Things To Do Today In London is sponsored by the National Theatre.
ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION: From early pencil storyboards to finished book jackets, discover how Coralie Bickford-Smith transformed an idea (inspired by William Morris's Kelmscott Press) into Waterstones Book of the Year. The Fox and the Star exhibition at William Morris Gallery is suitable for literature lovers and baby bookworms alike. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm (until 29 January 2017)
CHRISTMAS FAIR: Now that the Christmas season is upon us (less than seven weeks to go), head to Country Living Magazine's Christmas Fair at Business Design Centre for everything from stollen-baking to natural toiletries-making. £14/£18, book in advance/just turn up, 10am-5pm (until 13 November)
BIOMEDICAL IMAGING: Ever fancied yourself as a scientist? Explore the what, why and how of scientific imaging at the Francis Crick Institute in their first ever exhibition. Free, just turn up, 10am-8pm (until 4 February 2017)
FILM POSTERS: Film poster collecting is an art, not a hobby — find out how to do it properly with expert Bruce Marchant, and view (or even buy) posters from films including Lolita, Pulp Fiction and Trainspotting. Free, book in advance, 6pm
MATHS AND PHOTOGRAPHY: Maths and photos — is there a link? British contemporary photographer Peter Fraser thinks there is, and discusses its effect on his work, at Sir John Cass Faculty of Art. £12/£15, book in advance/just turn up, 6.30pm (talk starts at 7pm)
LITERARY SALON: You don't have to be Dostoyevsky or JK Rowling to write a book... A GP-author is among the five writers discussing the perks of independent publishing at Waterstones Piccadilly. £3, book in advance, 7pm
POET IN THE CITY: 50 years after poet Frank O'Hara's death, honour his legacy with an evening of poetry, music and art at Kings Place. £14.50, book in advance, 7.30pm
SIMON MUNNERY: Simon Munnery proves why he was nominated at the British Comedy Awards in his new, wry stand-up show Standing Still. £15.40, book in advance, 7.30pm (show starts at 8pm)
Celebrate 40 years of London's iconic Southbank National Theatre
This year, London’s iconic Southbank National Theatre celebrates its 40th birthday. Designed by Denys Lasdun, the concrete theatre has been voted both one of London's top five — as well as one of the city's least-liked — buildings. But whether you love or hate this Marmite structure, you can see it for yourself in a different light on a new 90-minute architectural tour. The tours run alongside the new 'Concrete Reality' exhibition in the Wolfson Gallery, focusing on the construction and design of this award-winning post-war building. This is a chance to see the theatre as you've never seen it before, learn about the venue's fascinating history, and appreciate the National as an icon of architectural beauty rather than just an amazing place to watch the latest play. This is a tour totally worth doing — and that's the concrete truth.
The National Theatre's Architecture tours last 90 minutes and run regularly, priced at £12.50 per person. To book, and find out times and dates, visit the National Theatre's website.
Good cause
FILM NIGHT: Earls Court Exhibition Centre has already been destroyed, and there are plans to demolish over 700 homes in the area. Head to The Bolton pub for a night of short films from directors with who have filmed in the area. Free (donations welcome), book in advance, 7pm
