Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 11 September 2019

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The HandleBards perform at Dulwich Picture Gallery

Things to do

STAMPEX: Calling all philatelists — Stampex International opens today, bringing traders and collectors from all over the world to London to buy, sell and talk all things stamp-related. Whether you're a keen stamp collector, looking to get started, or have a stamp or collection that you want to get valued, it's a chance to network with people who really have this licked. Business Design Centre (Islington), free, just turn up, 11-14 September

FAME THE MUSICAL: Classic musical Fame brings its UK tour to London for a five-week run, beginning today. West End veteran Keith Jack, Hollyoaks' Jorgie Porter and singer Mica Paris star in the lively show about the lives of students at a New York performing arts school. The Peacock Theatre (Holborn), £18-£65, book ahead, 11 September-19 October

PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS: Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced photographer, this class aims to get you taking better photos of London. Under expert guidance, learn the importance of location, and hone new techniques, for DSLR, compact or smartphone. Address provided on booking, £38, book ahead, 12pm-3pm (sponsor)

Fame The Musical comes to the West End. Photo: Tristram Kenton

DAMBUSTERS STORY: Military historian Sir Max Hastings uncovers the truth behind the legend of the Dambusters — otherwise known as Operation Chastise, the 1943 destruction of the Mohne and Eder dams in Germany. Hastings delves into whether the 1955 film about the raid is true to life, whether the crew were as heroic as the dramatisation makes out, and whether the result really was a crippling blow to the Third Reich. Conway Hall (Holborn), £30, book ahead, 6.45pm-8pm

ARCHITECTS UNDERGROUND: The Royal Institute of British Architects — or RIBA — launches a new series of weekly events, The Architects Underground. It's open to everyone, not just architects, and covers all aspects of design. Tonight's inaugural event has Giles Martin, son of Beatles producer George Martin, talking about remixing Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band for its 50th Anniversary, along with other entertainment and a pop-up cocktail bar. RIBA (Portland Place), £15, book ahead, 6pm-10.30pm

Watch a screening of 45 Days Away From You

CINECLUB BRAZIL: Watch Brazilian screenwriter and director Rafael Gomes's newest film, 45 Days Away From You, at the Brazilian Embassy. The drama follows protagonist Rafael who goes to visit three friends in three different locations after a relationship break-up. Embassy of Brazil (Trafalgar Square), free, book ahead, 6.15pm-8.30pm

THAMESMEAD: Learn about the history of Thamesmead, the post-war estate which appears in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. Tying in with the current Kubrick exhibition, a panel discusses the influence of this often-underrated London area, including its architecture, community and people. Design Museum (Kensington), £12, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm

HANDLEBARDS: It's Shakespeare's The Tempest, but not as you know it. All-female theatre company The Handlebards bring their pedal-powered version of the show to the grounds of Dulwich Picture Gallery. Bring a chair or blanket, and get lost in the tale of a shipwreck washing up on a mysterious desert island. Dulwich Picture Gallery, £12-£18, book ahead,7pm

Take a deep dive into Eyes Wide Shut at the Freud Museum

AUTHOR TALK: Author James Meek reads from his latest book, To Calais, In Ordinary Time, set in 14th century Europe, but highlighting parallels between the Black Death and the current environmental catastrophe. He also chats to historian Charlotte Higgins about the book, and the time in which it's set. London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury), £10, book ahead, 7pm-8pm

STANLEY KUBRICK: Eyes Wide Shut is one of Stanley Kubrick's best-known films, but what's its significance 20 years on? Professor Nathan Abrams, author of Eyes Wide Shut: Stanley Kubrick and the Making of His Final Film discusses the outraged response it elicited, and possible psychoanalytic interpretations of the director’s recurring themes. Freud Museum (Hampstead), £15/£12, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

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

A map of London bookswaps

Just lately, I've been getting all my reading through random pick-ups at bookswaps. You can find some real treasures lurking on the shelves, often with bookmarks, stains and margin notes that offer intriguing insights into the previous owner. Many bookswaps can be found on station concourses or waiting rooms, including at tube stations. Londonist is building a map of London's bookswaps. If we've missed off your local book drop, send me a tweet on @HeckTube.

Good cause of the day

Head to Belgravia tonight for Think Pink, a one-night-only exhibition of illustrations of 20 artists whose work interprets key moments in fashion through shades of pink. All works are for sale, with 85% of sales going to Breast Cancer Care. Find out more and book tickets.

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