Things To Do In London This Week: 30 September-6 October 2019

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All week

Berry Boobtini cocktails are available throughout October

THIS IS NOT RIGHT: New play This Is Not Right is the unfiltered story of a talented girl from a council estate in Hull, and her single parent dad. It follows her to uni in London and back again, until her dad starts losing control and she gets scared. Wilton’s (Limehouse), £10-£27, book ahead, 1-5 October

SNITCH: Comedian and Mock The Week regular Rhys James brings his show Snitch to Soho Theatre. It revolves around the idea of him returning to his school as an adult to give an inspiring talk to current students, in a fast-paced, hour-long performance. Soho Theatre, from £13, book ahead, 1-5 October

PIANO FESTIVAL: Solo recitals, jazz performances, and lecture-recitals all appear on the programme for the fourth London Piano Festival. See experts from all over the world tinkling the ivories, culminating in a two-piano marathon event. Kings Place (King’s Cross), various prices, book ahead, 2-6 October

This Is Not Right at Wilton's

MONIKER ART FAIR: Urban contemporary art fair Moniker focuses very much on urban art and culture, with a curated selection of artists exhibiting. Now in its ninth year, it's held in Chelsea rather than Shoreditch for the first time, and is designed to feel more like a festival than your standard art fair. The Chelsea Sorting Office, £12-£25, book ahead, 2-6 October

FRIEZE LONDON: Art fair Frieze London is in town this week, which means the whole of the London art scene ramps up a notch, with industry experts from all over the world. Frieze London, the main event, brings together 160 global galleries showcasing work by 1000 artists, plus a programme of talks and other events. Regent’s Park, £38.70, book ahead, 3-6 October

COPPAFEEL COCKTAILS: Tuck into a cocktail and do a good deed throughout October. Slug & Lettuce is offering special cocktails in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a donation from each drink going to CoppaFeel. The Berry Boobtini is strawberry purée shaken with coconut syrup, cranberry juice, lime and apple juice, then topped with cream and a raspberry. Slug & Lettuce (various locations), from £4.95, throughout October

Monday 30 September

Hear from Lenny Henry

MAKING OF MOTOWN: Most people are familiar with elements of Motown music — now hear the story behind the genre. Hitsville: The Making of Motown is a documentary looking at the enduring cultural impact of Motown Records, as told by founder Berry Gordy and co-creator Smokey Robinson. Archive footage, interviews and an awesome soundtrack all feature. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm

LETTERS FROM AMERICA: The work and impact of American writers Toni Morrison, Walt Whitman and Tennessee Williams is discussed by three British writers. Author Diane Evans, poet Richard Scott and playwright Polly Stenham take part in a panel event celebrating the power of the written word. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

LENNY HENRY: Comedian Sir Lenny Henry appears on stage chatting to Romesh Ranganathan ahead of the release of his autobiography Who Am I Again? Hear about Henry's early years, born to Jamaican parents who had recently arrived in the Midlands, and his rise to fame. Southbank Centre, £10-£30, book ahead, 7.30pm

Tuesday 1 October

Top Dog Film Festival is in town

ROSE MCGOWAN: Hear from actor and activist Rose McGowan as she performs her new show, Planet 9. It's a blend of memoir, music, storytelling, projections and performance — encouraging the audience to see Earth from a new perspective and learn how to create a liberated, fairer society. Shoreditch Town Hall, £20, book ahead, 7pm-9pm (sponsor)

DOG FILM FESTIVAL: Bow wow wow your way over to Holborn for the first day of Top Dog Film Festival. Watch a curated selection of canine films showcasing the bond between dogs and their owners. Conway Hall (Holborn), £12-£14, book ahead, 1-2 October

GENIUS AND OPERA SINGER: Catch a screening of 2017 documentary The Genius and the Opera Singer, which tells the story of a 92 year old former opera singer and her daughter who share an apartment in Manhattan. Followed by a Q&A with director Vanessa Stockley. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50, book ahead, 7pm

Wednesday 2 October

Go in search of mulberry trees

MIDWEEK MULBERRIES: Take a lunchtime walk through hidden gardens in London’s legal district, in search of mulberry trees. Pass Gray’s Inn and Lincoln’s Inn and visit the secluded Fountain Court in Middle Temple, led by Dr Peter Coles, author of Mulberry, a global cultural history. Farringdon station, £10, book ahead, 12.30pm-2pm

ZADIE SMITH: White Teeth author Zadie Smith is at the Royal Institution to discuss her new short story collection, Grand Union. She chats to fellow author Diana Evans about her 11 new works. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £35, book ahead, 7pm

THAMES MUDLARKING: Hear from Lara Maiklem, an experienced mudlark who’s been scouring the banks of the Thames for lost treasures for over 15 years. She’s just written a book about her experiences, and talks about some of the things she’s found, from medieval buckles to Tudor buttons, and what they tell us about London’s past inhabitants. Conway Hall (Holborn), £7/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm

Thursday 3 October

Peruse the African Art Fair. © Brittany Buongiorno

AFRICAN ART FAIR: Browse the work of 150 artists from Africa and its diaspora, represented by 45 galleries. The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair covers a range of disciplines, from established and new artists. Somerset House, £25, book ahead, 3-5 October

JAMES BOND: Find out how James Bond won the Cold War for Britain at this talk by Young Bond author Charlie Higson. Learn about the genesis of 007, Ian Fleming’s life in the secret service and how the Bond books and films relate to real world events. National Archives (Kew), £15/£12, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm

JUDY GARLAND: The Wizard of Oz star is the subject of tonight’s Late Night Jazz. Singer Sara Dowling and the Chris Ingham Trio work their way through Garland’s repertoire, including songs from Meet Me In St Louis, Easter Parade, I Could Go On Singing and other classic films. Royal Albert Hall, £16.50/£10, book ahead, 9.30pm

Friday 4 October

Get stuck into London Cocktail Week

THE CAKE AND BAKE SHOW: Up for a really sweet day out? Then you knead to know (sorry) about this star-studded celebration of baking brilliance. Celebrity bakers like Rosemary Shrager, Eric Lanlard, and a whole host of GBBO alumni are heading to the Royal Docks for a feast of culinary inspiration, shopping and entertainment. ExCel London (Royal Victoria Dock), £14, book ahead, 10am-5pm, until Sunday 6 October (sponsor)

LONDON COCKTAIL WEEK: One of the biggest events in London’s boozy calendar (and that’s saying something), London Cocktail Week has bars all over town taking part. Buy yourself a Cocktail Pass — which gets you special £6 cocktails at participating bars, and access to the Cocktail Village on Brick Lane — and look out for other special events going on around town. Various locations, book £10 Cocktail Pass in advance, 4-13 October

REMBRANDT’S LIGHT: Dulwich Picture Gallery opens a new exhibition dedicated to works by Dutch painter Rembrandt. Rembrandt’s Light showcases 35 of his paintings, etchings and sketches dating back 350 years which show off his exemplary use of light. Dulwich Picture Gallery, £16,50, book ahead, 4 October-2 February

DAVID SUCHET: TV and stage actor David Suchet — best-known for playing Poirot — makes an appearance at the National Theatre to coincide with the launch of his autobiography, Behind The Lens. Hear him discuss his career, supported by photos that he’s taken himself over more than 50 years. National Theatre, £9/£6, book ahead, 6pm

VEGAN OKTOBERFEST: A plant-based lifestyle doesn't mean missing out on the Bavarian charms of Oktoberfest. Head to Vegan Vibes to munch on vegan 'würstl' and 'knödel' while knocking back crisp vegan beers. Prost! Greenwich Market (Greenwich), free entry, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm (sponsor)

Saturday 5 October

The Candlelight Club throws itself a birthday party

BOOB BRUNCH: As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Slug & Lettuce hosts a special brunch, with funds raised going to CoppaFeel. Tuck into a brunch dish, hot drinks and cocktails while you listen to inspirational talks. Slug & Lettuce (Tower Bridge), £6, book ahead, 11.30am

CANDLELIGHT CLUB: Regular clandestine party night The Candlelight Club celebrates its ninth birthday with a special soiree. Head to the secret venue for an evening of illicit hooch and foot-stomping jazz, live music, cabaret and sing alongs. Don your best togs — it’s a fancy affair. Secret central London location, £25/£40, book ahead, 7pm-midnight

SIZZLING HOT CIRCUS: Sizzling Hot Circus return to east London for another performance of cabaret, dance, floor acts and aerial acrobatics, performed by an international cast. Hoxton Hall, from £14.50, book ahead, 8pm

Sunday 6 October

Watch a performance of The Pirate Cruncher

PIRATE CRUNCHER: Take the kids to a performance of The Pirate Cruncher, a theatre show aimed at ages 4+. Adapted from a picture book, it’s a comically gruesome tale of pirates, monsters and one small girl. ArtsDepot (North Finchley), from £9, book ahead, 11am/2pm

JOE MCELDERRY: Singer and former X-Factor contestant Joe McElderry headines today’s Sunday Favourites show. He celebrates a decade in the music industry with a performance of tracks from his albums, and from the West End shows he’s appeared in. The Other Palace (Victoria), £34.50, book ahead, 5pm

CELESTE NG: Bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere and Everything I Never Told You, Celeste Ng makes her first London appearance to discuss her successful novels. She talks about the process of creating her characters, which have been applauded for offering compelling portraits of modern American life. Southbank Centre, £15-£25, book ahead, 7.30pm