Things to do today is sponsored by Wimbledon Open Studios.
What we're reading
- A look at Sadiq Khan's first year as mayor.
- A trawl around the pubs in Battersea.
- Citymapper are launching a London bus.
Things to do today
A PHOENIX REBORN: The Monument commemorates London's recovery from the Great Fire. Using this as a base, find out what London's recovery and rebirth really entailed. Guildhall Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
OPEN EVENING: The annual open evening of the Honourable Artillery Company on City Road takes place tonight, with military displays, helicopters and armoured vehicles, a parachute jump, and a police dog display. Finsbury Barracks, free entry, just turn up, from 5pm
EMILY DICKINSON: Take a closer look at the poetry of Emily Dickinson and her use of metaphors in this talk from professor Belinda Jack. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
BLACK SWAN: It's Genesis Cinema's 18th birthday, so they're screening some of their favourite films from the past 18 years to celebrate. This evening it's the Oscar winning Black Swan. Genesis Cinema, £2.50/free, book ahead, 6.10pm-8.30pm
FRONTLINE COVERAGE: What's it like reporting from war-torn countries, such as Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan? Find out from the Sunday Times' chief foreign correspondent Christina Lamb. Asia House, £15/£10/£7.50, book ahead, 6.45pm-8pm
COMIC THEATRE: 'Daft enjoyable meta-theatre comedy.' Those are the words of one reviewer on Roxy Dunn and Alys Metcalf's show In Tents and Purposes, telling the story of two friends, ten years and one fortune teller. Soho Theatre, £15/£12.50, book ahead, 7pm
SUSTAINABLE EATING: Nowadays people spend a lot more time considering the sustainability of what they eat. Hear a panel about the current state of sustainable food and take part in a "guided tasting meditation" (their words, not ours). Runway East Shoreditch, £22.50, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
LIFE DRAWING: Create your own May Day maidens at this life drawing session inspired by the work of Alphonse Mucha. The Underdog, £15, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
LIVE JAZZ: London-based saxophonist and composer, Nubya Garcia, is one of the leading forces behind the resurgence of jazz-influenced sounds in the UK, and her latest album launch is tonight. Jazz Cafe, £8/£10, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
TWIN PEAKS: Sip on some damn fine coffee — or perhaps some booze, but we're trying to squeeze a reference in here — at the Book Club's Twin Peaks quiz. The Book Club, £3, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
Sponsor message
Get behind the scenes of contemporary London artists with Wimbledon Art Studios
Step inside over 120 paint-splattered studios this Thursday-Sunday (11-14 May) at one of London's only free entry art fairs. Wimbledon Art Studios invites you to discover award-winning, established and emerging artists and makers across eight floors.
Get the insider's view as well as some affordable art for your walls — check out who's exhibiting here.
Theatre review: Angels in America makes heavenly theatre
Tony Kushner's epic two-part Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia at the National Themes examines big themes of sexuality, religion and politics through the overlapping intimate relationships of two warring couples and a lonely individual coming to terms with AIDS in Reagan's 1980s America. It sounds heavy, but Millennium Approaches and Perestroika have many laugh-out-loud, as well as painfully moving, moments during their seven and a half hours. This spectacular revival from Marianne Elliott makes full use of the resources of the cavernous Lyttelton stage with Ian MacNeil's revolving set capturing the play's surreal flights of fancy.
The superb, multi-roling cast is led by Andrew Garfield as a suffering ex-drag queen and Nathan Lane as the notoriously ruthless right-wing lawyer and Trump mentor Roy Cohn. Although thankfully AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was, and homophobia has declined, Kushner's portrait of a deeply divided, intolerant society seems even more frighteningly relevant now. Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX, £20 per play (ballot only), until 19 August ★★★★★ [Monday‒Saturday] Neil Dowden
Art review: a gutted gallery
The main galleries of the ICA, both downstairs and up, have been completely gutted stripping the floors and walls — even the plug sockets have been ripped out. It's an ambitious, and we imagine expensive, project but it fails to really convey the messages about agriculture and upcycling the artist is trying to convey. Stuart Middleton: Beat at ICA, until 2 July, £1 ★★☆☆☆ Tabish Khan
Good cause for the day
WEST AFRICAN WILDLIFE: The wildlife of West Africa's Savannah is increasingly facing the realities of extinction. This discussion celebrates these animals while talking about ways to conserve their population before it's too late. Institute of Zoology at London Zoo, free, first come first served, 6pm
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