Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 10 May 2017

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LEICESTER SQUARE: Think you know Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square? Go a little deeper with this talk about the tourist hotspots and find out more about the area's past residents including Sir Joshua Reynolds, Baron Albert Grant and Sir Mortimer Wheeler. Guildhall Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

MUSEUM LATE: One of London's best small museums, the Hunterian, is closing for three years. To make sure everyone gets a chance to say farewell, it's staying open late on certain evenings in the run up to the closure. Hunterian Museum, free, just turn up, 5pm-8pm

BEAUTIFUL NOISE: What exactly is noise and can it contain beauty? It's an idea that has obsessed scholars since John Cage's famous silent piece: 4'33. Join music professor Toby Young as he discusses our changing understanding of noise throughout the 20th century. Museum of London, free, first come first served, 6pm-7pm

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DRAMA: UCL's Petrie Museum is brimming with artefacts filled with stories. With help from University of East London's drama students the stories of these artefacts are brought to life. Petrie Museum (UCL), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

DOG CLUB: There's a new doggy club in town celebrating man's best friend, courtesy of Orvis. It's a chance for like-minded canine lovers to meet, and their dogs to make new four-legged friends. Orvis store (Mayfair), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

New York City at The Victoria Dalston

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

EUROPEAN LIT: What's the future of European literature in a post-Brexit world? That's the key question at this panel with keynote speaker A.L. Kennedy. British Library, £12/£8, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

POETRY LAUNCH: Anthology of Aunts is a new poetry book dedicated entirely to — you guessed it — aunts. Hear readings from the collection and perhaps you'll even bring your own aunt along. Star of Kings (King's Cross), free, just turn up, 7pm-9.30pm

FREE COMEDY: Every Wednesday night, the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich hosts free comedy. The pub has seen William Gladstone and Charles Dickens eat side-by-side, so if the comedy sucks, entertain yourself by thinking about what they might have discussed. Trafalgar Tavern, free, just turn up, 7.30pm-9.30pm

NYC MUSIC: Take a bite of the Big Apple in Dalston with NonClassical, a night of music inspired by New York City. The Victoria, £10/£8/£5, book ahead, 8pm-11pm

Art review: south London tower blocks

© David Hepher, Courtesy of Flowers Gallery

David Hepher has created massive scale paintings of south London high rises. The paintings have the texture of concrete and are covered with graffiti. The jarring juxtaposition works well as these paintings completely contrast with the gallery's white walls surrounding them. David Hepher: Grain of Concrete at Flowers, 82 Kingsland Road, E2 8DP, until 13 May, free ★★★☆☆ (Monday-Saturday) Tabish Khan

Theatre review: big, top

The newly-branded Underbelly Festival has once again found a big top gem to excite London audiences. Australian circus troupe Casus follow up their epic Knee Deep with their latest show Driftwood, a no frills/many thrills study of human connection. This is expressed sombrely, minimally and with occasional spells of frustrating opaqueness but there are enough exquisite acrobatic hijinks here to turn any frown upside down. The abstract theme doesn't always hang together but no matter — this excellent slice of new circus often takes the breath away with its creative aerial manoeuvres and exciting tumbling. Read more here. Driftwood, Underbelly Festival, Jubilee Gardens, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, from £15.50. Until 4 June ★★★★☆ Franco Milazzo

Good cause for the day

HOSPITAL ABSEILING: Abseil 150 feet down the the face of St Thomas' Hospital for an enormous thrill and a brilliant cause. All money goes towards Guy's and St Thomas' charity raising money for the hospitals. St Thomas', £25/£30, book ahead, 12 May, noon-6pm

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