The Time Out London hot list
The biggest and best things happening in London this week
You might have plans to start a detox and to save your pennies this year, but, quite frankly, sod them. Forget hibernation and head down to some of 2015's coolest events, exhibitions, restaurant openings and film screenings instead. Check out a handful of great happenings in the city over the next week, and see our pick of all of 2015's offerings here.
Got a tip for something hot happening next week? Tweet us your suggestion and it might just make our top ten!
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Ten fantastic things to do this week
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The Changeling
Until MarchThu Jan 15 – Sun Mar 1. Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT
Hattie Morahan stars as Beatrice-Joanna in Dominic Dromgoole's production of 'The Changeling', Thomas Middleton's Jacobean tragedy about treachery, lust and sin. Performed in perfect surroundings – the moody, candle-illuminated Sam Wanamaker Playhouse – Dromgoole’s new take for the Globe positively revels in everything ludicrous and anachronistic about ‘The Changeling’. The laugh-out-loud production doesn’t attempt to impart any great truth and simply embraces the gothicky camp of the story, the rich comic nuance of the language, and filters it all through the artfully lit gloom of the Sam Wanamaker.
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The Super Bowl
SundaySun Feb 1. Various London venues
It's the biggest sporting event – and usually the biggest TV event – in the American calendar, and whether you're a die-hard NFL fan who'll be yelling at the screen through every last touch down, a 'soccer' fan who's curious to see what all the fuss is about or a beer fan who welcomes any excuse for a late-night session, there are loads of Super Bowl events to welcome you with open arms. The game kicks off at 11.30pm our time on Sunday night and is likely to last around four hours. It's a bit of a marathon, but make sure you're ready to last until at least half-time when Katy Perry will be providing the entertainment.
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Portland
Five-star British food in Fitzrovia113 Great Portland Street, W1W 6QQ
It's rare to go to a restaurant and be astonished. But at Fitzrovia’s Portland, astonishment begins when the first dish arrives and doesn’t let up until the last. We were expecting high quality because of the team behind Portland, whose combined experience includes time spent at the Quality Chop House, 10 Greek Street, and a Michelin-starred restaurant in Belgium. But nothing prepared us for this bold, powerful, surprising food; chef Merlin Labron-Johnson is cooking like a wizard. The menu is also great value for this level of cooking: most ‘snacks’ and starters from £5-£7, no main course over £20, desserts £5-£7.
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Christian Marclay
From WednesdayWed Jan 28 - Sun Apr 12. White Cube Bermondsey, 144-152 Bermondsey St, SE1 3TQ
What ever Christian Marclay was going to embark on after his epic 24-hour clock film, which mesmerised and astounded audiences the world over, was going to be big. Here in London, the Swiss-American artist will turn the White Cube’s Bermondsey gallery into a symphonic masterpiece made from booze cans, bottles and glasses found discarded around east London. Sure, the clangor of our empties might not strike as being artistically simulating, but in Marclay’s video installation ‘Pub Crawl’ you’ll be immersed into a mesmerising, cacophonous soundscape. Over weekends there'll also be performances by London Sinfonietta and contemporary composers, adding another aural level to the show.
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The Great Sausage Roll Off
WednesdayWed Jan 28. The Red Lion, 2 Castelnau, Barnes, SW13 9RU
The mighty pastry-cloaked sausage is one of Britain's favourite mouthfuls, so it's no wonder snack hounds are on the hunt for London's very best. This Wednesday's competition sees entrants roll and cook their sausage rolls live before presenting them to a line-up of judges which this year include food critic Charles Campion, chef and owner of Sticky Walnut Gary Usher and winner of 2010's 'The Great British Bake Off' Edd Kimber. If you think your rolls are podium-worthy, then enter via The Red Lion's website. For those more into eating than baking, just turn up on the night – the crowd get to scoff any leftovers.
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Pajama Men – Pterodactyl Nights
Tuesday to SaturdayTue Jan 27 - Sat Jan 31. Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, W1D 3NE
The superb American physical comedy duo Pajama Men are finally back in London and with a seemingly out-of-nowhere new show. Mark Chavez and Shenoah Allen are the PJ Men, and the pair play every single role in their nonsensical adventure-story shows, seamlessly moving from one character to another. This short run at the Soho Theatre this week is guaranteed good fun, and in case you miss it, Saturday night's shows are being filmed for a new special, 'Pajama Men: Live at Soho Theatre'.
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Fill a Bag With Vintage for £15
Saturday and SundaySat Jan 31 - Sun Feb 1. Paper Dress Vintage, 114-116 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AH
Jazz up your wardrobe with some bargain vintage finds courtesy of Shoreditch boutique Paper Dress. Head east this weekend and for a January-friendly £15 you’ll be able to cram a bag full of dresses, jackets, jumpers and accessories from decades gone by. And for those handy with a sewing machine, there’ll be a limited amount of sought after vintage fabrics up for grabs, too.
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Inherent Vice
From FridayReleased Fri Jan 31. Cinemas nationwide
America's greatest living director, Paul Thomas Anderson, tackles its greatest living novelist, Thomas Pynchon, with stars including Jena Malone, Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson to name just a handful. 'Inherent Vice' is set in 1970s LA and sees a pot-smoking private detective (Phoenix) attempt to foil the kidknapping of his ex-girlfriend's new lover. Quite frankly, it could be about the adventures of a man reading the Yellow Pages and we’d still queue up for this film, which is Anderson’s first since 2011’s ‘The Master’. Expect dazzling visuals, whip-cracking dialogue (Anderson’s script reportedly has the blessing of Pynchon himself) and a general air of beautiful decay.
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Ladies & Gentlemen
Four-star cocktail joint in Kentish Town2 Highgate Road, NW5 1NR
Kentish Town locals have long noticed the disused underground lav at the bottom of Highgate Road, and many wish the convenience was still in operation. Well, it’s back in business now. Though not in its original form. William Borrell, of the family that owns Vestal Vodka, has reopened the public loos as a cocktail bar. The drinks may not equal those at nearby Knowhere Special, but Ladies & Gentlemen is already popular and deservedly so. It’s an unusual bar in an unusual setting, and an extremely pleasant place to hang out. A welcome addition to K-Town’s burgeoning bar scene, we say.
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Gilles Peterson
SundaySun Feb 1. Old Queen's Head, 44 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LN
This Sunday, global beats maestro and generally ace selector Gilles Peterson brings his thoroughly eclectic record bag to popular Islington party pub Old Queen's Head to play a special 'bag full of 7s set' – in other words he'll be playing only 7-inch vinyl. Forget chilled Sunday night vibes, however, instead expect to hear anything from disco to house to jazz to Afrobeat at this show, hosted by Red Bull Music Academy. Oh, and did we mention that entry is only £1? You can write Monday off already...
Looking for more fun in London?
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