Things to do
HALF TERM: Insects, Victorians and an orchestra are some of the options for half term entertainment today. See our guide to half term in London for more ideas including theatre shows, exhibitions and craft workshops.
SUPREME COURT: Go behind the scenes on one of two open days at the Supreme Court. See inside the courts — including a pop art carpet designed by Peter Blake — and visit parts usually off-limits to the public, including the library. An exhibition offers an insight into the history of the building, and what goes on in the courts, and staff are on hand to talk about working there. UK Supreme Court (Westminster), free, just turn up, 9.30am-4.30pm (repeated tomorrow)
BOOK SIGNING: Artist Michael de Feo became known in New York in the 1990s for his flower design, hundreds of which he pasted on walls all over the city. His new book, Flowers, looks at that design from its humble origins to worldwide recognition, and today he signs copies of the book. Design Museum (Kensington), free, book ahead, 3pm-4pm
MUSIC HALL: Neil Robson, editor of the Wandsworth Historian, talks about the former music halls of the area, and how they brought entertainment to local people in Victorian times. Part of Wandsworth Heritage Festival. Battersea Arts Centre, free, book ahead, 7pm
ANIMAL EMOTIONS: Although animal species don't have languages in the same way humans do, they're still able to communicate through emotions. Biologist, primatologist and author Frans de Waal shows evidence for the existence of these emotions, including primate facial expressions, and argues that all human emotions can be found in other species. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
DUSTIN LANCE BLACK: Oscar-winning screenwriter and gay rights campaigner Dustin Lance Black discusses his memoir, Mama's Boy. It focuses on him, age 21, coming out to his mother, who raised him in a conservative Mormon household in Texas. Hear about how the family survived the ensuing rift. Southwark Cathedral, £8/£5, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
FOUR O'CLOCK FLOWERS: Part of The Foreword Festival — which champions new theatre talent — debut play Four O'Clock Flowers takes a look at knife crime and the experiences of the families affected by it. Set on a doorstep with a shrine, candles and a photograph of a teenage boy, it's a moving look at what happens to communities after the news crews have moved on. The Space (Millwall), £15/£12, book ahead, 7.30pm (until 1 June)
KIERAN HODGSON: Award-winning comedian Kieran Hodgson recounts the tale of how Britain came to be in the EU in the first place in show Kieran Hodgson: '75, which takes the audience through the 1970s in a fit of passion, betrayal and Harold Wilson. Southbank Centre, £18, book ahead, 8pm
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: Get your scaramouches and Galileos ready at Rooftop Film Club's screening of Bohemian Rhapsody, the 2018 film telling the story of rock band Queen, and lead singer Freddie Mercury in particular. Fair warning though — you'll have the song in your head for weeks afterwards. Queen of Hoxton, £15.95-£18.95, book ahead, 9pm-11pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
It's half term, so don't use South Kensington tube unless you adore sweaty crowds. Head back in more civilised times, however, and you can spot a veritable menagerie on the Piccadilly platforms. Animal forms deck the walls and floors, a subtle tribute to the nearby Natural History Museum.
Follow Barry Heck on @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Sign up now to take part the Thames Walk & Run on 8 June, raising money for Children Change Colombia, a charity which safeguards the rights and futures of young people in Colombia. The event is a 10 mile walk along the Thames, heading from Richmond station via Teddington Lock to Richmond Park. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP brand is coming to London for a wellness summit... and tickets aren't cheap.
- Providores restaurant in Marylebone is closing.
- Olympic Park streets and bridges given official names.
- Look out for pyrotechnics filming at Tower Bridge this week.
