Things To Do Today In London: Monday 14 October 2019

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Last chance to see Out Of Order at Southbank Centre

Things to do

BIGGER THAN THE PLATE:  It's the final week of the V&A's Bigger Than The Plate exhibition, which looks at where our food comes from, how we consume it, and how it could be produced in the future. At times tough to stomach, it's likely to make you think twice about what's on your plate, but has some positive stories too. V&A Museum (South Kensington), £17, book ahead, until 20 October

REMEMBERING LIONS: New photography exhibition Remembering Lions opens today. Tied to a book of the same name, it's raising awareness of the plight of the big cats, whose numbers have declined by half in the last 25 years. 70 photographs are on show — and for sale — with money raised going to projects that protect lions. La Galleria (Pall Mall), free entry, just turn up, 14-26 October

TINY TROOPERS: Younger kids are catered for at National Army Museum's toddlers' session, Tiny Troopers. The sensory session for under 5s involves singing, games and crafty activities, all on the theme of animals in the Army. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5, book ahead, 10am/11.20am

Get stuck into a trampoline workout

PARLIAMENTARY VOTING: Former Labour party whip Baroness Hilary Armstrong talks to The Economist's Anne McElvoy about Parliamentary voting procedures. The deployment of a party whip — an instruction to MPs of a certain party to vote a certain way on an issue — can often cause conflict between personal belief and the party line. Find out what happens in these situations. National Theatre, £9/£6, book ahead, 6pm

WHERE HANDS TOUCH: Hear from film writer and director Amma Asante MBE, who talks about her latest project, Where Hands Touch. Inspired by the real-life experiences of African-Germans in the Nazi era, it's an imagined account of a mixed-race teenager’s clandestine relationship with a Hitler Youth member. The Wiener Holocaust Library (Russell Square), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

Hear about the ins and outs of Parliamentary voting

MARGARET THATCHER: Charles Moore discusses the third and final part of his new biography of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher. In this talk, he focuses on her final period in office, when she found herself pushed out by her own MPs. LSE (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm

OUT OF ORDER: Last chance to see clown troupe Forced Entertainment perform their latest show, Out Of Order, described as a 'clown act gone wrong'. It's accompanied by a heavy musical score and toes the line between comic and tragic. Southbank Centre, £20, book ahead, 7.30pm

COMEDY GALA: Having had a few weeks to recover from Edinburgh Festival, a variety of winners and nominees for Dave's Edinburgh Comedy Awards perform a series of gala nights here in London. Tonight's the first performance, with Chris Washington (MC), Goodbear, Jordan Brookes, Michael Odewale and Nigel Ng taking to the stage. Duchess Theatre (Covent Garden), £15, book ahead, 7.30pm

Last chance to see Bigger Than The Plate. Image copyright the artist and V&A.

IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE: Expect an evening of Bard-based bedlam at ShakeItUp's improvised Shakespeare show. Given that the playwright (understandably) hasn't written anything new for a while, the cast of this theatre show create a new 'Shakespeare play' live on stage, using his language and suggestions from the audience. Hen & Chickens Theatre (Highbury & Islington), £10.75, book ahead, 7.30pm

SHADOWLANDS: Head to Dulwich Picture Gallery for a screening of 1993 film Shadowlands. The biographical drama tells the story of Narnia author CS Lewis after he meets poet Joy Gresham, an event which presented a challenge to his faith. Dulwich Picture Gallery, £10/£8, book ahead, 7.30pm

TRAMPOLINE WORKOUT: Add some bounce to your Monday night at this Jomba Jump trampoline workout session. The 50-minute high-intensity, low-impact workout is great for stamina and cardiovascular fitness, doesn't put too much strain on your joints, and is pretty fun to boot. Whetstone (address provided on booking), £10, book ahead, 8pm-9pm (sponsor)

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.

Today offers one of the saddest anniversaries from the tube's history. On 14 October 1940, a 1,400 kg bomb landed directly above Balham station. The northbound tunnel partially collapsed. A ruptured water main quickly flooded the station and a bus fell into the crater. The death toll is disputed at either 64 or 66. Either way, this was the worst incident on the underground caused by enemy action. (The Bethnal Green disaster claimed more lives, but did not involve enemy attack.) If you are passing through Balham today, spend a moment reflecting on the tragedy of 79 years ago. Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

Tonight, The Comedy Store hosts Shake With Laughter, a night of comedy in aid of Parkinson's UK. Rob Deering, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Laura Lexx, Alistair Barrie, Paul Sinha and Paul Tonkinson are all scheduled to perform. Find out more and book tickets.

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