Things to do
EASTER HOLIDAYS: How many times have you heard 'I'm booooored' so far? Take a look at our Easter holidays guide to find ways to keep them busy, whatever their age and whatever your budget.
ORCHID SHOW: See and buy exotic and rare species of orchid at the RHS Spring Launch and Orchid Show. Experts offer tips on caring for your orchids at home, and there's a chance to get a preview of future RHS events, including this year's Chelsea Flower Show. RHS Horticultural Halls (Westminster), £5-£8, book ahead, 9-10 April
VICTORIAN ECCENTRIC: This new exhibition is a totally bizarre collection of unconventional and intriguing images, giving an alternative view of 19th century British life. They're all the work of Victorian photographer Samuel Heracles Gascoigne-Simpson and his fascinating imagination. Stories Art Gallery (Mayfair), free, 9-26 April
LIVING DEAD: Experience George A Romero's 1968 film Night of the Living Dead live at this new theatre show. It sticks to the original story of a group of strangers trapped in a Pennsylvania farmhouse, surrounded by the 'living dead' — but this time, you can choose tickets in the 'splatter zone' if you're so inclined. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £15-£40, book ahead, 9 April-17 May
DINNER IS COMING: Game of Thrones fans are in for a treat at Dinner Is Coming, an immersive dining experience based on the hit TV show — at least, as much as it can be while avoiding copyright issues. The night unfolds at the wedding of the heir of the Several Kingdoms, Jaffrey Bearathon and Margarine Trywell. What could go wrong? The Vaults (Waterloo), £30-£55, book ahead, 9 April-2 June
FREE ICE CREAM: It's Free Cone Day, an annual event in which Ben & Jerry's gives away free ice cream. Head to the Soho branch to get a free scoop of any flavour of the menu. If you can't choose, join the queue as many times as you like until you've tried them all. Ben & Jerry's Wardour Street, free, just turn up, 10am-8pm
DYING TODAY: The concept of a 'good death' is a bizarre one, but Professor Ilora Baroness Finlay of Llandaff explains all in this free lecture. She discusses how lessons from research have revolutionised care of the dying in the UK and in plenty of other places around the world, and why many are still denied the treatment they deserve. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
A DEAL WITH THE UNIVERSE: Documentary A Deal with the Universe is the story of Jason Barker and his partner Tracey’s story of how he came to give birth to his child, following them over a 15 year period. Tonight's preview screening is followed by a director Q&A. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm
SNOZZCUMBERS: From magical midnight feasts to Roald Dahl's snozzcumbers, children's literature is full of references to, and descriptions of, food, both edible and not so edible. Award-winning children's writer Katherine Rundell, food writer Tim Hayward and children’s literature critic Imogen Russell Williams join forces with children’s books expert Julia Eccleshare to discuss the role that food plays in childhood imaginations. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
MURDERER OF WARREN STREET: French revolutionary Emmanuel Barthelemy was hanged for double murder at Newgate Prison in 1855. Hear Marc Mulholland — Professor of Modern History at Oxford University — discuss his new book, The Murderer of Warren Street, which looks at the events leading up to Barthelemy's hanging. Southwark Cathedral, £3/£1, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
YORUBA SONNETS: Twice Grammy-winning Nigerian percussionist Lekan Babalola pairs up with Dr Olu Taiwo, Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts at the University of Winchester, to perform the Yoruba Sonnets. They blend Babalola's traditonal-meets-Afrobeat musical style and Taiwo's poetry and mime for a performance all about Nigerian identity. Vortex Jazz Club (Dalston), £15/£12.50, book ahead, 7.45pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
The average (mean) speed of a London Underground train is just 20.5 mph, if we include station stops. A tube train could be outpaced by a three-legged coyote. To the best of my knowledge, this scenario has never yet been tested.
Good cause of the day
Sign up now to take part in a fundraising walk around Kensington Gardens on Sunday, with money raised going to Parkinson's UK. Choose between a two mile or four mile stroll through the Royal Park. Find out more and sign up online or on the day.
What we're reading
- Some surprise guests made an appearance at the 20th anniversary production of Mamma Mia! the musical.
- Crowds protest outside the Dorchester Hotel against Brunei's LGBTQ+ laws.
- Fancy doing your commute on an electric penny farthing?
- Spitalfields Life goes on a pub crawl in Smithfield and Holborn.
