Things to do in London – October 2019

The scene where a fresh faced Tom Hanks is in a toy shop dancing on a giant floor keyboard is one of Hollywood’s iconic moments and is certain to translate well onto the West End stage. The musical version features Strictly Come Dancing winner, Jay McGuiness as the boy who is in such a hurry to grow up, that he casts a magical body-swapping spell on himself.

The live production sticks to the movie script which will undoubtedly win the approval of London’s legion of Hanks fans and there are touching moments as the hero realises that being an adult brings with it a host of responsibilities. Catchy tunes and slick dance routines move the action along and give this modern fairytale a contemporary feel mixed with touches of nostalgia.

http://dominion.theatre-tickets.com/big-the-musical

Gastronauts in London have long told anyone who’d listen that Persian cuisine is where a lot of Asian and Middle Eastern dishes get their basics from. The co-mingling of spice with fragrances is a cooking practice that has evolved over three millennia as the Persian Empire exerted its influence over an area that stretched from India to Greece.

But this doesn’t mean that experimentation is out and Nutshell’s inventive versions of Iranian delicacies are currently thrilling the tastebuds of the Theatreland crowd in Covent Garden. In addition to popular staples like kebabs and saffron rice, you can experience just how delicious the humble aubergine can be in the hands of a talented chef. Smoked and combined with feta cheese, it’s a dish that’ll have you spreading the word: fast!

https://nutshelllondon.co.uk

Not really an origin story, Joker is given the deep method treatment by Joaquin Phoenix and the result is a dark story of obsession and alienation. Free from the usual arc of crime and punishment that straitjackets most superhero franchises, Joker tells the story of a loner that just wants to be accepted and loved.

He seeks to fulfil this desire through the medium of comedy and even though his rejection is predictable, it’s still brutally painful and leaves the audience almost hoping for some kind of redemption. That doesn’t happen, though and Joker descends into a spiral of revenge, crime and madness. If that seems heavy, don’t worry – there’s plenty of dark humour as the writers take potshots at the media circus that surrounds our anti-hero. By the end credits, you’ll be rooting for this bad guy/clown without realising it.
https://www.myvue.com/

Let’s face it: the vegan lifestyle is much more than a passing fad. The healthy eating choices that are promoted go far beyond the mere dropping of a dress size. It’s all about living in a sustainable environment where you put in more than you take out and that is a powerful message: especially among the young.

So, let’s forget about nut roasts and hemp sandals. Vegfest is a spotlight on eating, exercise, art and activism and its all done with a light, yet determined touch. There’ll be live music, talks, kids games and, of course, a huge amount of products, recipes, advice and opportunities to get involved.

https://olympia.london/whatson/vegfest-uk