Things to do
HMS PINAFORE: Gilbert & Sullivan opera HMS Pinafore begins a run at Wilton's today. The cast of eight take on the role of crew, chorus and principals to tell the story of the British class system, on board a ship where the captain's daughter falls for a lower-class sailor. Wilton’s (Limehouse), book ahead, 28-31 August
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: See photos on the themes of home, intimacy, place and belonging, by late South African photographer Thabiso Sekgala. Here Is Elsewhere brings together 50 photos taken between 2009 and 2014 in South Africa, Jordan and Germany, including portraits and street scenes. Hayward Gallery (Southbank Centre), free, just turn up, 28 August-6 October
SUPREME COURT: Today's the second of two consecutive free open days at the UK Supreme Court. Go inside the highest court in the land and get an idea of how it functions from the people who work there. See inside courtrooms, the usually-private library, and a special exhibition about what the court actually does. UK Supreme Court (Westminster), free, just turn up, 9.30am-4.30pm
FIRE BRIGADE MUSEUM: London's pop-up Fire Brigade Museum opens its doors for a day of family-friendly activities. Meet a firefighter, learn about their jobs and hear some fire safety tips. See a firefighter's uniform and learn how it has changed through the years, and visit the exhibition about the history of London Fire Brigade. Lambeth High Street, free, just turn up, 10am-3pm
TOUR A CLIPPER: Ahead of the Clipper Round The World Race starting in London next week, the public are invited to step on board one of the yachts and have a look around. See what it's like above and below deck, and how it's kitted out to survive its long ocean journey. The crew are also on hand to answer your questions as they prepare for the race. St Katharine Docks, free, just turn up, 10am-7pm (and various times until 30 August)
ALI BABA: Classic tale Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is brought to life on stage by theatre company Ilyria. A cast of just five plays all 40 thieves, plus Ali Baba himself, on the pop-up stage. Bring your own blanket or seating — drinks are available to buy on-site. Wanstead Park, £14.95/£8.95, book ahead, 4pm-6.30pm
GARDENERS’ QUESTION TIME: Green-fingered Londoners are in for a treat as BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time records an episode at the British Library. Be in the audience as local gardening enthusiasts put their questions to the panel of experts. British Library, £4.50, book ahead, 5.30pm-8.30pm
MEET THE BREWER: Meet the people behind Two Tribes Brewery at a talk and taste session. Taste five 1/3 samples of beer, learning about their history and flavours as you sup. There's also a chance to ask brewery representatives your questions about the wider craft beer industry and how beer is made. Shoreditch, £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm (sponsor)
MUSEUM LATE: Science Museum stays open late for an evening themed on driverless cars. View the current exhibition on autonomous vehicles, find out what contribution drones are making to society, and how machines can learn. There's also a panel debate about the recent re-emergence of divisive race science. Science Museum (South Kensington), free entry (charge for some events and activities), book ahead, 6.45pm-10pm
MASTERS OF SCIENCE: Sir Robert Lechler, Vice Principal (Health) at King’s College London, chats to the FT's science editor Clive Cookson about his work. Lechler is one of the world's leading immunologists and focuses on transplantation tolerance — or how to get someone's immune system to tolerate a transplant organ. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
ONLY ONE PEACH: Watch the UK premiere of variety-style show There's Only One Peach With A Hole In The Middle. Created by feminist pop icon Peaches, it uses almost 40 performers to offer a vision of the past, present and future of queer feminism. Southbank Centre, £25-£35, book ahead, 8pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Had he lived, poet and rail champion John Betjeman would have been 113 today. If you're passing through the King's Cross area, pop upstairs to say hello to the fellow who helped save St Pancras station. Happy birthday, JB! Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Book ahead for Friday's Boogie for Cancer Research, a fundraising evening of ballroom dancing competitions. Don your best disco outfit and get into the spirit of things with a sustainable glitter station. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- Plans to move Victoria Coach Station have been dropped.
- Redbridge residents plan to restore Embassy Cinema.
- TfL staff perk that lets housemates travel free 'cost £42m in revenue last year'.
- Taylor Swift's London Boy, in restaurant crawl form.
