Things to do in London – May 2018

Strolling across Hyde Park is once again becoming an absolute joy as Spring starts to make its presence felt among the tree lines, gardens and hedgerows of London’s great green space. It’s also great to break up any outdoor activity with a quick concert or meal. Try a free recital at the Royal Albert Hall before it gets crowded with tourists or grab a Vietnamese delicacy in Chinatown before the theatre crowds descend. Early evening events are still one of the Capital’s most democratic secret pleasures.

The commitment by Disney of the Marvel comic book universe to film has got to be one of this century’s smartest pieces of business. Marvel has moved way beyond mere sequel or franchise and has created a complete entertainment ecosystem that combines the very best CGI storytelling with genuine Hollywood A-listers.

The Avengers are the centre of this world but at the beginning of Infinity Wars they find themselves fractured, demoralised and discarded. It takes a massive existential threat to reunite them and that comes in the form of Thanos, a villain so powerful and evil that even the space gods give him room. As usual, Avengers: Infinity Wars can be enjoyed on many levels by geek or non-geek alike: a blockbuster with a heart and a brain.

The evergreen West End musical about vamps and vice gets a shot in the arm in the form of a new addition to an already multi-talented cast. Taking on the role of smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn is none other than Oscar winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr.

Gooding is brilliant as he bamboozles his courtroom adversaries and shines in the feisty swing number “Razzle Dazzle”. Getting beautiful murderers off the hook is his thing but he undoubtably gets more than he bargained for in the sleek forms of Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. As to be expected, sublime choreography and show-stopping numbers are the hallmark of this milestone production.

The name of this bustling restaurant refers to the two staples of Vietnamese cuisine that have successfully crossed over into the consciousness of London’s gastronauts. The rich aromatic broth that forms the base of any good Pho is alone worth the visit and there are lots of toppings and garnishes to choose from depending on your pocket or hunger levels.

Vietnamese buns are not to be confused with their sweet and flimsy western counterparts. They are a substantial savoury meal in themselves and they go well with almost any oriental dish.

Unlike practitioners of other genres classical musicians accept the fact that rising through the ranks entails an extraordinary amount of hard work just to get the fingers and synapses to agree with each other. To this end, recitals, workshops and even free concerts are not just an option but a welcome necessity.

The Royal Albert Hall organised free concerts on most Fridays in one of its smaller spaces just off the main rotunda. Here you will find up and coming soloists, string quartets and some unusual collaborations. The standard is extremely high and the event list is one of the most eagerly awaited in the Capital.