Things To Do Today In London: Friday 25 January 2019

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Things to do

BURNS NIGHT: Get your fill of haggis, ceilidhs and Selkirk Grace with our guide to the best Burns Night events in London.

NEW EXHIBITION: The work of fashion photographers Hanna Moon & Joyce Ng is celebrated in Somerset House's new exhibition, English As A Second Language. They're both known for their playful approach to fashion, and for bringing an Asian influence to Western fashion ideals. Somerset House, free, just turn up, 25 January-28 April

PARK TOUR: Join an expert guide on a walking tour through St James's Park, hearing little-known facts about the park and surrounding areas, including The Mall and Horseguards Parade. There's also a chance to see the resident pelicans being fed, and to ask the wildlife officer your questions. St James's Park, £10, book ahead, 1.15pm-2.45pm

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR: John Dobai, a Holocaust survivor from Hungary, tells his story, aided by documents from the National Archives. He was born in Budapest in 1934, and a few years later his family converted to Roman Catholicism to avoid persecution. National Archives (Kew), free, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

FRIDAY LATES: Gothic mansion Strawberry Hill House stays open late for a chance to view the current exhibition, Lost Treasures. The house has been restored to its former glory, and many valuable items belonging to original owner Horace Walpole are back on display, having been sold off after his death. Tonight, actors play the roles of Horace Walpole and his housekeeper Margaret to guide you round the exhibition, with drinks and nibbles available. Strawberry Hill House (Twickenham), £16/£12, book ahead, 6pm-9pm

LIVE JAZZ: A new series of live jazz concerts launches today, with saxophone/flute and piano duo Tori Freestone and Alcyona Mic performing tracks from their acclaimed 2018 album Criss Cross. Each concert in the series is preceded by a pre-show talk with the performers. Morley College (Lambeth), £12 (0r £60 for all eight sessions), book ahead, 6.30pm

Explore the opulent Strawberry Hill House after hours

FANTASY IMPROV: Lord of the Game of the Ring of Thrones is quite a mouthful, so just be grateful you're not up on stage. Comedy troupe Hivemind improvise am epic fantasy live in front of an audience. There's no script prepared, so everything comes entirely from audience suggestions — don't be too mean, eh? Leicester Square Theatre, £9/£7, book ahead, 7pm

NOSFERATU: Watch 1922 film Nosferatu — widely cited as the first film in the horror genre — in the atmospheric setting of Europe's oldest surviving operating theatre. It's an early adaptation of Dracula, featuring a repellent walking corpse with bald head, pointy teeth and very long fingernails. The Old Operating Theatre (London Bridge), £12, book ahead, 7pm

CAMPFIRE STORIES: Join storytelling expert Vanessa Woolf of London Dreamtime for an adults-only evening of storytelling and music around a campfire, in a secret garden. Take cash for the bar, and dress warmly. Secret Peckham/Bermondsey location (revealed on booking), £5, book ahead, 7pm

LATE AT TATE: Poet, critic, essayist and journalist Bridget Minamore reads from her latest poetry work, Titanic, which covers the themes of love and loss — and a certain sinking ship — followed by a Q&A and book signing. Tate Modern (Bankside), free, tickets available from 5pm on the day), 7pm-8pm

BLUES DANCE NIGHT: Get your dancing shoes on and head to this monthly blues night, which begins with a taster blues dance class, followed by five hours of live music and DJs. The Ritzy (Brixton), £10-£12, book ahead, 8pm

FOAM PARTY: Everybody Get Up and Keep On Movin', as '90s boy band 5ive perform live at the Clapham Grand, supported by DJs playing nineties and noughties tunes. For an extra dose of '90s nostalgia, they're throwing in confetti, a balloon drop, and themed cocktails. Spoiler alert: the band name didn't age well, as there are only three of them these days. Clapham Grand, £12-£15, book ahead, 10.30pm-3am

Good cause of the day

Book ahead for the Comic Relief Spectacular, a charity comedy show taking place on 28 February. Alan Carr, Catherine Tate, Lenny Henry, Katherine Ryan and several comedy heavyweights are on the line-up, and money raised goes to Comic Relief. Find out more and book.