Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 20 September 2017

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Things to do today is sponsored by ICE.

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What we're reading

  • Uber licensing costs in London to rise from £3,000 to £3m in next five years.
  • A huge blaze broke out in a warehouse in north London.
  • The story of Huntsman, the shop featured in the Kingsman films.
  • Tube drivers are to hold a 24hr walkout after demanding a four- day working week.

Things to do

CLINIC: This event explores the future of, and the boundaries, between our living and digital realities, with innovative and cutting edge installations, including a synthetic sky created from algorithms. Oxo Tower, free, just turn up, noon-6pm

GHOSTSIGNS WALK: On this walking tour through Bankside, take in some of London's best ghost signs. We've covered them before and they're fascinating. The Tanneries, £15, book ahead, 12.50pm-1.30pm

STAR FORMATION: Ever looked up at the sky and wondered how all those stars got there? Formation has calmed down recently, but this Gresham talk explains how our galaxy was once ablaze with bright young stars. Museum of London (Barbican), free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

PENNY FOR A LECTURE: Knowledge is always worth paying for, and you don't have to pay much for this lecture on King John, from the legend of Robin Hood. It's a penny on entry — where else can you get something for so little these days? Morley College (Lambeth), free, book ahead, 5.30pm-6.30pm

CAMDEN HIGH LINE: Could London take a leaf out of New York's book and have its very own high line? There's a chunk of disused railway between Camden and King's Cross ripe for transformation... explore the proposed route on this free walking tour. Under The Bridge (Camden Gardens), free, book ahead, 6pm-7pm

THE WORK PLACE: Centre Point and White Collar Factory might be from different eras, but they have one thing in common — they are revolutionary workplaces for their time. In this evening lecture, you'll learn more about these two iconic London developments. The Building Centre, free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

URBAN FOREST: You don't need to leave London to have a good look at some trees. This urban forest workshop will have you exploring the streets of Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury, learning about the different species and forms of street tree planting over the years. Goodge Street tube, £15, book ahead, 6.15pm-8.15pm

MENUS MAKING CHANGE: Embark on a culinary adventure with a five-course vegan meal, with dishes by the best street food producers and artisan producers. All profits from the event go to A Cause for Education, supporting one young Kenyan man's final year in school. The Canvas Cafe, £42, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

OKTOBERFEST: Bavarian Beerhouse is back with Oktoberfest, a German inspired month of beer, including pigtails, sausages, and synchronised belching every Wednesday till Saturday. Old Street, £14, book ahead, 7pm-midnight, until October 21st

GRAEME OF THRONES: This parody of HBO's smash hit series, Game of Thrones, tells the story of a Thrones fanboy and his quest to recreate the acclaimed fantasy saga on stage. Charing Cross Theatre, £25, book ahead, 10pm, until 11 October


Head to EngineeringLate for a glimpse into the world of civil engineers

Civil engineers are the brains behind a huge amount of our city, from the water that comes out of our taps, to the way that London’s waste is disposed of — essentially, these guys are the cogs that make the capital work. You can find out what they actually do at the Institution of Civil Engineers’ unique late event on 22 September. The evening event will run from 6pm-9.30pm and takes place at the famous One George Street, the nucleus of civil engineering.

Explore the building to a soundtrack of live jazz, have your say in a debate on the best infrastructure project of the last 200 years, or grab a team for the engineering pub quiz. Learn how to take epic photos before hearing from the CEO of the Museum of London Archaeology about discoveries that have been made during Crossrail.

Why not ditch the pub and check out this exciting event — you may just think about London in a different way. Pre-register for your free ticket here.


Art review: pink rooms and falling frogs

This hidden Camden gallery space is quitting London in a few months, so it's going out with a big show filled with great works. Frogs fill lights above our heads, an entire room is aglow with garish pink hue and desecrated mattresses look like something terrible just happened before we got here. This gallery will be missed, so make sure you don’t miss its final hurrah. (X) A Fantasy at David Roberts Art Foundation, Symes Mews, NW1 7JE.  Until 7 October, free. ★★★★☆ (Thursday-Saturday) Tabish Khan

Food review: not veggie? You might be once you've eaten in here

If you're teetering on the edge of vegetarianism but find can't quite commit to a life of soggy quiche, bland goats cheese tarts and yet another mushroom risotto, then an epic sitting at Tibits buffet should be enough to excite the inner veggie in you. After working up an appetite at Tate Modern (a mere five-minute walk away) we pile our plates high with meat-free sausage rolls (buttery and flaky without the gristle of traditional sausage rolls), perfectly spiced Indian Dal and red lentil and beetroot curry, deliciously moist soy chocolate cake and all manner of enticing salads (not an oxymoron on this occasion). With its lush, living walls and smart conservatory-dining out back, this latest addition to the Tibits empire is certainly fancy but the food isn't, and that’s no bad thing. This is simple, flavoursome cooking done so well you'll want to replicate the dishes at home and return for recipe inspiration. Tibits is basically the gateway drug to you becoming a fully-fledged vegetarian (or vegan if you show up on vegan Tuesdays), you’ve been warned. Tibits, 124 Southwark Street SE1 0SW ★★★★☆ Kyra Hanson

Theatre review: Nor-way through the deadlock?

To many a theatregoer, a three-hour epic about the Israel-Palestine peace negotiations in the 1990s may not appear to be a good deal on paper – but Oslo is certainly not one to walk away from. Funny, poignant, and even a little cinematic in its stagecraft, the 2017 Tony award-winner tells of the real-life efforts of two diplomats in Norway (Toby Stephens and Lydia Leonard) to get representatives of both sides secretly round the table at a time when the 'proper', official talks have broken down. Writer JT Rogers imagines this backchannel as the backdrop for unlikely friendships, broad comedy, and Thick Of It-style political tirades. Above all, he paints that era of statesmen in baggy suits (many of which statesmen are now deceased) as one of real hope for the Middle East — a welcome cause for reminiscence. Oslo, National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX. £15-18 (day tickets only), until 23 September. Then transfers to Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN. £18-85, from 2 October to 30 December. [Monday to Saturday] ★★★★☆ James FitzGerald

Good cause for the day

PINK RIBBON SESSIONS: 9 artists, one venue, and thousands of pounds raised for the fight against cancer. Join in with this vibrant evening of carefully curated music, drinks and spoken word, all in aid of a good cause. Beaufort House (Chelsea), £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-10.30pm