Things To Do Today In London: Wednesday 23 October 2019

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A new exhibition of work by Bridget Riley opens today

Things to do

BRIDGET RILEY: Artist Bridget Riley is the master of using abstract shapes to create visual illusions, so expect a plethora of spots, stripes and chevrons in this new exhibition, which showcases pieces from across her 70-year career. Hayward Gallery (Southbank Centre), £16.50, book ahead, 23 October-26 January

ABANDONED ENGINEERING: Photos of stunning examples of abandoned engineering go on display at a free exhibition. Shots from around the world, including railway yards and nuclear bunkers, feature in the show, which publicises the new series of TV show Abandoned Engineering. Gallery @ Oxo, free, just turn up, 23-27 October

Photos of abandoned engineering projects go on display

ART EXPLORATIONS: Learn a bit more about the public artworks around Victoria, on this Art Explorations walk. Artist Gail Astbury leads the tour, visiting publicly-accessible works by the likes of Tom Phillips, Yinka Shonibare, Grayson Perry, Patrick Heron, Edwin Russell and others. Victoria Palace Theatre, £10, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm

CINEMA FOR SYRIA: Watch a screening of short films tackling the subject of living through a war, or being forced to leave your home. Author and Middle Eastern cultural expert Diana Darke is the guest speaker at the event, which raises money for the Hands Up Foundation, supporting those affected by the conflict in Syria. Leighton House Museum (Holland Park), £15, book ahead, 6.30pm

ANGEL COMEDY: Comedian Michael Brunström brings his surrealist take on comedy to north London. In his show, World Of Sports, he adopts the role of an Olympic athlete striving for a gold medal, whatever it takes. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 6.45pm-7.45pm

SOVIET HIPPIES: Dash Cafe takes a look at the hippie movement in the USSR, at the UK premiere of 2017 documentary Soviet Hippies. Unseen archive footage and psychedelic animations offer a little-seen perspective on Europe at the time of the Iron Curtain. Screening followed by a Q&A with director Terje Toomistu. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £5, book ahead, 7pm

Watch Sorry We Missed You at Rich Mix

LONDON IS A FOREST: Paul Wood, aptly-named author of the excellent London is a Forest, is at the newly-opened Market Bookshop to give a talk about the tree-laden tome. He argues the fact that despite its urban nature, London can be considered a forest, with 8.3 million trees. Wood also looks at some of the capital's specific trees in closer detail. Market Bookshop (Seven Dials), £4, book ahead, 7pm-8.15pm

PAIN AND PUNISHMENT: Should people who commit crimes be made to suffer? It's a question repeatedly posed by Black Mirror. See how three episodes of the hit TV show explore ideas of pain and punishment with philosopher Dr Lauren Ware. £12, book ahead, 7pm-9pm (sponsor)

SORRY WE MISSED YOU: Watch a preview of new drama film Sorry We Missed You. It tackles the topic of zero-hours working contracts in modern Britain, and the effect they have on the lives of those signed up to them. The screening is followed by a live satellite Q&A with director Ken Loach. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £10.95, book ahead, 7.10pm

Spend an evening with Rory Stewart

INALA: The Soweto Gospel Choir and The Royal Ballet combine for a performance of Inala. See South African and Western cultures fuse in a special World Ballet Day and Black History Month show, featuring 36 dancers, singers and musicians. Royal Albert Hall, £15-£109, book ahead, 7.30pm

FRIGHT BY RAIL: Join Cunning Folk and Chris Roberts for an evening of transport folklore. Music, song and storytelling combine in Herne Hill for tales of railway spooks. The Station Hall (Herne Hill), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm

RORY STEWART: Hear from MP, Mayoral hopeful and recent candidate for Prime Minister, Rory Stewart. He talks to journalist Hannah MacInnes about his life so far, including advising Hilary Clinton, tutoring Prince William, and going on a solo walk for two years across Afghanistan, Iran, India and Nepal. Emmanuel Centre (Westminster), £30, book ahead, 7.30pm-8.45pm

Tube ponderings with Barry Heck

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

Jabba's Palace is Southgate tube

Continuing yesterday's Star Wars-on-the-tube theme, did you ever notice how Southgate underground station is modelled on Jabba's Palace (or perhaps the other way around)?

Southgate image by Sunil060902 under Creative Commons licence. Cack-handed Photoshop work by Barry Heck.

Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube. The farce is strong in this one.

Good cause of the day

St John Ambulance continues its series of Restart A Heart events with a free CPR demonstration session in Clerkenwell. Learn lifesaving skills such as how to perform CPR and how to use a defibrillator. The session is free and there's no need to book. If you can't make today, take a look at the other free sessions in and around London.

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