Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 24 May

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Heart surgeon Professor Martin Elliott speaks at Museum of London

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Things to do

WORKING CITY: From politicians to servants, nurses to rat catchers, London has long been a magnet for those looking for work. This exhibition explores the fascinating and sometimes grim reality of working life for city dwellers over the past 500 years. Guildhall Yard, free, just turn up, all day

CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS: Celebrate the voices and visions that will forge the future of fine art. Featuring pieces from students — the first of two degree shows this summer. Central Saint Martins, Granary Square, free, just turn up, until 28 May, various times

VIRTUAL REALITY: The Barbican already feels out of this world, but now this VR installation promises to take you even further afield with a serene meditating experience. Mezzanine level, Barbican, free, just turn up, 9am-9pm

SHIP SHAPE: The Cutty Sark is allowing little sailors to climb aboard for a dedicated morning of songs, stories and playtime on this historic ship. Cutty Sark, £5 and includes admission to the ship, book ahead, 10am-11.30am

HEARTBEAT: A job he describes as both a duty and a privilege, Great Ormond Street heart surgeon Martin Elliott reflects on some of the astonishing experiences that have made his job so fascinating — expect the funny, the scary and the sad. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

Emotional intelligence vs artificial intelligence at Protein Studios

REACTION ENGINES: Discover the remarkable challenges and opportunities associated with hypersonic flight and space travel at this talk detailing the SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine — phew, that's a mouthful) concept and development journey. Arup, 8 Fitzroy Street, free, just turn up, 6.30pm-9.30pm

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Are robots taking over? Is there still room for emotional intelligence? Learn how AI is impacting the way humans relate to technology and one another in this panel focusing on artificial versus emotional intelligence. All proceeds go to The Big Issue Foundation. Protein Studios, Shoreditch, £10, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm

BRAZILIAN MUSIC: Fans of Brazilian music are in for a treat as seven-string guitar player and composer, Luiz Morais, joins vocalist Gabriela Kozyra in performing diverse regional flavours and rhythms from the country. Sands Films, 82 St Marychurch Street, £14/£8, book ahead, 7.15pm

SHORT FILMS: Did you know over 20,000 short films have crowd-sourced their funding from Kickstarter? Discover a selection of the finest to have done so, followed by a Q&A from some of the filmmakers themselves. 93 Feet East, Shoreditch, £3/£4, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

STANLEY FILM CLUB: A free Makaton sign language workshop precedes a showing of science fiction classic Arrival, which delves into the troubles of an elite team of investigators as they race against time to find a way of communicating with extraterrestrial visitors who have just touched down in 12 locations across earth. South Norwood Conservative Club, £10/£7, book ahead, 7.15pm-10.15pm

Art review: digitally mesmerising

Courtesy Annka Kultys gallery.

Anne Vieux uses digital technology to create warped translucent paintings and sculptures. They fool the eyes and appear to change right in front of us. Anne Vieux: Mesh at Annka Kultys, 472 Hackney Road, Unit 3 First floor, E2 9EQ, free. Until 27 May. ★★★☆☆ (Wednesday-Saturday)

Art review: a new take on landscapes in New Cross

Copyright Joseph Wright.

Landscape photography may not seem the most thrilling subject matter, but this selection of 10 artists all take it in different angles. From the realistic to the abstract, this is an impressive collection of works. Inside the Outside at MMX Gallery, 448 New Cross Road, SE14 6TY, free. Until 3 June. ★★★★☆ (Wednesday-Saturday)

Theatre review: this is not culturally significant

Image by Bessell McNamee.

A fabulously vulgar panoply of grotesques dreamt up at drama school, Adam Scott-Rowley's one-man-show's greatest genius lies in its transitions; Theresa May's biggest fan flanges gutturally over the name "Ahmed" for so long that she morphs into a cancer-riddled, chain-smoking, washed-up luvvie mid-kvetch. Wickedly funny, these effervescently political vignettes make a pantomime of 'strong and stable' social injustice. This is Not Culturally Significant, The Bunker Theatre, 53a Southwark Street, SE1 1RU, £10-£17, Until 3 June. ★★★★★ Rosalind Stone

Good cause for the day

WALK TO BRIGHTON: Mental health charity Mind hosts a sponsored 100km walk, jog or run (whichever suits you) from capital to coast, featuring breathtaking scenery, challenging climbs and perhaps a few rest stops along the way. Richmond, £40/£56, book ahead, Saturday 27 May