What's On
PETER PAN GOES WRONG
The team behind the award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong are taking on Peter Pan this Christmas at the Lyric Theatre. Peter Pan Goes Wong sees the Cornley Drama Society attempt to stage J.M. Barrie’s classic but, of course, it doesn’t go quite to plan. Expect lots physical comedy, slapstick and farce as the cast battle hitches, mishaps and the occasional dispute as they try to make it to Neverland.
DAVID HOCKNEY | DRAWING FROM LIFE
After a smash hit retrospective at Tate Britain in 2017, another major Hockney exhibition is finally coming to town. David Hockney: Drawing From Life initially opened in February 2020 but only managed a few weeks before the pandemic shuttered the gallery. Now the exhibition is being restaged with portraits of his mother, his friend Celia Birtwell, curator Gregory Evans, and printer Maurice Payne, as well as a series of self-portraits, done in a variety of mediums from pencil to acrylic to digital. These will hang alongside thirty new pieces – including the viral one of Harry Styles – Hockney produced during and after the pandemic, depicting visitors to his Normandy studio across 2021 and 2022.
GHOSTS
Henrik Ibsen is being performed at Shakespeare’s Globe for the first time this winter with Ghosts at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The opening show for the candlelit theatre’s tenth anniversary season, Ghosts is an exploration of forbidden desire and family secrets as Helene attempts to hide the truth about her late husband from her son Osvald, who has returned home from abroad and begins an illicit affair that threatens to destroy both her and her son’s life. This adaptation from Joe Hill-Gibbins, who is also on directing duties, stars Greg Hicks, Paul Hilton, Hattie Morahan, Sarah Slimani and Stuart Thompson.
WOMEN IN REVOLT! ART & ACTIVISM IN THE UK 1970 - 1990
Tate Britain is hosting a major survey of feminist art, featuring pieces by over 100 women artists working in the UK, with the Women in Revolt! exhibition. Featuring a range of mediums from painting and sculpture to film and performance, the exhibition explores how women used radical ideas and rebellious action to fight for women’s liberation and change British culture. Issues and events like punk, the visibility of Black and South Asian women artists, Section 28 and the AIDS epidemic, and Greenham Common and the peace movement are reflected in the artworks on show, many of which – including Bobby Baker’s ‘An Edible Family in a Mobile Home’ – are being presented for the first time since the 70s.
HUMBUG CHRISTMAS DIVE BAR
What do you think Santa does after a long hard day at his workshop? He hits his fave dive bar of course, and now you can too. At Humbug, a new immersive festive dive bar popping up on Waterloo’s Leake Street, you’ll have to help Santa get back in the Christmas spirit, which shouldn’t be a problem with festive sing-a-longs, cabaret performances, live music, and DJ sets all on the cards, alongside Christmas lights, holiday memorabilia and cocktails like the Bah F*****g Humbug’ (with rum, chocolate liqueur, oat milk, crushed Oreos, whipped cream and a mince pie on top).
Peckham’s become a bit of a rooftop terrace hub lately, but anyone after some al fresco dinner and drinks might be hard-pressed to find it at the usual suspects, which are typically rammed. So, if you don’t mind being closer to the ground, the terrace at Peckham Arches has you covered – literally. The canopied space is heated, has the capacity for 600 guests and adjoins an art gallery, screening room and dancefloor.
Soak Up Vincent Van Gogh's Masterpieces From All Angles
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has been a hit in the States and in Europe and now it has come to Spitalfields. The exhibition sees more than 300 of Van Gogh’s works projected across a floor-to-ceiling two-storey space so you’ll be able to soak up the art from all angles. There’s also a drawing studio and a VR experience that takes you through a day in the life of the artist and explores the inspiration behind some of his most iconic paintings.
GET TICKETSAhead of the Netflix doc on Robbie Williams, the streaming giant is opening a pop-up shop dedicated to the singer in Covent Garden. The series is being released to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Robbie’s solo career and is promising a behind-the-scenes look at his rise to fame, and you’ll get a first glimpse at the pop-up. As well as being able to watch the first episode of the series before it airs, you’ll also be able to see even more never-before-seen archival footage from Robbie’s life, score some limited-edition merch and snap a selfie or two at the photo ops.
On a back alley of Central London, a new production is bringing the “punks, freaks and weirdos” back to Soho. Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett has opened at the recently revived The Boulevard (now Underbelly Boulevard), a gritty and glamorous series of jaw-dropping acts led by the show’s titular character, Bernie Dieter. Expect a host who gives Frank-N-Furter meets Marlene Dietrich meets Lady Gaga and performances that are subversive, hilarious, but also quite touching. And, of course, come prepared for a strong dose of audience participation.
ELECTRIC WINTER
Between The Bridges on the South Bank is being transformed into Electric Winter, with the heated and covered areas, plus street food from the likes of BBQ Dept, Bang Bang Burger, The Duck Shed, Papi Chulo and Made of Dough. There’s a packed programme of entertainment too, with Old Dirty Brasstards, Masseoke, UKG Bingo, Swiftogeddon, and Sleigh Queen Drag Brunch featuring queens from Drag Race all hosting events so you won’t be short of festive fun.
WINTER MARKET AT SOUTHBANK CENTRE
Southbank is one of the most magical places to visit at Christmas, and they are spreading the cheer this year with a winter market featuring festive pop-ups and alpine-style chalets. As well as shopping, there’ll be street food on offer, including raclette, truffle burgers, duck wraps, and dutch pancakes, and hot bevvies to sip on.
DECK THE HALLS AT PERGOLA PADDINGTON
Pergola Paddington is transforming for another winter and this time it’s decking the halls with Christmas trees and twinkling lights. The upstairs level is turning into a winter forest complete with a lifesize Polar Express train whilst downstairs will be decked out like an alpine hall. As well as seasonal tipples like mulled wine, hot toddies, spiced ciders and boozy hot chocolates, there’ll be cheese fondue, bratwurst rolls, tarte flambée and pigs in blankets to tuck into. There’ll also be a series events, including gospel choir performances and Christmas movie screenings to get you all in the holiday spirit.
Founded by Nicole Compen, raye the store is a concept grocery store that showcases products across food, drink and wellness that all have a clear purpose and strong design. The latest edition of the pop-up shop in Covent Garden features health-conscious products from a whole host of innovative brands, 80% of which are vegan and 90% of which are from the UK, including JUX Food, Lovegrass Ethiopia, Left & Ripe, Mirror Margarita, Fermenti, BRISCO, Sixways, Indi and more. The store will also be hosting a range of events, including vinyasa yoga, candle making, gut health workshops and tasting sessions.
Elton John's Photography Collection Is Being Displayed at the V&A
Sir Elton John is obviously best known for being a musician but he’s also a keen collector of photography and he’s showcasing just some of the works he owns with husband David Furnish. The V&A is hosting the Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection exhibition, featuring over 300 prints from more than 140 photographers, many of which will be going on public display for the first time. The show covers the 1950s to the present day and feature images from the Civil Rights movement, AIDS activism and September 11th, as well portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Miles Davies and Chet Baker, with works from the likes of Horst. P Horst, Irving Penn, Herb Ritts, Robert Mapplethorpe, Cindy Sherman, William Eggleston, Diane Arbus, Sally Mann, Zanele Muholi, Ai Weiwei, Carrie Mae Weems and more.
JIMMY GARCIA'S FIRE AND FROMAGE
Jimmy Garcia is taking over the South Bank this winter with Fire and Fromage. The alpine-inspired pop-up will feature a set of (heated, obvs) igloos, serving a menu including squash soup, fondue with charcuterie, sharing steaks to cook on hot stones, and apple & brandy crumble custard tart. Or you can go for the raclette bar menu with unlimited cheese and all kinds of nice things to smother it on. N-ice ice baby.
Indulge in a little friendly competition and sweep your way to glory this festive season at The Curling Club at the Southbank Centre. With five curling sheets, there’ll be plenty of chances for you to get on the ice and show off your skills, and there’ll be winter cocktails, alpine-inspired street food including bratwurst and raclette fries, and live entertainment to keep the party going after the games have finished.
MIRACLE AT HENRIETTA
The US’s renowned Miracle bar is coming back to London just in time for Christmas. Popping up on the Henrietta Hotel’s mezzanine, the Christmas-themed pop-up will be serving up their famous festive cocktails, including the Christmapolitan (vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary & an absinthe mist) with a side of kitsch. You can also enjoy a selection of snacks from the Italian Supper Club at Henrietta whilst taking in the extravagant retro Christmas decorations and being transported back to Christmas past.
CLUB CURLING AT COAL DROPS YARD
Club Curling is back at Coal Drops Yard for some winter sports action for 2023 and this year, it’s nineties-themed. You can curl the night away on one of the six lanes in teams of up to six, and children under 12 play for free when accompanied by an adult. There’ll be a pop-up cocktail bar on site so you can have a festive tipple while you curl to the soundtrack of 90s anthems provided by weekly DJs.