Things to do in London this week

Rising star Jordan Fein’s sumptuous revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods is the first actual proper major Sondheim revival to be staged in this country since the great man’s passing. It’s a clever send up of fairytales that pushes familiar stories into absurd, existential, eventually very moving territory, but it’s also a fiddly musical with a lot of moving parts. You need to get it right, and Fein smashes it, largely thanks to exceptional casting. The whole thing looks astonishing: Tom Scutt’s astonishingly lush, vivid woods are glistening, eerie and primal. The costumes are similarly ravishing. It’s just great, really, a sublime production of a sublime musical with a sublime cast.

Martino’s has seemingly opened by stealth. One day it was just there, looking like it’d been around for decades, complete with a glamorous, older Sloane Square crowd that seemed to have been propping up the bar since 1978. It’s the latest from Martin Kuczmarski, the man behind The Dover, and is a little less New York and a little more Milan, with a simple pasta and meatballs menu, and all-day dining and a majestic oval bar in the middle of the beautiful room for martini meetings. A dreamy decontamination chamber, this pearlescent womb smells like a Diptyque factory, and is adorned with fresh flowers and humming with charming staff who look up your handwritten booking in a massive leather-bound book. Staff wear white jackets and black bowties and glide across the parquet floor like Fred Astaire mid-foxtrot. Nothing on the Martino’s menu is overly outre – this isn’t a place for flashy food – but that only makes the space shine brighter.

Head to Columbia Road on a Wednesday evening this Christmas and you’ll find its more than 60 indie shops open late for all your present buying needs. Starting from November 26, mulled wine and locally-made mince pies will be on hand to give you much-needed sustenance as you shop. Sadly, the weekly carol singing that went viral in recent years is no more. 

The Rivoli Ballroom’s interior is already enough to get you in the mood for Christmas, thanks to it being decked out in opulent red and gold. Imagine, then, how festive you’ll feel after watching some fantastic Xmas movies from within its four walls. This year, it’ll be once again screening some Christmas classics, from both ‘Home Alone’s to ‘Gremlins’, ‘Elf’, ‘Love Actually’ and, yes, ‘Die Hard’. Fight over whether that last one is a Christmas movie or not among yourselves – we’re going to be too busy tucking into popcorn and ice cream.

OOF Gallery – the world’s only contemporary art gallery in a football stadium at Tottenham Hotspur’s ground – is showing the first ever exhibition dedicated to the portrayal of football in photographer Roger Mayne’s work. One of Britain’s most acclaimed street photographers, Mayne’s inner-city scenes from ’50s and ’60s London document a seismic period of postwar social change in the UK, and football is at the heart of so many of his photographs, especially of the children he captured, playing jumpers for goalposts-style games in the street. It’s children living totally free – joy against the odds and the simple ecstasy of youth.

Omar Elerian’s Young Vic production is Bengal Tiger’s British debut, coming as part of a belated wave of interest in playwright Rajiv Joseph. What’s most immediately striking is how weird it is. Much of it comes from the point of view of the ghost of a tiger (Kathryn Hunter), who starts the play alive but soon gets shot dead after Tom (Patrick Gibson) – astonishingly only the second stupidest of its two US soldier characters – taunts it with food. Although there is a through thread, Joseph’s play is best viewed as a series of vignettes or playlets about the nightmare of post-Saddam Iraq, stalked by ghosts, madness and greed for the deposed dictator’s fabled hoarded wealth. It’s not only a fine drama about the hellish, morally tangled absurdity of conflict – it’s also a diagnosis of what the Second Iraq War did to those sucked into it. 

Record store and natty wine bar Next Door Records has two branches: one in Shepherd's Bush, and a newer addition in Stokey High Street. This year it's holding Christmas markets at both locations, and you'll find more than music and booze on offer. Expect a curated selection of clothing, prints, ceramics, jewellery, homeware and accessories crafted by a roster of talented London makers. Looking for a tasteful gift for your coolest friend? This is the place to find it. 

At a party to celebrate his impending grandchild’s gender reveal, elderly Larry chokes on a pretzel and dies. He suddenly finds himself in the afterlife, 50 years younger (in the shape of Miles Teller), and quite confused that ‘Heaven’ is like a big airport, where those who’ve recently popped their clogs are trying to decide where they want to spend eternity, with the help of an Afterlife Coordinator. Will they go for Paris World, Cowboy World, Studio 54 World, or for some reason, Smokers’ World? Before Larry can figure out where to travel, his wife Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) dies of cancer and joins him in the terminal. So now they can spend their death together…or they could, if it weren’t for the presence of Joan’s first husband, Luke (Callum Turner), who she hasn’t seen since he died in the Korean War. It all makes for a cute, gentle rom-com. 

Sometimes, the last weekend before Christmas arrives with a bit of a sinking feeling attached for last-minute shoppers. But before you resign yourself to a panicked trudge round your local high street, don't despair. Black Eats is hosting a special Christmas market at Croydon's Boxpark that's full of gifts you can feel good about giving, with a curated selection of fashion, homewares, beauty, art, gifts and more, created by 40+ independent Black-owned brands. There'll be festive drinks and live DJs all weekend, as well as facepainting and activities for kids. Even better, there's a giftwrapping service so you make sure whatever pressie you choose looks picture-perfect on the big day. 

The Cause is putting on a three-day mad one for the final weekend before Christmas. Its three east London satellite venues will be taking turns to host. Friday night’s do is a rager at The Greyhound, helmed by Wiggle co-conductor Terry Francis, Saturday’s is a big blowout at the Marquee Moon and Sunday’s is a day-long affair at All My Friends. Saturday and Sunday’s parties are completely free and if you RSVP in advance you’ll get a shot on the house. The Greyhound’s get down will be free for anyone who arrives before 9.30pm.

The groanworthy title sets the tone for this fun re-telling of Dracula via close harmony singing and a stream of winkingly awful puns. Co-writers Dan Patterson (Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Mock the Week) and Jez Bond, also directing, feed an irreverent combination of Bram Stoker’s novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film version through a Mel Brooks musical mangle. This production may be gothic in origin but is panto in spirit. The actors are perfectly attuned to the show’s loudly enjoyable silliness while bringing powerhouse musical theatre chops to the singing.

The Hackney panto’s USP is Clive Rowe: less a dame than a roiling force of nature, post-pandemic, he has not only starred in every panto at the Empire but directed them too, in what has increasingly felt like a one-man (in a frock) show. But, Rowe is such a panto purist that he refuses to perform in productions of Cinderella, reasoning that there is no dame role in it. So this year, he’s directing only. This show’s heart lies with its villains: Alexandra Waite-Roberts as Oblivia, Cinderella’s cacklingly evil stepmother, who in this version, offed her stepdaughter’s dad years previously and barely makes any effort to conceal the fact. It’s a very classy, very family-friendly panto. 

London Bridge is already teeming with spots for foodies, with Borough Market attracting big crowds seeking out mulled wine and fine cheeses as the winter nights draw in. But there's an added lure this December, as Stainer Street (the station walkway between Tooley Street and St Thomas Street) hosts its very own market, courtesy of Real Food Markets. It'll sell all kinds of tempting things from independent designer-makers and artisanal food producers, making it a perfect spot to pick up a present or two - or a warming seasonal snack to munch as you soak up the city's festive atmosphere.

St Martin's Voices and St Martin's Brass will this year be bringing us some stunningly festive performances of glorious music, carol singing and festive readings. Conducted by Andrew Earis, expect to hear beloved classic songs such as ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ and ‘O Holy Night’ plus the audience carols of ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. Set against the beautiful backdrop of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, these concerts promise to be a magical start to Christmas. 

Travelling market Flea London will stop by Vinegar Yard each weekend of advent to offer shoppers a whole cornucopia of festive gifts. You can take your pick from vintage watches or jewel encrusted brooches, handcrafted candles or ceramics, vintage clothing or cool homewares, kids toys or original artworks. Street vendors will be on hand to supply mulled drinks and festive street food. 

At first sight, Candice Lin’s g/hosti, a new commission from the Whitechapel Gallery, evokes a childlike playfulness. At its centre is a maze of cardboard panels which are painted with animals like dogs, cats, and mice, cavorting in a mythical forest. Its simplistic style and bright, warm colours feel akin to the sort of whimsical mural you might find painted on the wall of a primary school. The more you weave through the circular labyrinth, however, the more you realise you’re immersed in something altogether more sinister and political than first meets the eye. g/hosti is a show that could be misconceived if you do not linger long enough to absorb its hidden details. The more it unfolds, the more it unsettles and makes you think. 

Swap church pews and carols for festive pop songs and a table at the UK’s largest beer hall. A live pianist will be conducting a great big raucous singalong at Big Penny Social as part of its packed Christmas programme. Once everyone’s vocal chords get tired, the venue will keep things going with a soundtrack of seasonal bangers and classic crowd-pleasers until 1am. 

Looking for a wholesome, creative night out that doesn’t involve a hangover (unless you BYOB)? Token Studio in Tower Bridge offers relaxed, hands-on ceramics classes where you can spin, shape and decorate your own pottery piece. Whether you fancy throwing a pot on the wheel (£32) or painting a pre-made mug or plate (£23), it’s the perfect mix of fun, mindful and surprisingly therapeutic. And to top it all off, you can sip while you sculpt as it’s BYOB and super chill.

Buy a Token Studio session from just £23, only through Time Out Offers. 

Hidden somewhere between a theme park, an escape room and a real-life video game, Phantom Peak isn’t just your average day out. This open-world adventure based in Canada Water invites you to explore a fictional steampunk town at your own pace, chatting to quirky characters, uncovering mysteries and slowly piecing together your own story.

With 11 unique trails, a rotating calendar of seasonal storylines, and a cast of live actors guiding your experience, no two visits are ever the same.

Get discounted adult tickets exclusively through Time Out Offers