringdon Crossrail (Elizabeth line) station, but they're all in lower case (technically, sentence case). Traditionally, underground stations use entirely uppercase on their name boards, so this looks a little weird. Now, the Elizabeth line isn't officially part of the underground, which might explain the font choice. However, TfL's own mock-ups show Farringdon in upper case. Is it a temporary sign? Has TfL decided to ditch the capitals? What gives?

I mean, I could phone up TfL's press office, but it's more fun to put this peculiarity out there, and see if anyone knows the answer. Find me on Twitter @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity is one of the good causes still looking for people to take part in the London Triathlon on its behalf. You can either sign up for a relay place on Team Ramsay — headed up by Gordon and Tana Ramsay — or take part in the whole event. Find out more and sign up.

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