This Week In London’s History Monday – 3rd March 1982: The Barbican Centre is opened by the Queen. After 15 years of construction, at a cost of £161 million, the centre would become the largest performing arts centre in Europe (as well as being voted the ugliest building in London). Tuesday – 4th March 1882: Britain’s first electric trams go into operation in Leytonstone, East London. Wednesday – 5th March 1856: The second Covent......

Many comedy fans will already have experienced the pleasure of watching Pappy's Fun Club, the if.comedy nominated sketch troupe who are arguably the most exciting act working on the live comedy circuit. For the uninitiated, Pappy's are a four-piece band of boys whose silly, upbeat and joyous sketches leave audiences with a severe bout of happiness. They have a lovely, fresh take on the traditional live sketch format - by breaking down the fourth......

China has been in London for a long time, and it's not just been in the series of streets, shops and restaurants that constitute Chinatown. As well as a marvellous amount of fun things to see and do around Chinatown this weekend for Chinese New Year, it seems the whole of London wants to get involved. The Victoria & Albert museum, National Film Theatre, City Hall and the Trocadero are all hosting events and......

Budging The only fringe theatre venue in Leicester Square is to close in September. The tiny 150 seat Sound Theatre has sat shoulder to shoulder with the biggest of West End dross-peddling venues (Mama Mia is still playing at the Prince of Wales...) in the same block as the Swiss Centre since June last year, but while Sound's restaurant, bar and nightclub willmove to new Leicester Square premises, the theatre will not be joining......

The Victoria and Albert's storming Late Night series is a much anticipated monthly event: every last Friday of the month sees the museum being taken over by specially invited organisations who use the space and sometimes the existing exhibitions for their own creative business. One memorable Late Night saw the whole ground floor covered in wool - loops of yarn were draped over statues pilfered from abroad and the textiles exhibits seemed to bleed......

Last week, Fraser James used the power of Lawro to good effect, scoring a highly respectable 3 out of 5. After Sarah Johnson had hit the same score the previous week, we felt that the 'FPP' (as it's known in the corridors of power) was beginning to reach new heights of prediction excellence and consistency. Sadly, our balloon of complacency was soon pricked by the following missive... "You recent guest predictions have been disappointing,......