TIMEOUT.COM/LONDON December 8 ñ 14 2020 No. 2603

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s Christma ever

Donít worry though, weíre bringing the festive feels

CHRISTMAS GRUB: SPREAD EAGLE BY SAM A HARRIS; ILLUSTRATION: RAMI NIEMI; WINTER LIGHTS: BLENHEIM PALACE there are lots of ways we can help blazing with bulbs, like that bit on London’s venues and musicians We can’t go to gigs right now, but Lovely light trails: snowy fields the runway in ‘Die Hard 2’ Illuminati Live and indirect PAGE 18 PAGE 40 Inside This issue ofTimeOut This issue 6 in notimeatall City life

10 Global briefing 12 Free Christmas 18 Keep London music live 24 Exclusive offers 25 Things to Do 34 Food & Drink service service for all your theatrical needs. NT at Home is the new subscription Play for today We pick some highlights

PAGE 46 FEATURES AND REGULARS 38 Love Local 40 Escapes 42 Time In 3 Roast Chinese duck for Christmas Great places for festive eating out. dinner? dinner? Why the hell not? No washing up covered in fake snow. What’s going on? charming charming markets and Covent Garden PAGE 34 Carol concerts, spooky stories, And finally…

Time Out London December 8–142020Time PAGE 25

Hello, London Advertising 7813 6000, [email protected] Circulation [email protected] Joe Mackertich Global Editor-in-Chief Caroline McGinn London Editor London Editor Joe Mackertich @j_mackertich Deputy Editor/Chief Sub Editor Chris Waywell Deputy Chief Sub Editor Sarah Cohen

Features Kate Lloyd (Editor) News & City Life What do I want for Christmas? Probably the same thing as you. Isabelle Aron (Editor) Events Katie McCabe A nice arm-full of syrupy, delicious vaccine. Obviously first (Editor), Alexandra Sims (Deputy Editor) dibs must be given to those who need immunisation most: the Film Phil de Semlyen (Global Editor) elderly; little children; whoever restocks the Jambon-Beurre Culture Eddy Frankel, shelf at Pret A Manger. But once they’ve had their fill, I’m there, Andrzej Łukowski sleeve rolled, forearm extended, hand twitching unnervingly. Global Commercial Editor Stephen Farmer Global Branded Content Editor Rose Johnstone There’s a few other things I’d like for Christmas too (anyone Commercial Designer Julia Robinson averse to shameless sentimentality would do well to look Commercial Copywriter George Blew away now). I want London to rise like a beautiful, rain-sodden Head of Digital Content phoenix. I want every pub that’s teetered on the brink of Jordan Waller London Digital Director/ insolvency to have its best year ever. I want people to keep Drink Editor Laura Richards Engagement Editor eating and drinking on the streets of Soho. I want club nights Sam Willis International Editor and subtitled film screenings that I’m too old and too stupid, James Manning International Travel Editor respectively, to attend. I want to attend them anyway. I even Ellie Walker-Arnott International Commissioning want Baker Street once again to become a heaving mass of Editor Huw Oliver

bald heads and tattoos every time there’s a football match at Art Director Bryan Mayes Picture Desk Manager Wembley. I miss people. I miss you. Ben Rowe Photographer Andy Parsons Head of Production Dave Faulkner Not getting what you want for Christmas is a rite of passage. Production, Admin and Sales But this year I’m feeling hopeful. Support Katie Mulhern-Bhudia Commercial MD EMEA Lawrence Horne Advertising Sales Ian Tournes (Director), Natalie Reynolds, Juliet Grant, Banbha O’Hagan, Nesha Fleischer, James Hooper, Robyn Eldridge, THE EDITOR’S ESSENTIALS Three things you have to do in London Emma Myland Creative Solutions Wayne Mensah (Director), Charlie Liddington, Nicola Foxwell Project Management Junior Olokodana (Project Management Lead), Nicki Wymer, Zara Taylor MD Global E-commerce Minesh Shah Time Out Group CEO Julio Bruno

BUY this WATCH this SUPPORT this Cover Photography Andy Parsons The Good Gift Wrap: nice Classic Album Sunday interviewed Hackney Laces is a community-run sustainable wrapping paper. Every Kae Tempest over the weekend football club for girls. They do great roll sold helps three homeless about Roots Manuva’s ‘Brand New life-coaching work too, so buy one of people keep warm this winter. Second Hand’. their natty totes.

Time Out Digital Ltd 77 Wicklow Street, London, WC1X 9JY. @timeoutlondon facebook.com/timeoutlondon @timeoutlondon timeout.com/news www.timeout.com 020 7813 3000 NOT FOR RESALE

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 4 Advertisement feature

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Vibrating yoga pants Wearables are about to become I like the way a big deal. 5G allows for near- instantaneous data speeds, which means that sensors in your tech- enhanced yoga leggings could buzz you to get you into the correct positions, helping you to perfect that tough move warrior pose. And that’s not the only place you’ll find such wearables FANCY AN woven into clothes: your swimsuit Thanks to 5G, we’re already could soon tell you about UV EXTRA ARM? seeing mind-blowing developments exposure so you can avoid sunburn. in hi-tech health and fitness, Prosthetics that can think from yoga pants that will help For most of us, physical tasks such Of course you do. As 5G perfect your downward dog to as reaching for a glass of wine at the allows prosthetic limbs to dinner table are unconscious; you be instantly responsive, very intelligent prosthetics make a choice to do so, and your Dr Faisal found, in an arm obeys your brain. But what if experiment on human a prosthetic arm could read those augmentation, that the f you got excited about signals and act in a similar way? On brain can start reading Ismartwatches that measure your the podcast, the hosts interview users’ intentions much daily steps, then you better sit Dr Aldo Faisal, professor of AI and more efficiently than they down to read this. When it comes to neuroscience at Imperial College, expected. Within an hour, a the quest for physical perfection, us about exactly this – and how 5G can test subject was able to eat, humans have never accepted a limit enable it to become a reality. drink coffee and paint using – and with the rise of 5G-enabled an arm for each. Whether technology we’re about to see major Exoskeletons (yes, really) the painting was actually new developments. Hear the whole If the first thing you think of is a any good is another story… story by listening to Samsung’s new Marvel superhero, then honestly podcast, ‘Whatever Next?’, hosted you’re not far off. Scotland-based by Dr Hannah Fry and comedian company Anatomical Concepts is Suzi Ruffell. We’ve pulled out a few developing the Indego Exoskeleton, exciting nuggets from the latest which will allow people with injuries Listen to episode seven, ‘Interactive episode, which is all about the future or lower-limb paralysis to walk yoga pants’, on Spotify, Google of health and fitness. again. Life-changing stuff. Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.

Search for the ‘Whatever Next?’ podcast today! City life City life

Edited by Isabelle Aron @timeoutlondon

All right, now Christmasis here The Churchill Arms in Kensington is refusing to let the pandemic get in the way of its famous festive display. We find out why business as usual is so important this year

LONDON ISN’T SHORT on seasonal traditions The pub’s first display was in Ž˜™š, when the Unsurprisingly, given the shitshow of a year – clinging to the side of the Natural History building was decked out with Ž fir trees. It’s we’ve had, people’s enthusiasm for Christmas Museum’s ice rink, haggling over turkeys become increasingly elaborate over the years seems to have kicked in early. Grosvenor at Smithfield’s Christmas Eve meat market, and in ’Ž˜, it peaked at Ž’’ trees covered in Square restaurant ˆŒ Mayfair put up its ŽŒ‘’’’ watching swimmers brave the Serpentine on thousands of twinkling lights. It’s earned its decorations in October, pubs serving takeaway December . And one of the first signs of the reputation as London’s most Christmassy pub. mulled wine in Lockdown ”’ did a storming festive season isn’t the John Lewis TV ad, but This year, it’s going big on lights, with ›™‘’’’ trade and Christmas tree sales are up by Œ the Christmas lights switch-on at Kensington bulbs, plus  trees and, instead of the usual percent compared to last year. boozer The Churchill Arms. Christmas banners, Ž NHS flags. The switch Keogh hopes that The Churchill Arms will bring The pub is defiantly sticking to the programme was flicked last week and the pub streamed it on some much-needed joy to Londoners. ‘People this year. ‘We always make a big effort for Facebook for those who couldn’t make it. ‘We would be disappointed if we didn’t have anything. Christmas and it’s a tradition we want to didn’t want to let anyone down,’ says Keogh. It’s important to the regulars and the customers. maintain,’ says manager James Keogh. ‘We’ve ‘We’re keeping up the traditions. We want to We wanted to give something back for all their been doing it for ˆ years and we didn’t want to celebrate in some way. People need the uplift and support, especially through the difficult times

have one year where we didn’t do anything.’ the extra festive cheer this year.’ this year.’ Isabelle Aron SKOVSENDE THOMAS ARMS: CHURCHILL

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 6 City life LIFE HACKS

London professionals KENNINGTON on how to…… LANE SE11

THE STREET THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

Performer Travis Alabanza reminisces about the RVT

AROUND 2015, I lived near The Royal Vauxhall Tavern on Kennington Lane in Vauxhall. It was around the time that I first started performing in London. I basically lived at the Tavern – I was either there working Fill your home with foliage or watching performances. Vauxhall became the first place, outside of my home Amanda Brame Director of horticulture, Nik Southern Founder, Grace & Thorn in Bristol, where I felt like I Petersham Nurseries ‘Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas. Make yours knew the beat of it. I would ‘Bring a little festive drama into your home: last by using dried flowers and foliage on a moss walk past the Tavern when fill a container with potted plants such as wire-ring base. After Christmas, pop it above it was open and I’d stop for hellebore Christmas Carol, ferns and your mantelpiece or use it as a table ten minutes and have a chat indoor paperwhites or hyacinths. Add centrepiece. Mix it up by swapping in with the security guard a few twiggy stems, foliage covered in seasonal flowers all year around.’ or have a cigarette with berries and a pine cone or two.’ someone I knew in the pub. Alice Howard Owner, My career grew while Veronika Kusak Director, Botanique Workshop living near Kennington Pines and Needles ‘Make “bunting” using leaves, sprigs of Lane. The Tavern is the only ‘Position your Christmas tree away from holly, slices of dried orange, pine cones, or venue in London where I’ve radiators and fireplaces. Trees drink more than even foliage you’ve foraged. Get a long length of performed so often over the you do at Christmas: around three pints of water a ribbon and tie each item along it, spaced out like years you can see my growth day. To pep your tree up, give it a slug of lemonade flags on bunting. It’s super-simple and would look as an artist. or crush an aspirin and mix it into the water.’ lovely strung against a wall or hung over a mirror.’■ If you know your queer history, you can throw a penny from Kennington Lane and probably hit a ? ? legend. The Tavern is the ASK AN EDITOR oldest LGBTQ€ venue in the country and there have been Your going-out problems solved by Time Out editors some amazing performers there. Doing shows there was an education for me – Hettie from Walthamstow asks: appearances, as it’s topped with a when you’re not trained as a ‘I’m finding it hard to get into the cloud of whipped rice cream. If you performer, you learn in the festive spirit this year. Where should don’t fancy the hot stuff, Bethnal clubs. I miss living there. I go for a Christmassy cocktail to get Green’s The Sun Tavern is mixing Kennington Lane was really me feeling merry?’ up a menu of festive cocktails foundational for me. Long that includes a delectable Terry’s live The Royal Vauxhall Laura Richards, Chocolate Orange Negroni (it’s Tavern!
Interview by drink editor mine! etc etc) fashioned from Paula Akpan After the year we’ve orange-peel gin and cacao nibs. ‘Overflow’ by Travis Alabanza is had, you’re gonna Best of all, the bar is bottling at The Bush Theatre. Dec 8-22. need chocolate. And lots of it. them up as part of its Christmas The Spread Eagle is whipping up cocktail Quarantini Kits, available jumbo hot chocs spiked with your to buy online, so you can feel just choice of rum, brandy, frangelico or as festive at home. And you won’t The Sun Tavern amaretto. Simple, satisfying stuff have to crack open that ancient Explore more of the city at
BOTANIQUE: YESHEN VENEMA; SUN TAVERN: THE UMBRELLA PROJECT; TRAVIS ALABANZA: LEVITICUS HINDS LEVITICUS ALABANZA: TRAVIS PROJECT; UMBRELLA THE TAVERN: SUN VENEMA; YESHEN BOTANIQUE: – and it’s vegan-friendly, despite bottle of Advocaat. timeout.com/thingstodo

7 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London City life W RD READY-MADE SUNDAY O N T HE Jamz Supernova’s Crystal Palace STREET

The BBC Radio Xtra DJ, record label founder and south Londoner on her ideal way to round off the week Overheard something weird? Tweet us #wordonthestreet @timeoutlondon

‘I once sat on a Christmas ham all the way to Nottingham.’ ‘Argh, I need a wee wee!’ ‘What race of fish is a scampi?’

Crystal Palace Park Market ‘I’ll put my location in your destination.’ 10am Explore nature breweries sell beer, wine and gin, ‘I’m sweating too I go to South Norwood Country Park and there’s hot food. most weekends with my dog. It’s a much, I’m starting to big space with a woodland and lots 4pm Hunt for trinkets smell of weed.’ of trails. I go along the lake and the There are lots of independent shops side streams, through the brambles. at Crystal Palace triangle. I like Mrs ‘Who actually likes You can have a good walk in there. Robinson. It sells loads of homeware prawn sandwiches? that you don’t really need, like bronze They’re unsettling 11am Go for brunch lamps and pineapple ice buckets, but It’s technically in Penge, but I love I always end up buying something. in the mouth.’ Blue Belle Cafe the . I’ve been going ‘It wasn’t around there for years with my mum. It’s run 6pm Have a pub roast by a lovely couple. The full english I think The Alma does the best roast my fanny, I was just and mackerel hash are my favourites. in Crystal Palace. I’d have beef, but fannying around.’ there are good veggie options too. 1pm Stock up They don’t scrimp on the vegetables ‘Imagine having Crystal Palace Park Market only or the yorkshire puddings – they’re to curtsy to launched in September and it’s the size of your face. your mum.’ so nice. You can get organic fruit
Check out Jamz Supernova’s record label and veg, cheese and meat. Local FutureBounce at futurebounce.bandcamp.com ‘Don’t worry about desktop, desktop is dead.’ ‘Rishi Sunak was serving beer in LONDON MAKERS my dream last night. What does Soap in a can? You betcha. East London- that mean?’ based KanKan makes chic toiletries with ‘Right, is a scotch egg eco-packaging, including cans and a substantial meal refillable ‘forever bottles’. This month, or not?’ snap up its limited-edition collaboration with London designer Supermundane.
The Super Starter, £36. www.kankan.london Overheard something weird? Tweet us #wordonthestreet

@timeoutlondon PARSONS ANDY KANKAN: MORALES; AZU MARKET: PARK PALACE CRYSTAL MAHANEELA; SUPERNOVA: JAMZ

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 8 City life MOST GOOGLED Why are there so many foxes in London?

URBAN FOXES ARE a familiar common than in the surrounding sight in London. They wake us countryside. As foxes have become up with screeches in the night, used to sharing their habitats and getting spooked by an orange with humans, they’ve spread streak darting out of a hedge on into the centre of the city. ‘The a tipsy walk home is practically number of foxes drawn to urban a rite of passage. They’ve even living is thought to have increased been spotted in the choir stalls at significantly in the last three St Paul’s Cathedral. But why does decades,’ says Frith. ‘There are now the capital have so many of the red very few areas of London where they mammals roaming its streets? aren’t present.’ ‘The red fox started appearing But city living isn’t without risks: in cities following World War I,’ ˆ„ percent of the fox population dies explains Mathew Frith, director of in traffic each year. Despite this, the conservation at the London Wildlife number of foxes in London seems Trust. ‘New transport systems to remain constant, and London life allowed people to work in one place has its perks. ‘There can be more and live in another, and suburban opportunities for food and shelter in housing was built in once rural cities than in the countryside,’ says areas. Foxes quickly adapted, taking Frith. Maybe our plucky pals have advantage of the food and shelter in got a taste now for stale sourdough these new, relatively large gardens.’ and vegan fried chicken. El Hunt The trust estimates there are around ƒ„ „„„ foxes living in London at the moment and in certain boroughs they’re more Find more London stories at timeout.com/news FOX: PETER SUMMERS/GETTY IMAGES; ILLUSTRATION: JENNI SPARKS JENNI ILLUSTRATION: IMAGES; SUMMERS/GETTY PETER FOX:

9 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London City life

Edited by James Manning timeout.com/travel @timeouteverywhere

YOUR WORLD ACCORDING TO TIME OUT

The best stories from our editors around the globe

This breathtaking mountain train will make 2021 proper scenic

USA venture from operator Rocky WORLDWIDE It’s not every day we’re cock-a-hoop Mountaineer (which already You (yes, you) may have the world’s at the announcement of a new rail operates three famous routes in sexiest accent line. But here we are, rejoicing at Canada) will launch next August, Britain has bloody loads of accents, from cockney the news of a new glass-domed with luxury carriages and catering. to Weegie to Brumtastic. But whatever ‘a British train that will take passengers on a Fares start at †‡ˆ‰Š: pricy, yes, but accent’ actually means, it’s officially very sexy, two-day trip from Denver, Colorado if you’ve got an overdue honeymoon according to our latest Time Out Index survey. to Moab, Utah, passing through or a big birthday, this is one hell of a We asked more than ’“‡ŠŠŠ people in ’Š-plus the stunning Rocky Mountains way to spend it. Anna Rahmanan, countries which accent they found hottest, and and stopping at the thermal resort Time Out USA British accents took a whacking ˆ‰ percent of the of Glenwood Springs. The latest www.rockymountaineer.com vote, beating French and Italian (for real). Most Brits, though, said that Irish accents were the

fittest. Call it the Connell Effect. James Manning TUNGCHEUNG/ KONG: HONG MOUNTAINEER; ROCKY TRAIN: TOOLATE/@NEWSFROMTOOLATE MASK: FACE SHUTTERSTOCK;

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 10 City life

Get the latest from cities worldwide at timeout.com/news

UK Soak the pain away in this actual mulled-wine hot tub The sweet, cinnamony scent of mulled wine is a comforting Christmas regular. But what if you could actually bathe in it? Turns out one spa in Cheshire is already on the case: throughout December, Shrigley Hall is offering guests a soak in a scented, wine-filled hot tub, a frankincense massage and a cinnamon body scrub, plus, of course, a snifter or two to actually drink. We’re feeling merry already. Huw Oliver www.spaseekers.com

HONG KONG Hong Kong is the world’s most expensive city… again You may think London is pricy, with its † pints that you can only drink if you also order an ‡ scotch egg. But that’s nothing in the grand scheme of things. The latest Worldwide Cost of Living report by the Economist Intelligence Unit has named the world’s most expensive city right now – or, we should say, cities. Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong are all equally spenny, apparently, with London only at number ”. And of those three, HK has already been named the most expensive city once this year, in June’s Mercer Cost of Living Survey. So maybe not the place for a budget trip, no matter how much you love dim sum.JM

MALDIVES You could live in a Maldives bungalow for a whole year New year, new pad? Well, how about the almost comically luxurious overwater bungalows (ie, built on stilts above the sea) of the Maldives? Resort Anantara Veli launched an offer last month for unlimited FRANCE bungalow residency from January A Parisian street artist is framing and to December ””ž, with a price tag shaming facemask-discarders that works out at †Ÿ a night – less Like you, French street artist Toolate has been than a one-bed in the posher bits wondering why people are throwing facemasks of London. You also get unlimited in the street. Unlike you (probably), he’s turned wifi, breakfast for two every day and vigilante. Last month, Toolate collected  dirty transfers to the capital city, Male, masks, individually framed them and put them whenever you need. Okay, there may up on walls around the city, each with the gallery- be some visa issues to work out. Also, style caption ‘Voici l’oeuvre d’un connard’: ‘Here you have to pay up front and there’s Is the Work of a Dickhead’. It’s ƒD chess, art-style. no kitchen. But just think: white sand, Time Out Paris editors blue seas and… hammocks!
JM www.instagram.com/newsfromtoolate www.anantara.com

11 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London 15 Christmassy things that cost a Londoner nothing

Virtual concerts, public light installations, pretty walks and more. This is your guide to getting a big old dose of the festives for free. Illustration Sebastian Schwamm Harrods

Do a big bike ride of all and wonky boy we are gifted from cheeky free glimpse of the beautiful to buy them a massive teddy. the Christmas trees in Norway every single year. interior too.) For more religion, less That’s what standing in Harrods 1central London Multiple locations. bank affiliation, tune into one of or Fortnum’s gets you: Œ€€ percent What’s more fun than casting a the cathedral’s advent services on unfiltered Christmas feels, served judging eye over lovely things Have a brief spiritual Twitter through December. with a side of awful kids to give you moment on the internet people have lovingly created to 2 www.stpauls.co.uk something decent to bitch to your celebrate a lovely part of the year? Get in touch with the so-called friends about in this gossipless year. Not much, really. So, go on, grab a ‘true meaning of Christmas’ by Hang around in It’s exactly the little pick-me-up we pen and get your most organised tuning into a free live-streamed Harrods for a bit just all need in –€–€. Use wisely. 3to feel something friend to make an over-complicated service from St Paul’s Cathedral this 87-135 Brompton Rd. scoresheet. Then head out together year. That’s right: God’s gone virtual, Close your eyes. Imagine thick, on a tour of central London’s big-ass baby! ‘A Celebration of Christmas’ glorious boughs of holly, streams Spend an afternoon in and big-budget Christmas trees. will air via the famous cathedral’s of light-reflecting tinsel and shiny one of London’s pretty 4villagey bits Start with Coal Drops Yard’s new- social-media accounts on December presents tied with bows. Imagine the fangled terrarium-inspired one Œ­ and will be sponsored by the smell of cinnamon, hot chocolate Plan a day hanging out in Christmas (made of ­€ glass micro-gardens), famously holy Lloyds Bank. The and fresh-cut wreaths. Imagine movie London. The one where then make your way past the lads at big Paul’s promise a) words giant piles of toys, hampers full Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley and chubby Covent Garden „€-footer and b) music that’ll help you mark of luxurious food and… some Colin Firth spend a lot of their before finishing in Trafalgar this special time of year with all Burberry-clad child called Milly screen time in December, saying

Square, home to the extremely tall the pomp it deserves. (You’ll get a or Miles screaming for their nanny things like ‘gosh’ and ‘goodness’ MATTEI/SHUTTERSTOCK DE MAURIZIO HARRODS:

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 12 Free Christmas

£0.00

and ‘oh, that’s terribly nice of you’. You know the bits: pretty houses with stucco fronts, stores that sell only wooden children’s toys. The best spot for this vibe? Notting Hill. There you’ll stumble upon  St Luke’s Mews, the place where Mark awkwardly declares his love on cue cards in ‘Love Actually’. Stop by The Churchill Arms while you’re there. It’s a pub that’s decorated with row upon row of Christmas trees strewn with thousands of lights every year (see p„). Magical stuff. Multiple locations. Meet the deer in 5Richmond Park Did you know that Richmond Park is one of David Attenborough’s favourites? You can understand why: this vast expanse of field and woods in south-west London contains everything from a semi- secret Victorian flower garden (the Isabella Plantation) to a big hill that you can see as far as St Paul’s from. But the best thing about it? The red and fallow deer. They’ve lived there since Ž„‘. That’s when Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague (the OG one) and got the deer to come along too. When you spot them pottering about on a frosty day, it’s about as Christmassy a view as London has. No word yet as to whether they’re distant relatives of Rudolph and his crew, but we’re sure the results of their •andMe tests will come in any day now. Richmond Park.

13 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Free Christmas

Take a walk down London’s most 6Christmassy street Strolling down Lower Morden Lane in December is like downing a Gratis! bottle of neat Christmas spirit. The residents of the south London road have decked out their houses in OTT decorations for more than
 years. We’re talking American suburb decorations – big inflatable santas, light-up reindeer, massive baubles. It’s got so good at glowing up that people come all the way from bloody Portsmouth to visit. If you want to take a look too, know that the houses are free to peer at but the event is a fundraiser for St Raphael’s Hospice, so it’s good to cough up a couple of pounds if you can. Probably best not to mention electricity bills to any of the locals either. Lower Morden Lane. Peruse pretty snowscapes at the 7National Gallery For all the white stuff with none of the tube cancellations, pay a visit to the many snowstorms in the National Gallery’s permanent collection. Start with Hendrick Avercamp’s cockle-warming ‘A Winter Scene with Skaters Near a Castle’ (room
Š). Then visit room ŒŒ for Camille Pissarro’s ‘Fox Hill, Upper Norwood’, a slushy scene that Christmas Winter Village at Battersea Power Station looks towards Crystal Palace, over the hill, just out of view. End with Caspar David Friedrich’s existential ‘Winter Landscape’ in room ŒŠ. It features a gothic church looming is like stepping into a glossy period ›œŠ acres of former royal hunting over the horizon and a forlorn Tiny drama adaptation of London’s past. forest, dotted with sculpturee trails. Tim figure sat on a rock, having Piccadilly and Burlington Arcades. It’s roughly an hour and a half’salf’s abandoned his crutches to pray for drive from London’s true centrentre salvation. Ahh, festive cheer! Plan a day trip to see (M&M’s World) and offers hundredsundreds Trafalgar Square. the firs in King’s Wood of opportunities to see Christmasstmas 9in Kent trees chilling with their familiesilies and Go see the decorations Sure, that Christmas tree you’ve got friends in the wild. in Piccadilly’s arcades 8 in your kitchen-lounge is pretty. Ashford, Kent. Oxford Street and Carnaby Good height, Decent girth. Looks Street might grab most of the great with those knowing novelty Wander along the Go to a Christmas London Christmas lights switch- ‘Tiger King’ baubles you bought 10 South Bank 11 market on headlines every year. from Stoke Newington It’s one of those things The pandemic might have (And, fair play, they Church Street to gussy that people who live in not-London claimed office Christmas parties, have had the likes of it up. But isn’t it sad imagine Londoners must do all the New Year’s Eve and our happiness, the Spice Girls and that, time. ‘Just a little wander down the but one thing it hasn’t swallowed Kylie Minogue here in London, South Bank, maybe go up the Oxo up is window shopping. There’s pop by to do it.) we only ever Tower then dinner at Zizzi!!!’ And, to a handful of free-entry Crimbo But there are far see firs in be honest, why don’t we? Strolling markets still running this festive nicer twinklers captivity? Every along the South Bank on a December season. Perhaps Selfridges’ mews- to check out year we cut evening is hella festive. There are the side one (with fairground rides, gift in our city. The them off from smells of mulled wine and roasted stalls, street food and a ‘tunnel of real treats can their roots and nuts. There’s the twinkling of lights light’ installation) might be for you? be found in the drag them into on the nearby bridges and their Maybe you’d rather support local Burlington and our tiny flats to die reflections in the Thames. This year creatives at Pexmas Emporium (a Piccadilly Arcades. alone. Wouldn’t it, it’s all even Christmassy-er thanks feast of stocking fillers at Copeland South Bank These glazed streets run for once, be nice to see to ‘Winter Light’: a series of glowing Park). If it’s raining? Greenwich’s off Piccadilly in the West End them frolicking (metaphorically) artworks commissioned by the indoor night market, running on

and have been home to quaintly in the wild habitats where they Southbank Centre. Wednesdays through December, TRAVELS/SHUTTERSTOCK CK BANK: SOUTH HANSON; RICHARD BATTERSEA: posh stores for more than a hundred belong? Well, you can, if you go on ‘Winter Light’. Southbank Centre. offers all things handmade and eco- years. Strolling through them now a day trip to King’s Wood in Kent: Until Feb 28 2021. friendly. Whichever you pick, may

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 14 Mahdis Moghadam, owner of Piacere restaurant, London

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2 guests 2 yes Free Christmas

the Male London Welsh Rugby Choir. Disclaimer: you’re going to want to donate some money to the organisers because, while they are free, they are also fundraisers. FREE! Tickets for both available via Eventbrite. Have a moment of peace and quiet in 14 Croydon Christmas can be an overwhelming time in a normal year. Add to that the whole pandemic thing and it’s no wonder many Londoners are feeling frazzled. Want to counter that? Take part in Peace in the Park at Croydon’s Coombe Wood Gardens. It’s a season of walking, sharing and guided meditations in the forest with a little tree-hugging thrown in too. Coombe Wood Gardens. Every Wed until Jan 6 2021. Tickets available via Eventbrite. Go to a pop-up like 15 it’s the old times What would Christmas in London be without a gaudy pop- up? This year’s big ones have been canned. But do not fear. Winter Village is landing at Battersea Power Station. There you can stroll through  Christmas trees before having a chill on a jetty by the Thames. Wavey Garms is also putting on its XXXmas Pop Up in Walker’s Court in Soho. It’s an option if you’re less keen on firs, more keen on Sports Banger and posh Burlington Arcade teenagers in vintage tracksuits. ■ Multiple venues.

we recommend taking your richest is still running and has been joined loved one and pointing out things, by another living advent calendar saying ‘Oh, isn’t that nice! I wish I this year in Walthamstow – with could buy it to put my monstera in!’ windows due to light up on Winns before running off ‘to the toilet’ to Terrace, Brighton Avenue, Hove give them time to buy it. Avenue and Camden Road. See how Multiple locations. many windows you can spot. Multiple locations. Witness a living advent calendar in Attend a virtual 12Walthamstow 13carol concert Back in , a community art Absolute West End head? project was launched in Whitehall Here’s a treat for you. The stars of Park, Highgate. The plan was for shows like , ‘The Lion King’, ‘Mary ‚ volunteers to turn their front Poppins’ and more are coming windows into a giant together to put on a virtual neighbourhood-wide Christmas singalong advent calendar. on December  On each day of for movement December a disorder charity household would Naomi’s Garden. illuminate their Meanwhile, window with a you can catch pretty design. a glimpse of The aim? To make the beautiful both volunteers and Lambeth Palace passers-by feel part of while streaming a community and less Advent calendar its concert ‘A Starry Find fun thatthat window lonely at a difficult time of Night’ on December . costs money at the year. (A sentiment that’s needed Expect appearances from the timeout.com/

in  more than ever.) The project English National Opera Choir and christmas INC/ PRESS ZUMA ARCADE: BURLINGTON COLLINS BRIGIT WINDOW: ADVENT ALAMY;

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 16

No home. And no one to turn to.

Will you help us be there for young people at risk?

Homeless at just 16, Jen* would walk the dangerous streets at night, trying to snatch a =;lbm|;vvѴ;;rbm7oou-vķ0|o[;m|oo scared to close her eyes. Jen’s nightmare ended when she found safety and a chance to turn her life around with a room at Centrepoint. Please give £20 [;u-;-uo=1ubvbvķ7;l-m7=ououv;u b1;v this Christmas _-vm; ;u0;;m]u;-|;u+;|b|Ľv0;1ol;_-u7;u |_-m; ;u|ou-bv;|_;=m7v;m;;7$_bv to help give a Christmas, we must be there to keep young young person people like Jen safe from harm. We cannot fail a hot meal and a them now. But we need your help. +ou]b[1oѴ70;|_;|umbm]robm|=ou-mo|_;u safe place to sleep homeless young person.

CALL: 0800 055 79 47 VISIT: centrepoint.org.uk/help

*We use models and change the names of the young people we work with to protect their identity; however all stories are true and as told by the young person. © Centrepoint 2020. Centrepoint Soho, operating as Centrepoint, is a charity registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales under number 292411 whose registered office is at Central House, 25 Camperdown Street, London, E1 8DZ and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 01929421. NAP2021M-01W How to keep London music live and kicking

With most of London’s nightlife venues shuttered, Alexandra Sims shares a handy guide on how to support this beloved part of our city’s culture

Friday of the month, they waive now we need communities to come Don’t just their fees, which means artists get together to make sure music venues percent of the money from don’t end up in the hands of greedy SIT-DOWN think about it, selling tracks or merch. It’s a way property developers. PARTIES to support artists whether they’re ‘Covid has shown we need to do something really established or up-and- make clubbing more inclusive in Squirt coming. It’s been a huge help for a lot the future. Amazing London nights Expect filthily good drag about it of people. It’s meant they can like Pxssy Palace and BBZ have and disco at Little Gay pay their rent, buy food been calling for more Brother’s Christmas party. DJ and radio presenter or even just release inclusivity for years, Colour Factory. Dec 11-13. Sherelle tells us what another EP. putting on nights that From £14.30. we can do to support Going to safe, cater for people with London nightlife, now Covid-secure disabilities and Craig Charles and in the future events [when it’s getting all sorts of Funk & Soul Club allowed] is another uproar from saying A day set from Charles. Plus ‘The UK music industry is worth a lot way to support Black Lives Matter. barbecue – a ‘substantial of money – ‡ˆ‰Š billion a year – but artists you love. It’s important to meal’ with your order of funk. more than that, live music makes ‘One of the support nights Brixton Courtyard. Dec 12. you feel beautiful. There’s nothing beautiful things that’s like this in the future. From £10. better than being in a room full of happened during Covid Pxssy Palace I think we’re going likeminded people dancing to the is people coming together to to have to rely on the Godfathers of same sound. People come from all support their favourite spaces, like goodness of local communities and Garage Xmas Party around the world to London nights The Cause or Five Miles. If you can, collectives to get the music sector DJ Norris ‘Da Boss’ and events: that’s really rare and we contribute to crowdfunders raising back on its feet.’ Windross and MC Creed will have to protect it. money for venues you don’t want Go to @iamsherelle on Twitter for a list of be spinning two-step and MAIN IMAGE: THE CAUSE BY LUKE CURTIS; PXSSY PALACE: BERNICE MULENGA, WITH THANKS TO NADINE ARTOIS, CO FOUNDER CO ARTOIS, NADINE TO THANKS WITH MULENGA, BERNICE PALACE: PXSSY CURTIS; LUKE BY CAUSE THE IMAGE: MAIN ‘One of the saviours at the to lose. I think a lot of people took Black producers, artists and Black-owned labels mid-tempo beats. IMAGES moment is Bandcamp. Every first clubbing for granted before and to support on Bandcamp. The Cause. Dec 24. £25-£35.

19 Buy good merch

Help your fave venue stay open and look tremendously cool while you’re at it. Win-win! 11

Face masks VFD Lyall Hakaraia, the owner of this 1 Dalston LGBTQ+ joint, is hand- 7 stitching a slew of colourful face masks. The profits from every mask bought will go towards the club. Think what a sad place Dalston would be if we lost the famous penis mural in VFD’s loos. From £15. www.vfdalston.com

Zippo lighter The Crobar Soho’s heavy metal haunt announced its permanent closure this summer by tweeting a picture of a tombstone with the words ‘Crobar Soho. Killed by landlords. 12 June 2020. RIP’. Say it ain’t so, by helping it fundraise for a new venue for it to call home. £20. www.crobar.merchdirect.co.uk

T-shirt and poster The Cause The DIY club is one of a few that carried on partying this year thanks to its huge beer garden. Show your appreciation for its efforts to keep us socialising by Screwfaced, streetwear lads buying one of its optimistic tees. Go misty-eyed posing in the dead zone 4 Donation reward. www.crowdfunder. between bar and crowd. co.uk/savethecause about the worst They’re scowling at anyone within a spilling radius of their Off-White bits of gig-going Jordan
s. Seen a gig at  Feet East? You’ve seen this lot. Prints The Dublin Castle What we woudn’t give to Whack one of these brilliant have our old bugbears back. Tuborg: Carling’s sickly, Soviet Henry/Bragg limited-edition Illustration Rami Niemi cousin. Only ever spotted in risograph prints on your wall and 5 London’s lower-mid-tier live wistfully remember what it was The unfathomably long queue venues, and in rundown Zone  like to listen to future rock stars for the women’s loos. You work cornershops with buzzy fridges in the buzzing back room of The 1 out that, given the ticket price, lined with mouse poo. Anyway, yep, Dublin Castle. Ahh, 2019: the it’s costing you
p a minute to stand three of those again please, barkeep. good old days. in line. *Cough* Printworks *cough*. £18. www.henrybragg.com/prints That bit at the back of Ally Titchy outdoor smoking areas, 6Pally’s long, flat, endless space, 2overseen by security guards where you’re only able to see the who are constantly shouting show through the raised-aloft phone Record Cafe Oto about how the shivering masses screen of the person in front of you. There aren’t many places in are not arranging themselves in a London where you can watch gigs manner befitting the regulations. PA systems are invariably either by experimental underground underpowered or overpowered. artists you’ve never heard of. 7 There’s an actual medical You’re perhaps familiar with Don’t let the sun go down on this condition called Brixton east London festivals at which grime pioneering spot by supporting its 3 Academy Neck-Crick, brought MCs perform through what sound in-house label. on by having to repeatedly switch like clock-radio speakers. Matana Roberts & Pat Thomas LP. your attention between the stage £18. www.cafeoto.co.uk/shop to your rear and the gaze-avoiding If you’ve spent any time at the bartenders ahead of you. PLEASE, Roundhouse, you’ll know the PARSONS ANDY MOXIE: AND MERCH

8 IMAGES PLEASE LOOK AT ME, MAN. fidgety frustration of finding Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 20 Live music

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yourself squished behind a huge curated playlists. It’s a deep dive into pillar, your view of the stage entirely Get really Sheinman’s eclectic forager’s brain, obscured. Adding insult to injury, GOOD GIGS mining tracks from forgotten corners you’re likely to be trapped next to a THIS MONTH into local radio of jazz, blues, post-punk and folk. non-stop heavy-petting couple. Soho Radio. Dates and times vary. There’s a whole load of top www.sohoradiolondon.com Taking their cues from Mystery Jets shows happening on indie circa-„ † Clarkson are the The lads from Eel Pie stations in our city. Tune in The one for post-punk purists 9 Island will be breaking out obnoxious bozos who will The breakfast show from Peckham- loudly deride anyone taking pics or nostalgic tracks, as well as The unadulterated dance one based station Balamii, ‘Moonshakin’ videos on their phones. new material at this socially An NTS OG, London DJ Moxie (aka with Aidan Cowley’, is packed full of distanced, seated show. Alice Moxom) has had a regular slot fuzzy cuts of psyched-out new wave, A hugely intimidating and Clapham Grand. Dec 19. on the Hackney online station since leftfield and post-punk for you to morbidly sad cloakroom From £23. it launched. Beaming out the hottest enjoy with your cereal. 10 attendant. Brrr. in London dance music the show’s Balamii. First Thu of the month, 8am. Live Jazz success is down to Moxie’s expertise. www.balamii.com More stairs than seems on the Canal She delivers cutting-edge selections plausible, given the Mercury-nominated double with knowledgeable passion and is a The one for brand new music 11 bassist Rio Kai leads a jazz size and shape of this sucker for big vocal hooks, so there’s Nothing beats that feeling of venue, and the number of storeys quartet on Grow Hackney’s chance for a singalong. discovering tunes you can show off within it. Each of the ‰Š staircases canalside terrace. Fill your NTS. Every Wed, 3pm. www.nts.live to your friends and colleagues, and is seemingly designed to be as ears with saxes. Shay Sade’ss fortnifortnightlyght show on treacherous as possible – and, as a Grow Hackney. Every Wed The one for hepcats Brixton-based ReprezentRepr Radio fun bonus, security will yell at you and Thu. £5. Hosted by Darrel Sheinmanman supplies them inin bucketloads.b if you linger on one for so much as a (owner of Gearbox Records,ds, Every edition is a veritable millisecond. (Key example? Koko.) Chamber Music on a label specialising in goldmine of futfuture bangers Wednesdays previously unreleased jazz),zz), from a trove of wworldwide A harrowing ale guff with String group Artisti con Brio ‘Gearbox Kissaten’ is inspiredired genres like SouSouth African a „’-person blast radius. were one of the first to start by Japanese kissatens: Tokyookyo house mumusic, UK trap 12 welcoming audiences back A fart almost certainly coffee shops where and bailebail funk. farted by a sheepish man now for concerts this year. people go to sip java RepreReprezent.ze Every other Sat, feigning head-nodding. Joe Madden Candid Arts Trust. Dec 9. £15. and listen to carefully 2pm2pm.. www.reprezent.org.ukww

21 Moxie DecemberDecDeDDcececebemembembmbeerr 88– – 114 20202020 Time Out London Live music Learn how to stan Channel big from a distance night out energy in your flat Art Doherty has been obsessed with Charli XCX for four years. They give their three Want to have a mad one top tips for being a far-away fan at home? Grace Goslin, DJ at virtual club night Queer House Party, reveals the best way to do it

‘Change clothes. If you’re at a three- hour Zoom DJ set, get you and your household to try a new lewk every hour. It’ll feel like there’s three times the number of people in the room.’

‘Wear an iconic outfit. At home you can wear whatever you want and no one’s going to say anything. For me, it usually involves arseless chaps.’

‘Get LED lights. I bought some in lockdown. I like the purple setting. Show up for Get busy on It gives my room GAY-Late vibes. them your socials All that’s missing ? ­€ doubles.’ ‘I stayed up until 3am ‘A lot of K-pop stans to watch Charli’s reply to popular ‘If you’re drinking, stock up on lots album-release tweets with an of booze. I usually go for prosecco or party on Zoom. My edited video of their make Margaritas. Anything to make friends did too and favourite K-pop idol it feel like you’ve got a bar.’ we all dressed up. to promote them. I was sitting in the Some Beliebers ‘Pull out some wacky dance moves living room with my load up Justin to get spotlighted at a Zoom party. A dogs wearing the Open your wallet Bieber’s music on twerk always wins or a collaborative same crazy metallic ‘Charli did a Boiler Room set that was a charity Spotify and play routine with housemates.’ eyeliner Charli wears fundraiser for homelessness in LA and she his songs on mute and a sparkly crop brought out an exclusive merchandise range so he gets higher ‘A night out should always finish with top. I dyed my hair especially. I bought two T-shirts. When she brought streaming a hearty meal. Order a greasy pizza blue specially.’ out “Vroom Vroom” on vinyl I got a copy of it, too.’ numbers.’ or McDonald’s to your house to get that post-club takeaway feeling.’ www.facebook.com/queerhouseparty. Queer

House Party is free, but donations are welcome. SOLOMON KATE INTERVIEWS: COMING AND UP LORD; ANNIE JANCSO INTERVIEW: BEN DOHERTY MNEK: ART KIM; SEBASTIAN WILKINSON: WORDS MATT PARSONS; ANDY DOHERTY: ART IMAGES

Listen to up-and-coming artists

London music heads share how they’re discovering new stuff while they’re stuck indoors

Erica Mckoy Matt Wilkinson Mnek Tara Joshi Host of Worldwide FM’s morning show Host of ‘The Matt Wilkinson Show’ Popstar and songwriter Music editor, gal-dem ‘I’ve gone back to the older ways I on Apple Music 1 ‘Always on my social media: if it’s not ‘I like leaving SoundCloud on autoplay, would find music when I couldn’t get ‘Scrolling around blogs, finding a weird on my Twitter timeline, it’s gonna pop listening to radio (especially NTS and into clubs: digging through Bandcamp one that a kid in Australia has about up on my Instagram. Or even just by foundation.fm) and pretending I’m and tuning into the radio. If it’s new their local punk scene. Also playlists: scraping through YouTube and being much younger than I am and music, I want a voice I can trust; I don’t search obscure terms and chances are drawn to the suggestions Google so braving Tik-Tok. I’ve got music nerd really get that from Spotify algorithms.’ someone’s made a playlist of it.’ conveniently throws my way!’ mates who send me stuff they like too.’

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Food, drink, screenings, pop-ups: don’t miss our exclusive offers and discounts

Candlelight Concerts

What is it? An atmospheric performance of some of the world’s greatest classical pieces. Why go? To be blown away by the magestic music of Beethoven, Brahms, Saint-Saëns and more. Plus, you’ve got the added ambience of one of London’s most magnificent churches. Wait, how much? From just ˆ‘. St James’s Piccadilly. Green Park. Dec 11. www.timeout.com/candlelightconcert

Driving experience day Yuu Kitchen Body Essential Leong’s Legend What is it? Three, six or nine laps What is it? Desserts, small bites, bao What is it? A one-hour Dermalogica What is it? The glorious return of around a racetrack in either a sports and bottomless booze for just ‡. facial in Spitalfields. one of our all-time most-popular car, a muscle car or a supercar. Why go? For ‰‡ minutes of Why go? Because your face is offers. Aka, unlimited dim sum and Why go? So you can live every flavoursome goodness. We’re damned attractive, so we’d say it’s a glass of prosecco for only . petrolhead’s dream and release your talking fluffy bao buns, crispy veg earned some proper TLC. Plus, Why go? It’s bottomless baskets inner Vin Diesel in a truly epic motor and succulent meats, washed down Dermalogica is one of the best in the of delicious dim sum, need we say (we’d recommend wearing a white with an endless stream of beer or biz when it comes to skin treatments more? Probably not, but it would tank top for the full experience). prosecco. Oh, and if you’re somehow and products – and this facial will be look weird if we stopped now. Erm, There are ten tracks available (plus still hungry after all that, there are tailored specifically to the needs of so how’s your day going? Good? Us the Top Gear one, for an extra ‡). unlimited churros, too. Tasty. your skin – so you know it’ll be good. too. And the page is done. Dim sum! Wait, how much? Experiences start Wait, how much? ‡ for the whole Wait, how much? –‘ all in. Wait, how much? Still just . at only ˆ‰ for three laps. shebang (it’s normally ‘‡, fyi). Body Essential. www.timeout.com/ Leong’s Legend. www.timeout.com/ www.timeout.com/drivingday Yuu Kitchen. www.timeout.com/yuuneedthis bodyessential dimsumdeal

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Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 24 Things to Do Things to do in London

Edited by Katie McCabe and Alexandra Sims timeout.com/thingstodo @timeoutlondon

Covent Garden is getting a daily dusting of snow this month. But, proceed with caution. Even fake snowfall can

PAUL GROVER PAUL do giddy things to a person, just look at this woman publicly pirouetting at the sight of it. See p for more.

25 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Things to Do More major art shows Ruin your Christmas at this C Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: ‘Fly in League with the Night’ devastating art exhibition English artist Lynette Yiadom- Boakye is a remarkable painter. Thick and rough with the brush, but C Tracey aren’t filtered through just precise enough. Her first major Emin/Edvard someone else’s eyes, institutional exhibition in the UK is Munch: ‘The they’re all hers. That’s a mesmerizing world of portraits. Loneliness of what makes them hit And while they nod to the classics, the Soul’ you so damn hard. The every character here is imagined and Tracey Emin lies great big washes of Black. It’s like Yiadom-Boakye has nude on a bed, red, the deep, angry reshaped art history in her image, weeping and scrawls of black, the swapped the endless white faces of bleeding. Her blue dripping like tears: the portraits of the past for a small splintered body she paints herself at handful of Black ones. It’s a simple is spattered with her most vulnerable but brutally powerful move. red, caked in and with proper, Tate Britain. Until May 9 2021. £13. dripping bodily exasperated, vicious fluids. Opposite, anger. The whole thing C ‘Tantra: Enlightenment Edvard Munch’s is so incredibly raw and to Revolution’ women mirror emotional, like walking Fancy a long tantric sesh at the Emin’s poses in on a stranger crying. British Museum? Pull your mind out in soft watercolours, all staring emptily into And the thing is, these aren’t shocking emotions, of the gutter, now. This exhibition the distance. This exhibition of the Norwegian they’re what we’ve all felt, we just hide them away uncovers the truth about the tantras, artist’s paintings of nude women alongside and crack on with life. But Emin lets them bleed sacred Indian texts from the sixth Emin’s own naked self-portraits is dark, right out of her and on to the canvas. It’s all too century that have had a dramatic harrowing and almost physically painful. Not a lot much, too bloody real. impact on the major religions of of laughs here, but a hell of a lot of feelings. The bronzes she’s made are absolutely South Asia. Expect centuries- Munch’s images are brutally morose. Every terrible, though. And hey, maybe it doesn’t worth of stunning objects, prints, woman he paints is nude, every woman looks need the Munch works, maybe it would have sculptures and paintings. somehow broken. In ‘Consolation’, one cries been just as good if it was just three rooms of British Museum. Until Jan 24 2021. £15. into her hands while another tries to comfort her. Emin’s feelings. But either way, you leave with Is it Munch’s gaze that makes them all look so the suffocating blanket of Emin’s heartache C Toyin Ojih Odutola: completely destroyed or were these women in smothering you. It’s not pleasant, it’s not ‘A Countervailing Theory’ pain already? comfortable, but it is very, very, very good art. ■ For Nigerian-American artist Toyin Regardless, you see the echo of their hurt in Eddy Frankel Ojih Odutola, drawing is a form Emin’s stunning paintings. But here the feelings Royal Academy of Arts. Until Feb 28 2021. £17. of storytelling. These new works, exhibited around the ‰Š-metre sweep of the Barbican Curve, form part of an epic series relaying an imagined ancient myth. Become circus and burlesque to the sounds clothes, and other macabre merch. totally immersed in her world, of JLo, Nicki Minaj, Madonna and, For scrooges The organisers say it’s suitable for gazing at her mega-sized portraits of course, Mariah. In line with Tier ‘well-behaved familiars and imps’. using pencil, pastel, ballpoint pen ’ restrictions, guests must buy C Satanic Winter Fayre The only satanic panic you have to and charcoal. They’re as delicate as a ‘substantial meal’ before their Fed up of festive cheer? The Satanic worry about here is the rush of last- they are beautiful. drinks. But luckily, you’ll be able to Winter Fayre is taking Christmas minute Christmas shoppers. Barbican Curve Gallery. Until 24 Jan 2021. Free. buy a ”’-inch pizza for your bubble back to its pre-Christian roots with Orbital Comics. Dec 10. Free entry. for less than a tequila shot. this gathering of Saturnalian stalls. Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. Dec 19-20. Shop taxidermy, dark arts and crafts, Wheel of the Year: Yule £25. tarot, pyrography, witchy vintage While the rest of us pre-order turkey and drag spruces into our living Christmas E Squirt rooms, witches are busy prepping Pump plenty of sanitiser onto those for Yule: a holiday dedicated to club nights palms, because queer party starters honouring the season of dark and Little Gay Brother’s Christmas cold and looking forward to the E Mariah & Friendz: shindig will be packed with filthily coming of the sun. To learn more Queer Xmas good drag shows, eye-catching looks about the ancient festival, join this All we want for Christmas is to fill and perfectly pitched house and online class from occult bookshop our weary lockdown eyes with disco beats. In line with the times, Treadwell’s where Wiccan priestess glitter, drag and cabaret. Making this is a seated affair and a whip- Rebecca Beattie will give the our dreams come true is drag troupe cracking dominatrix will be prowling lowdown on how witches mark Mariah & Friendz who are taking it between the tables making sure no Yule. It’s only a matter of time before upon themselves to save the season one crosses that two-metre distance, you’re swapping that sage stuffing by spreading festive queer cheer in so watch your step. for a ‘cleansing’ sage burning ritual. Winter Heights the form of high-octane lip-syncs, Colour Factory. Dec 11-12. From £14.30. Dec 14. £20. www.treadwells-london.com

C Central N North S South E East W West Streaming Outdoors TRACEY EMIN: BECAUSE YOU KEPT TOUCHING ME, 2019. ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, PRIVATE COLLECTION, CALIFORNIA © TRACEY EMIN. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, DACS 2020 DACS RESERVED, RIGHTS ALL EMIN. TRACEY © CALIFORNIA COLLECTION, PRIVATE CANVAS, ON ACRYLIC 2019. ME, TOUCHING KEPT YOU BECAUSE EMIN: TRACEY

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 26 Things to Do

C Winter Heights Christmassy As if to make up for all the staples of London Christmas that have been hang-outs toppled this year, a new winter-ready spot is opening up in London Bridge. THREE OF THE BEST S Nordic Spirit Wonderland The outdoor rooftop bar sat on the London’s og Winter Wonderland top of a six-storey office block will in Hyde Park may be on pause, but have “Œ‹-degree panoramic views Xmas markets there are plenty of other ‘Christmas of the city, as well as ˆ”-foot pine experiences’ making a scaled-down trees, live DJs, hot cocktails, food appearance this year. This Nordic- from Borough Market and – get this – themed winter wonderland will have bottomless fondue. Head along after pine trees, open fire pits and ‘winter- dark to see the bright lights of the big themed street food’ (aka ‘stuff city lit up around you. Plus, being covered in cheese’). What makes outside and all, you’ll be able to drink it Nordic? Well, it’ll have wooden and hang out with five other people cabins made from Scandi materials, who you don’t actually live with. and a green projection to mimic the A Christmas miracle. experience of sitting beneath Colechurch House. Until Jan 3 2021. the Northern Lights. Just T £17.50-£25. like the real thing... S I V E Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden. E Until Dec 31. £180 for six F S Greenwich Christmas Market guests. Greenwich’s ancient streets look Lovely straight out of a ‘A Christmas Carol’ come C Covent Garden F December. Soak it all up while buying Market R Y ballads handmade gifts and tasty produce at this Nordic Spirit E N Z market in the shadow of the Cutty Sark. Wonderland isn’t the S Diane Chorley: Cutty Sark Gardens. Every Sat and Sun until Dec 20. only pop-up bringing man- ‘Ding Dong Merrily made natural wonders to London. Diane’ Covent Garden’s piazza will get a When Time Out asked Diane Chorley daily dusting of snow in December earlier this year why the world thanks to a couple of snow machines needed a return of the ’—‹s nightclub pumping out sustainable white icon and so-called ‘Duchess of flakes. Add to that ˆˆ‰Š‹‹‹ twinkling Canvey’ right now, she said: ‘Cos it’s lights, glossy mistletoe chandeliers bleeding armageddon and the world and a Œ‹-foot Christmas tree and needs a tasty little disco beat.’ Well, you’ve got a scene straight out of ‘The precisely. Cast the last dastardly Snowman’. It’s SO Christmassy it’ll nine months out of your mind and even be holding London’s first ever fill it with this sequin-filled festive mulled wine festival this weekend. singalong instead, as the Duchess Covent Garden Market. Until Jan 3 2021. and her band, The Buffet, put on an N Lower Stable Street Snowfall takes place daily, on the hour, from 12 old-fashioned evening of ballads and Christmas Market noon-6pm. Mulled Wine Festival. Dec 10-13. sordid ’—‹s nightclub gossip. Coal Drops Yard’s Christmas market will Free entry. Clapham Grand. Dec 11. £23. forgo the usual stocking fillers for books, tees, and zines from Kold Sauce, Quality of Life, XFEL and They Made This. Diane Chorley Coal Drops Yard. Until Dec 20. Free entry.

E Hackney Christmas Market Bohemia Place’s regular market goes fully festive in December selling seasonal treats and gifts with a decidedly east London spin. Think vegan street food, ethical, zero-waste Christmas decorations and craft mulled wine. Bohemia Place. Dec 12-13, 19-20. Free entry. DIANE CHORLEY: CHRIS MASS; GREENWICH MARKET: MYKOLA ROMANOVSKY/SHUTTERSTOCK; LOWER STABLE: JOHN STURROCK JOHN STABLE: LOWER ROMANOVSKY/SHUTTERSTOCK; MYKOLA MARKET: GREENWICH MASS; CHRIS CHORLEY: DIANE

27 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Ten ways help people to experiencing homelessness this Christmas

Now, more than ever, those without permanent homes need our help…

s the cold draws in and Athe nights get longer, life becomes even more difficult for those experiencing homelessness. Shelter estimates that a shocking 280,000 people were homeless in England in 2019. Covid-19 also puts this vulnerable population at even greater risk – and could cause more to become homeless. Together with HSBC UK, we’ll show you how you can make a difference, whether it’s by donating, volunteering or shopping at charities. You’ll also find out about how HSBC UK is working to support those experiencing homeless with its No Fixed Address Service.

Gift some Emergency 1Chocolate Treat your sweet-toothed friend to a chocolate bar that helps to fight the housing emergency. Shelter – one of HSBC UK’s key charity partners – offers five delicious flavours: hazelnut and almond milk, white and milk, plus two vegan options (extra dark and sea salt dark). Each bar is £5 and all proceeds go back to Shelter, which supports millions of people every year struggling with bad housing and homelessness. Buy yours now at www.shelter.org.uk/chocolate. Advertisement feature

Become a 10 Community Response Volunteer During the height of the pandemic, the NHS recruited thousands of Take Sadiq’s lead Community Response Volunteers 2During Covid-19, the Mayor to support NHS workers and of London, Sadiq Khan, opened vulnerable community members. hotels across the capital for more The scheme has been extended than 1,700 rough sleepers so they through winter, which means you were able to self-isolate and receive can support those who could be the care they required. Khan also at risk of becoming homeless launched the city’s first ever Rough by shopping for emergency Sleeping Plan of Action, and is items, delivering essentials inviting Londoners to take action and more. Sign up at www. to help end homelessness. Go to nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk. www.homeless.org.uk to donate to the London Homeless Collective (which is comprised of 29 fantastic Host a virtual sleep out charities) or take a look at the 6Most of us are lucky enough volunteer positions available. to have not experienced the reality of sleeping on the streets. East Treat a young person to London-based charity Providence 3a Christmas dinner Row is working to help those who Centrepoint offers rooms, training, are sleeping rough with its Virtual mentoring and medical care to Sleep Out. You’ll pledge to sleep vulnerable young people – this year away from your bed (at home) for it estimates that 23,000 young one night and ask friends and family lives could be at risk. You can help to sponsor you. Sign up now at bring a little festive cheer into www.providencerow.org.uk. their lives by buying someone a Christmas dinner for just £10. Join the kindest coffee Visit www.centrepoint.org.uk. 7club in town Your morning cup of joe could Alert StreetLink to help transform the lives of people 4those in need experiencing homelessness. Spotted an adult sleeping rough in Change Please is best known for the capital? Tell StreetLink about its coffee carts, which are staffed What is the cycle of it and volunteers will find them by people who were homeless. financial exclusion? and offer support. You can do this You can also sign up to its coffee via www.streetlink.org.uk or by subscription, in partnership with HSBC UK is working with phoning 0300 500 0914. Old Spike. www.changeplease.org. Shelter and other local homelessness organisations Join The Big Walk to help those who struggle 5No doubt you’ve walked a lot Support The Big Is sue to open a bank account more this year – why not keep it up 8 This has been the toughest because they don’t have to raise money for Shelter? Sign up year that this big-hearted a fixed address. Without a to The Big Walk and pledge to walk organisation has ever had. Help bank account, it becomes either 3, 5 or 10km from December it to keep providing people with very difficult to access 7 to 13. Choose your route, ask much-needed income and a sense government benefits or wage some friends to donate, then boom: of purpose by buying someone a gift payments – which is why HSBC Shelter is a step closer to ending subscription. www.bigissue.com. UK developed the No Fixed homelessness. Enter now at Address Service. Since its thebigwalk.shelter.org.uk. Volunteer at Shelter launch last year, more than 9from the Storm 500 people without a fixed Got some spare time on your address have opened a bank hands? London’s free homeless account, and the number is shelter – which is funded solely by growing every day. donations and based in Islington – is looking for volunteers to help Find out more at www.hsbc. serve meals and talk with the co.uk/no-fixed-address. guests. www.sfts.org.uk.

Discover more ways to help at www.timeout.com/hsbcuk Advertisement feature Want to b e paid to b e go od?

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Find out more at www.ecoatm.com Things to Do

Photo shows Exeter Lucia 2020 – ONE Bring on the Light S ‘Unearthed: Photography’s Lately it feels like the sun has given Roots’ UNMISSABLE THING its notice from a job it’s always hated Dulwich Picture Gallery’s first and has now completely checked major photography exhibition out. That so-called ‘brightest star’ traces the history of the medium is putting in what, two, three hours from the 
s to the present a day? Bone idle. Unacceptable. In day through images of plants and Sweden, the dark winter evenings botany by  artists. Featuring more are interrupted each advent on St than 

images, the exhibition Lucia’s day with a candle procession encompasses key figures and and traditional songs, and we want overlooked artists such as English in. Exeter’s Lucia singers have been gardener Charles Jones, whose beaming up the south west with haunting, incandescently beautiful their December concerts for more pictures of fruit and vegetables were than a decade. This year, the whole posthumously discovered in a trunk thing is going online. Atmospheric, at Bermondsey Market. mesmeric, with a little touch of folk Dulwich Picture Gallery. Dec 8-May 9 2021. horror. Perfect. £16.50. Dec 13. Pay what you feel. www.facebook.com/ ExeterLucia C ‘From Here to Eternity’: Sunil Gupta Wavey Garms C Festive Family Carols by Sunil Gupta has enjoyed a divergent Candlelight international career encompassing XXXmas Pop Up Remember the days of being mildly street photography, narrative annoyed by carol singers? What portraits, early digital image-making See artwork from Sports Banger and fools we were. Now we’d pay good and photographic activism focusing a mystery Turner Prize winner at money for a bit of ‘O Holy Night’ or on the themes of sexual identity, ‘The First Noel’ action. We wouldn’t race, migration and family. An this Soho pop-up by cult streetwear even crack a smile at the inevitable inspirational figure in the LGBTQ‰ collective Wavey Garms, where you clobbering of the high note on ‘Oh rights movement, this is the first can buy ’
s, ’¢
s and ’

s gear night diviiiiiiiine’. Allowing your major retrospective of the Indian- neighbours to stand on your doorstep born Canadian artist’s work. to support youth homelessness and sing into your face is definitely The Photographers’ Gallery. Until Feb 21 charity Centrepoint. If there’s one not advisable, but St Martin-in-the- 2021. £5. thing we’ve all learned from our Fields church in Trafalgar Square year indoors, it’s the importance of will be putting on some very trad, socially distanced concerts aimed at owning some popping loungewear. families. Thanks to Covid, there will Walker’s Court. Dec 9-24. Free. be no printed lyric sheets, so you best Cash for a memorise ‘The ’ Days of Christmas’ before you leave the house. good cause St Martin-in-the-Fields. Dec 12. £20.

E Apocalaughs Now Join a host of telly’s finest panel- Royal Albert Hall show-appearing comic talents, including ‘Mock the Week’ stars Ivo Graham and Eshaan Akbar, for a (Covid-safe and replete with hand- san) night of comedy to support the beloved Genesis Cinema. If ’
’
really is the apocalypse, wouldn’t you rather die of laughter? Genesis Cinema. Dec 12. £10. U C T A A L Carol concerts M ! U S I C C Carols at the Royal Albert Hall Things have had to be scaled back considerably, but the RAH Carol Concert is all systems go – with a masked-up audience. If you can’t afford the —˜™š˜
ticket, you can stream it for a fraction of the price. Royal Albert Hall. Dec 18-23. From £57.50 or

EAVEY GARMS: STEFY POCKET; ROYAL ALBERT HALL: ANDY PARADISE ANDY HALL: ALBERT ROYAL POCKET; STEFY GARMS: EAVEY £16 to stream. www.royalalberthall.com

31 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Things to Do

Big outdoor Virtual gig BEHIND THE MOBOS

beer halls Gorillaz present ‘Song Machine’ Live E Truman’s Social Club It’s been almost €‚ years since Kanya King E has no shortage of craft Damon Albarn’s animated band breweries in car parks, but Truman’s unleashed their first proper single Social Club has joined the ranks at ‘Clint Eastwood’ on the world. Back just the right time. Located inside the then, it felt like a total anomaly, a old Truman’s brewery at Blackhorse bizarre innovation that had sprung Lane, the new beer hall is absolutely from the turn of a new millennium. enormous – like a deluxe Ikea. On At the time, Albarn said, ‘Within our visit, the place was extremely a year, I bet the charts will be full well set up for social distancing. of animated bands.’ That cartoon Everything is ordered via an app and prophecy didn’t quite come true, but brought straight to your table. There while live gigs remain on pause, the are €‚ beers to choose from, as well concept of a ‘virtual band’ couldn’t as deliciously sloppy junk food from be more fitting. Gorillaz are perfectly Last Night a Vegan Saved My Life. If suited to the streaming life, which that’s not your bag, there’s also a is why they’ll be putting on a digital menu of Japanese-inspired concert to launch their new dishes from Zero Sushi L C O album ‘Song Machine: – we can confirm that A Season One – Strange the Roller IPA and Timez’. Band members prawn teriyaki make Noodle, Murdoc, a very happy match. Russel and €D will The best part? It has a F all be in attendance, heated outdoor beer O across three time zones, tent, giving you the R C and they haven’t aged green light for out-of- E S a bit. bubble socialising. Dec 12-13. £15. gorillazlivenow.com 1 Priestley Way. Book in advance.

N Camden Winter Beer Hall Camden’s Electric Ballroom is being transformed into a snowy Bavarian Arty stalls beer hall for this all-new winter pop- MOBO Awards up which aims to celebrate the UK’s DIY Christmas Art Market Back in 1996, Londoner Kanya King took it upon herself vibrant craft breweries during this Okay, it’s not exactly a classic to create an awards ceremony that would effectively difficult time for the industry. Five of Christmas market, (there are no little recognise the talent of Black British musicians, the best UK indies will be serving up wooden chalets), but this online fair remortgaging her house to make the now legendary milk stouts, pale ales and sour beers, is a very good place to buy presents MOBOs a reality. It’s been on hiatus since 2017, but will alongside the obligatory winter that make you look like you’ve be making a comeback this week with a streamed show. offerings of hot cider and mulled made some semblance of an effort. We caught up with Kanya to find out more. wine. We did say it was a Bavarian Handmade zines, art prints and beer hall, so lederhosen are very brilliantly impractical ceramics will What can people expect from the online MOBOs? likely, and brass renditions of pop all be there for the taking on the DIY ‘We’ve got some phenomenal technology that we’re songs are guaranteed. You have been Art Market Instagram stories. It’s a working with. In a way we’re creating a number of different warned. very easy way to support a bunch of worlds for different parts of the show, a kind of cinematic 184 Camden High St. Every Fri and Sat until Dec London artists in one go. world that’s set up in real life. It’s not like the green-screen 19, then every Sat until Jan 30 2021. From £15. Dec 12. www.instagram.com/diyartmarket content you’ve been seeing.’ What was that first year like, in 1996? ‘I didn’t come from the music industry... I had no money, no contacts. What I had was an overwhelming passion and desire to succeed. I was persistent. When I was told Black music doesn’t sell, [that] brands would not want to be aligned to this culture, it’s too risky, no one is going to support it, and all that kind of negative noise, I managed to just shut it out.’

You wrote an open letter to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden after Black Out Tuesday: have you seen any meaningful change since? ‘Never in my lifetime have I seen organisations and corporate companies from around the world be prepared to have that difficult conversation. When I started out, talking about racism, I was ostracised. It was looked down EXPERIENCE IT ON ONE OF THE upon. But we’re in a different world, obviously, with the UK’S BIGGEST IMAX® SCREENS internet and social media. For us it’s making sure that this BOOK NOW is not just talked about when it’s in the media spotlight.’

Dec 9, 7pm. www.youtube.com/mobotv and on BBC One. REDMAN NICK KING: KANYA

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 32 Things to Do

N Designer Makers Winter more than ‡ boutique stalls, with moment is almost here. It’s events Craft Fair less queuing. There’ll also be a Christmas like these that help keep the wolf A market that involves the term virtual shop featuring the market’s (and, presumably, Wetherspoons ‘designer makers’ usually means best-selling items, for those who screenings location hunters) from the door of ‘looking at silver jewellery that turns can’t make it in person. As markets this restored 
s ballroom. On S out to be more expensive than you go, it’s pretty broad, you can pick up Cinema in the snow the bill for this year’s grand cinema thought but you feel bad and buy anything from Bloody Mary mix to If you’re expecting little notes of screenings are, well, most of the films anyway’. But come on, it’s been a eco-friendly crackers, but it’s also a cynicism about the predictability we mentioned ten seconds ago. year. Independent business owners great place to buy work direct from of Christmas cinema pop-ups, you Rivoli Ballroom. Dec 10-13. From £10. and designers are having a hell of London artists, like the cheerful won’t find it here. No sir, the snark a time. The exhibitors here will be prints of Dulwich illustrator Jessica well is dry. We miss the movies too flogging ceramics, glassware, textiles Hayman from Rosa & Clara Designs. much to care that we will be watching and, yes, silver jewellery – and they Copeland Gallery. Dec 12-20. Free entry. ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ need your support more than you www.pexmas.com/shop for the billionth time. Pop Up Screens Panto time need the convenience of an Amazon delivery. C ‘Dick It all takes place in the Whittington’ folksy music venue Can the National Cecil Sharp House, so Theatre’s ‘Dick’ save even if you don’t find A major new exhibition Christmas? For only something you like, Opens 9 December the second time in its you can just enjoy the Book online nhm.ac.uk storied history, the big, colourful wall NT stages a Christmas mural by English artist Free for Members and Patrons pantomime, plugging Ivon Hitchens. the gap left by the Cecil Sharp House. Dec 12. absence of most Free entry, book in advance. of London’s major pantos, with an E Spitalfields updated version of the Arts Market Lyric Hammersmith’s Man, we miss ‡ˆ spin on ‘Dick Spitalfields Market. Whittington’. You pass through for National Theatre. Dec the atmosphere, and 11-Jan 23 2021. £20-£89. somehow emerge in Bishops Square C ‘Pantoland at holding a pair of the Palladium’ second-hand leather The London boots and a Climpson Palladium’s annual & Sons coffee you panto is back on, and didn’t know you will starJulian Clary wanted. And, if you and Beverley Knight. visit on the right day, It might just be the it’s a great place to most Covid-secure snag an original piece theatre in the country: of art. Spitalfields Andrew Lloyd- Arts Market takes Webber famously place outdoors, on dropped “k on Market Street, so you upgrades such as

WIZARDING WORLD characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. can safely stall-hop WB SHIELD: © & ™ WBEI. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s20) self-disinfecting door through displays of handles. Christmas is prints and paintings. back on: oh yes it is! Supported by The next market will London Palladium. Dec be hosted by sculptor 12-Jan 3 2021. £25-£174. Steve Yeates, who creates figures from recycled materials, including glass is putting on an ultra festive Cinema from a vandalised London bus in the Snow residency in Copeland shelter. You can expect to see a lot of Park and is going all out with the Digital Dickens big, bold pieces that are unlikely to fit Christmas crowdpleasers: ‘It’s a in an Uber. Wonderful Life’, ‘Elf’, ‘Home Alone’. ‘A Christmas Carol’ Market St. Dec 10-13. Free entry. If it means we can go to the pictures Catch a very special adaptation of again, we’ll even sit through ‘Love ‘A Christmas Carol’ filmed inside S Pexmas Actually’. What is Christmas for, if Dickens’s house in Bloomsbury. It’s Peckham’s festive market is back for not relentless repetition? a suitably spooky setting for this tale a nine-day residency at the Copeland Copeland Park. Until Dec 20. From £19.50. of one man’s struggle to overcome his Gallery. Pick up some very decent own selfishness and think of others gifts from more than  traders S Rivoli Ballroom pop-up for a change, something that seems exhibiting across the two weekends. cinema a lot more relatable this year. It’s the If you’re feeling a little exclusive, book It’s not officially Christmas until the closest you’ll get to spending the a slot for the Pexmas Emporium, a DIY Christmas Art Market Rivoli starts blaring ‘The Muppet night in Dickens’s bedroom. ‘shopping experience’ where you Christmas Carol’ into its barrel- Dec 17, 20 and 31, followed by a Zoom Q&A.

DIY MARKET: JÉRÔME FAVRE JÉRÔME MARKET: DIY get a more relaxed browse through vaulted auditorium, and now the £15. www.dickensmuseum.com

33 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Food & Dr ink

timeout.com/eatdrink @timeouteatdrink Christmas dinners that top your mum’s Spread Eagle

Got turkey cravings? Indulge in the best festive feasts at London restaurants this year, from decadent sandwiches to full-on banquets

= Outdoor Seating

The Bombay bad boy The one on a lovely Here’s a festive treat we never festive terrace knew we needed: mince-pie kulfi. Lush greenery, an elegant piazza… You’ll find the fruity, creamy frozen stepping into the Petersham dessert on Dishoom’s Christmas feels like coding yourself into the feasting menu. The line-up is Instagram app. And boy, oh boy, thaals (large communal plates) have we missed it while it’s been featuring some of its best-loved shut for the past nine months. dishes, small plates, grills, biryanis, But the Richmond favourite is plus a slow-cooked turkey raan. back, reopening its doors as a That’s a -hour barbecued turkey winter wonderland just in time leg served with a spicy cranberry for the festive season. Wrap up chutney. The menu is available right super warm in a blanket with a hot up until Christmas Eve for groups of aperitivo while you sit under a sea of four to six people and costs €‚ƒ per twinkling lights and decorations on person. If you’re looking for outdoor the patio. Then tuck into La Goccia’s seating, head to the Shoreditch, Italian Christmas set menu. It’s a Carnaby and King’s Cross branches. €—‹ per person sharing affair: rich For a good deal? Check out its newly pumpkin ravioli, osso buco di vitello revamped Covent Garden joint with bone marrow risotto and a where there’s ‹Œ percent off food classic fluffy Italian panettone until the end of January. Really, with marsala zabaione. Just a light really good stuff. meal then. Decimo Various locations 31 King St, WC2E 8JD.

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 34 Food & Drink

The vegan nirvana visitors won’t get to indulge in the, Non-meat-eaters needn’t miss out quite frankly, iconic potato one. on Christmas bingeing. No, no: The good news? The menu the plush in fact, if you head to  percent restaurant is serving more than vegan pub The Spread Eagle you can makes up for it. A baked lobster- expect a menu so vast it’ll leave you thermidor tart and rabbit-and- unable to walk home. Head chef bacon en croûte on starters, while Gina Hopkins’s creations focus on roast Suffolk turkey served with inventive, bold, surprising flavours. red braised cabbage and cranberry There’s potted ‘faux sauce makes for a fitting gras’ with toast and centrepiece. Costing pickles. There’s beet ­Š per person for wellington, with three courses and all the traditional ending with a seasonal mighty selection trimmings and of desserts, this an unbelievably is proper rich- rich gravy, which is person-well-on- sure to confuse the their-way-to-get- meatheads. It’s all a gout food. very reasonable ­€ 252 High Holborn, Holborn Dining Rooms for three courses (and a WC1V 7EN. glass of bubbly) and there’s outdoor seating with heaters on The traditional the terrace and in the garden. family-style dinner 224 Homerton High St, E9 6AS. As many of us debate whether to stay put or head home for Christmas The properly luxury option this year, one thing that is for The bad news? Chef Calum certain is that The Camberwell Arms’ Franklin’s legendary pies won’t be famously plentiful winter menu is gracing the festive menu at Holborn back on. Expect classic Christmas Dining Room this year, so Christmas stuff. Crispy brussels sprouts,

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35 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Advertisement feature

So where do es a top chef eat? GET TO Twisper ambassador Tom Aikenss KNOW MUSE gives us the skinny on his favouriterite London restaurants MASTERS

ou know what’s nice? Getting Alongside a community of in Notting Hill is relaxed, allowing Yrestaurant recommendations reviewers championing their you to really enjoy a seriously Want a front row seat from someone you trust. And favourite venues is a selection of creative menu using the finest to watch some of the that’s why we’ve asked Tom Aikens – brands, ambassadors, publishers British ingredients. world’s best chefs in action? a man who really knows his culinary and influencers doing the same. Another favourite is Ben Marks’s Well, Muse Masters is for onions – to tell us about the London And to give you a flavour of the Perilla in Newington Green. He’s you. Aikens’s terrific initiative spots he hits when hungry. You’re in kind of things to expect from these put together a brilliant menu, the also raises money for Only some pretty safe hands here. But expert curators? Here are Tom’s atmosphere is second-to-none A Pavement Away – a charity there’s another reason why we’ve top picks. We think you’ll like them. and the service? Spot on every that helps the homeless, got him involved, too. (And yes, he has picked his own time. Whenever I’m up for tapas I ex-offenders and vulnerable You see, giving people a platform restaurant but, well, you know, head to Sabor on Heddon Street. veterans to forge careers to shout about the restaurants, why„not?) Brilliant fresh fish and regional in the hospitality industry. bars and hotels they love is key ‘Am I allowed my own restaurant? dishes from across Spain, with But the best bit? Twisper will to what a new app, Twisper, is all My team in Belgravia have worked fab dining options at the bar or match all money raised. We about. Which is great and all, but incredibly hard to help me launch the main restaurant. can totally get behind that. here’s the really interesting thing: Muse earlier this year, which paid Another favourite is Ikoyi, near Twisper is dedicated to positive-only off: we were awarded 4 AA Rosettes Piccadilly Circus. It has a hugely Find out more at www. reviews. That means instead of in October. It’s always nice to be innovative menu using a vast musebytomaikens.co.uk. poring through negative nonsense acknowledged for your hard work collection of spices with dishes from disgruntled keyboard warriors and creativity by the industry. inspired by sub-Saharan West moaning about portion sizes, you’ll It’s amazing what we have achieved Africa. I also love a good chicken be able to focus on the good stuff. in such a small amount of time. burger and the quality of food at And let’s be honest, those are just Outside of Muse, we kick Chick ’n’ Sours is exceptional. the kind of upbeat vibes we need off with„a two Michelin-starred Casual, fun dining with fresh, super- right now. restaurant but Core by Clare Smyth tasty dishes. That’s your lot!’

Discover more of Tom Aikens’s favourite places by downloading the Twisper app today Food & Drink

Find more outdoor options at timeout.com/outdooreating

Dishoom

topped with pickled red onions, The extremely thyme and fried breadcrumbs? Hi! meaty option Glistening glazed smoked ham? Vegans be gone from here. Hello… Rich chocolate cheesecake Smokestak is firing up its grill with spiced poached clementine? for a toasty festive season. The Yes, please. It can all be yours from wood-smoking specialist has just . And you can even order it all to launched a fully enclosed heated be delivered to your home on the winter terrace with a clear roof to Big Night app too, if you want allow in as much natural sunlight the festive fun without the (or what’s left of it) as possible while in-communal-space risks. keeping you dry and sort-of warm. 65 Camberwell Church St, SE5 8TR. Anyway, we’re sure you’ll forget about any December chill when The actual Christmas Day the food arrives at this Shoreditch extravaganza spot. The plan here is incredible If you’re skipping seeing the Christmas sandwiches, announced parents this year and the idea of one at a time, like streetwear drops Gold Mine spending hours cooking a roast on but tastier and far less cringe. First Christmas Day seems incredibly up? A smoked gammon, gherkin tedious, don’t panic. We have and sauerkraut special for –. one hell of a recommendation for 35 Sclater St, E1 6LB. while you indulge in a few socially while you’re at it.) Our pick for the you. End the year on a high with distanced natural reds, either best birds in town? Gold Mine, a a proper blowout meal complete The wine-and-sarnie at home with your household no-frills Chinese restaurant that’s with sweeping, panoramic views smash or basking in the warm glow of known for its signature roast meats, of the city (and outdoor seating if The geniuses at neighbourhood Peckham Cellars’ shiny outdoor which can be seen hanging in the you so desire). The venue? Decimo restaurant and wine bar Peckham heaters with a BYO blanket. window. They’re available for dine at LA-cool hotel The Standard. Cellars have created a Christmas 125 Queen’s Rd, SE15 2ND. in or takeaway. Our suggestion? You can enjoy the likes of *deep miracle: a festive sandwich that’s Take a bird home (it’s œžŸ“™ for breath* wood fire bread with olive almost overwhelming in its scale And one last idea… a whole roast duck ) and replicate oil, Spanish pigs in blankets, jamon and richness. Take a deep-fried Not a fan of the classic Christmas Asian banquet vibes in the comfort croquetas, fried potatoes, muscovy turkey schnitzel, bacon jam, roast? Consider going for a of your own home. Serve it with roast duck with mole, and chocolate stuffing, brie, and cranberry sauce Cantonese roast goose or duck potatoes, brussels sprouts, pigs in mousse to wash it all down for ’“ and wedge between two ginormous this festive season. (It’s also a great blankets and gravy. Purists can get per person. It includes a welcome slices of bread. Then serve with a way to support a small BIPOC stuffed: it’s Christmas œ™œ™, there cocktail and zero washing up. side dish of jus to dip it all in. It’s independent restaurant that has are no rules any more. ■ Angela Hui

DISHOOM: CHARLIE MCKAY CHARLIE DISHOOM: 10 Argyle St, WC1H 8EG. ˜™ and perfect for eating slowly been ravaged by the pandemic 102 Queensway, W2 3RR.

37 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Xxxxxxx Love Local

Edited by Kate Lloyd timeout.com/lovelocal AREA GUIDE The fight to save Chinatown’s support hub

This London Chinese Community Centre is crowdfunding to secure its future

IT’S 40 YEARS since the London senior citizens, offering Zoom lessons and Chinese Community Centre (CCC) helping those who’ve lost jobs or homes. arrived in Leicester Court. Open six days ‘But who knows what will happen to us if a week, it offers Cantonese and Mandarin the virus hasn’t been controlled,’ says Lin. language classes, calligraphy and dim ‘There’s no way we can carry on doing any sum workshops, and provides a space activity fundraising when we’re limited for members to get advice, share meals [by government guidelines] and we’re and keep Chinese culture alive. It’s been stretched thin.’ a vital hub for the Chinese community Luckily, across the city, people are Chinese Community Centre for decades, especially the city’s elderly. coming together to fight to save the centre. Fifty-two percent of members are over ­€. A crowdfunder has been launched to help All of this is now at risk. pay for staff wages and resources. Plus, ‘We have some funding from the Instagrammer Celestial Peach – whose government and council, but it’s not account chronicles Chinese cuisine and enough,’ says Beverly Lin, centre manager the people behind it – has designed a at the CCC. ‘We’re reliant on fundraising ‘congee lovers unite’ T-shirt in different and the generosity of businesses in colours and sold them to raise funds. Leicester Square Chinatown. Big fundraising activities If the centre survives, its plan for the and charity events such as Lunar New future is to try and become inclusive for all Year, Easter, Dragon Boat Festival and ages and nationalities. Lin is keen to make Moon Festivals have all been cancelled or more of its services available online and postponed. Nothing is coming in.’ doesn’t want its impact to be limited to the James Woroniecki Currently, there are seven full-time Chinatown region or only Chinese people. is founder and director staff and many volunteers at the centre. ‘Our doors are open to everyone,’ she says. of comedy venue The Throughout Š‹Š‹ they have done vital So let’s help her achieve that. ■ Angela Hui Club work: collecting essentials for isolating www.justgiving.com/campaign/cccorguk202 www.99clubcomedy.com

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 38 Xxxxxxx

The Spice of Life ‘Upstairs has a really lovely crowd and downstairs is a cool music venue with plenty of independent bands and jazz. It’s a great shout if you want to go somewhere a bit different for a drink in the West End.’ 6 Moor St. The Arts Tottenham Court Road Theatre Club ‘They do excellent cocktails and serve them in dinky teapots. I’d recommend the Raspberry Ricket SOHO Teapot, a fun mix of raspberries, SQUARE Chambord and lime. The whole GARDENS place is candlelit and the DJ booth is an antique piano.’ 50 Frith St. J Sheekey ‘I always order the mussels from this quirky seafood restaurant. It’s tucked down a little side street and the entire place looks like you’re Wong Kei stepping back into Victorian ‘I’ve had so many wonderful England – it’s been used post-show meals with comedians. loads for filming.’ Covent Garden Normally, they finish performing 28-32 St Martin’s late, at around 11pm: they’re full of Court. adrenaline, and having some chow mein, wonton soup and stir-fried vegetables is a great [way] to wind down afterwards.’ 41-43 Wardour St. Leicester Square

The Tea House The Prince ‘I’m a big tea drinker and Charles Cinema love their wide selection of ‘Even though it’s in this area loose-leaf teas. Normally, Piccadilly Circusof big film premieres, this place I’d go for their assam or shows an incredibly eclectic mix ceylon blends.’ [of movies]. From indie films to old 15 Neal St. classics and special events like “Mean Girls” quote-alongs and The “Harry Potter” all-nighters.’ Hippodrome 7 Leicester Place. Casino ‘Once we’re done with the curfew, if you ever find yourself in Leicester Square at 1am and fancyCharing a lobster Cross dinner, The Hippodrome Casino is the place to go. You canTRAFALGAR eat your meal watching everyone on the casinoSQUARE floor. There’s often live entertainment like burlesque. For now, do the same but at 7pm.’ Cranbourn St.

Time Out’s Love Local campaign supports local food, drink and culture businesses in London. Find out how you can help the places that make our city great.

CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTRE: ANDY PARSONS; J SHEEKEY: JEAN CAZALS; PRINCE PRINCE CAZALS; JEAN SHEEKEY: J PARSONS; ANDY CENTRE: COMMUNITY CHINESE LEWIS/SHUTTERSTOCK TRAVERS CINEMA: CHARLES timeout.com/lovelocallondon

39 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Escapes

Edited by Ellie Walker-Arnott timeout.com/daytrips

Enchanting light trails

End this year the right way: bathed in an OTT halo of festive lights with a steaming mulled wine in hand

WHETHER YOU’RE JUMPING Waddesdon ManorBucks Blenheim Palace headfirst into the festivities with a Waddesdon Manor and its Christmas bubble or keeping your surrounding parkland will be all distance from loved ones for a more aglow for the next month. Winter low-key holiday season, there is Light brings colourful installations, plenty of light to be found at this illuminated trees and a trail of time of year. And yes, we mean lanterns decorated by local kids on that literally. As well as the spangly the theme of hope. Don’t forget a displays illuminating streets all mask if you think you’ll be drawn to over the capital, forests, gardens the festive market (until December No one and stately homes around the ‡ˆ) to bulk-buy candles and cheese. needs to country are aglow with dangling Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire. lightbulbs and the twinkling of a Until Jan 3 2021. From £16, from £8 child hear ‘In thousand fairy lights. Book a ticket www.waddesdon.org.uk in advance and then get your face the Bleak right up in those LEDs. You’ll feel Blenheim Palace Oxon that mega-watt joy in no time. Not even ‡‹‡‹ can dampen the Midwinter’ sparkle of these festive lights. Wakehurst W Sussex Blenheim Palace’s Illuminated Light this year Done Christmas at Kew? The Trail will see the grounds glittering gardens’ rural sister site is putting with bulbs, and a route leading you on a similarly impressive display through technicolour tunnels of this winter. In its seventh year, light, past an illuminated lake, to a Wakehurst’s Glow Wild lantern trail softly glowing ‘fairy fire’. Just the will celebrate the ‘hidden heroes’ of kind of magical vibes we need to lift the plant and fungus world. Spores the darkest part of the year. have never felt so festive. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. Until Jan 3 2021. Wakehurst, West Sussex. Until Jan 3 2021. From £19, from £13 child. £15, £9 child. www.kew.org www.blenheimpalace.com

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 40 More jolly jaunts at timeout.com/UK

‘West Pole’ (one of the jolly guy’s back-up toy-making workshops fyi). Expect elves, talking trees and the famous plant collection to look like a candy-cane forest for the season. Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire. Until Dec 21. £16, £8 child. www.forestryengland.uk Stourhead Wiltshire This dreamy National Trust garden, dotted with follies and grottos, is cranking up the festive tunes this winter. After dark, wander past giant baubles, glowing flowers and trees wrapped in lights, for Christmas at Stourhead. All with a warming mulled wine to sip as you stroll. Stourhead, Wiltshire. Until Jan 3 2021. From £19, from £13 child. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Leonardslee W Sussex See out a surreal year with a walk through the otherworldly Leonardslee Illuminated, where a huge moon hangs above the lake. After your lunar fix, find lanterns and festive lights in the woods. Waddesdon Manor Leonardslee Gardens, West Sussex. Until Dec 28. £16, £8 child. www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk

RHS Wisley Surrey elegant,elegan leafless trees Thursford Norfolk Wisley is goingg big,withbig, with its will beb lit up in rainbow Everything is illuminated for longest ever lightsghts trail, shades.shad The route will the Enchanted Journey of Light at Glow. The technicolourhnicolour leadlead you through the Thursford: luminous polar bears on display winds a new route winterwin garden, past glowing glaciers, flamingoes, zebras through the gardens,ardens, woodswo and sculptures and deer with the kind of antlers accompanied by an upliftupliftinging in ssimple seasonal Rudolph would be envious of, all lit soundtrack. Becauseecause no one finery.fine up in a Christmassy sheen. needs to hear ‘InIn the Bleak HydeHyd Hall, Essex. Until Jan 3 Thursford, Norfolk. Until Jan 10 2021. £18. Midwinter’ thisis year, 2021. £12£12,, £6£ child. Check website for www.thursford.com okay? resales. www.rhs.org.ukwww Wisley, Surrey. Untilntil Longleat Wiltshire Jan 4 2021. £15, WestonbirtWes A supersized trail made up of Š‹ £10 child. Check ArboretumArbo Gloucs zones, Longleat’s Land of Light will website SantaSanta himself might transport you to a lake in springtime for resales. be in attendance at and an icy labyrinth. Add a safari www.rhs.org.uk Westonbirt’sWesto festive drive-through to find out how the display.display The woodland’s monkeys are spending the season. ■ Hyde Hall Essexssex illilluminatedumi Enchanted Ellie Walker-Arnott Hyde Hall’s naturalatural beaubeautyty takes ChristmasChrist trail will lead Longleat, Wiltshire. Until Jan 10 2021. £27.95, Thursford

WADDESDON MANOR: HUGH MOTHERSOLE/NATIONAL TRUST; THURSFORD: GEORGE CUSHING GEORGE THURSFORD: TRUST; MOTHERSOLE/NATIONAL HUGH MANOR: WADDESDON centre stage at Glow. The estate’s you all the way to the £20.95 child. www.longleat.co.uk

41 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Time In T ime In

Edited by Phil de Semlyen timeout.com/timein Ten Christmas movies for any frame of mind

Happy? Exhausted? Really exhausted? Phil de Semlyen picks a classic to stream for every occasion

WHAT IS A Christmas movie? They If you need a laugh go prezzie-shopping in Hamley’s ‘The Muppet 2Christmas Carol’ in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ but no one’s gathering the family round for Michael Caine as Scrooge, Gonzo a festive viewing of Kubrick’s as Charles Dickens, Kermit as ‘Carol’ psychosexual wig-out. What we Bob Cratchit – just three reasons can say is that a Christmas to love this warm-hearted movie should feel like take on the immortal an old friend, ready to yarn. It is (believe it When you need to break across department stores and meet any emotional or not) one of the it to the kids that they’re Rooney Mara in a Santa hat. It’s 4not getting a pet need. Joy, sorrow, more faithful already a Christmas classic in nostalgia, chronic versions of the ‘Gremlins’ forward-thinking homes. indigestion... book. We’re pretty Few Christmas presents come with here’s one for sure Dickens instructions as ominous as: ‘Never When you need a every mood. was envisaging expose to bright light, never add burst of pure evil 6‘Black Christmas’ singing frogs water and, crucially, never feed after When you when he wrote it. midnight.’ ‘Gremlins’ is the perfect This slasher movie gives horror fans feel like way to break it to the children that the perfect excuse to take things a 1a singalong ‘Meet Me If your in St Louis’ no, they can’t have that cute furry notch gorier when everyone else has ‘Meet Me in St Louis’ spirits critter they spotted in Chinatown. hit the sack. After all, nothing says 3need lifting Bring out your inner Bublé – Christmas like a deranged maniac we’ve all got one – with this musical ‘The Shop Around the Corner’ When you’re in the stalking a snowy college campus. in which Judy Garland’s family faces This festive masterpiece about a mood for love 5‘Carol’ When the cheese being uprooted when dad gets a new coterie of underpaid, underloved job, but still sneak in a snowball fight department store clerks (including Todd Haynes’s romance turns a supplies are running low 7‘Love Actually’ and about Š‹ songs first. It’s a sugar Jimmy Stewart) combines Ernst Patricia Highsmith novel about high filled with bangers like ‘Skip to Lubitsch’s effortless style, zingers secret lesbian love into a universal Richard Curtis’s bubbly

My Lou’ and ‘The Trolley Song’. and an irresistible romantic subplot. romance featuring chaste glances celebration of love is not for the WEBB; WILSON CAROL:

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 42 Time In

The best films to stream at timeout.com/film

American Utopia

WE CAN’T GO WHAT IS IT… to gigs right now, so former Talking A concert film Heads frontman David Byrne brings the band to of David Byrne’s us – with a little help from Spike Lee. Thedirector dazzling 2019 filmed Byrne’s 2019 Broadway show ‘American Broadway show. Utopia’ and the result – part popextravaganza, part poetry slam – is a wonder to behold. ‘Gremlins’ WHY GO… Byrne appears in his signature slick grey suit, Byrne performs. barefoot, capped with that flourish of manicured Spike Lee films white hair, and weaves his many spectacular it. What more do hits, including the thrillingly anthemic ‘Once in a you need? Lifetime’, with musings on life, love, what divides us and what ultimately brings us back together. To assist, he’s assembled a spectacular array Director Spike Lee (12) lactose-intolerant. That said, of musicians from all over the world, all dressed 105 minutes. Streaming Hugh Grant’s dad-dancing to The the same as him. Lee nimbly shoots the stripped- from Dec 14. Pointer Sisters, Bill Nighy’s snake back but visually theatrical performance that has hips, and Emma Thompson and a shifting set created by nifty lighting design. Alan Rickman’s big emotions are The ensemble’s slick moves, choreographed guaranteed to give you all the feels. by Annie-B Parson of Brooklyn’s Big Dance Theater, complement Byrne’s playful lyrics. For classy childhood Byrne holds us in the palm of his hand: I got nostalgia goosebumps when all the performers take a knee 8‘Fanny and Alexander’ in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, the faces of Most of us escaped the horrors slain African-Americans projected behind them. of bonnets and sailor suits at When all’s said and done, Byrne hops on his Christmas, so spare a thought for bike and rides off into the twinkling New York the dolled-up siblings in Ingmar night. A magnetic show. The only drawback is that Bergman’s magical seasonal treat. it’s such a good gig you really do wish you were One of the few Christmas movies to there. ■ Stephen A Russell win an Oscar, though we’d also make the case for ‘Trading Places’. When you’ve already The Mole Agent seen ‘Die Hard’ 9‘Lethal Weapon’ CHILEAN FILMMAKER MAITE Shane Black, the king of the fast- WHAT IS IT… Alberdi’s ‘The quipping buddy movie, is famous A doc following an Mole Agent’ doesn’t go in for the lazy stitching of for getting Christmas into all his octogenarian who talking heads against a grey backdrop that many films. But it all started with two checks into a care docs resort to. Instead, feeling a strange affinity bickering cops taking down drug home. Undercover. with truth-searching private detective Rómulo dealers aatt a Christmas tree lot, very Aitken, Alberdi hangs out in his office while he much the dark side of the whole WHY GO… recruits an assistant for a surprisingly common ‘white ChChristmas’ thing. It’s the most unusual case: a client who wants to know if her mum is being mistreated in her nursing home. For a road trip – and kindest – film noir you’ll ever see. Up pops Sergio Chamy, a clueless without leaving octogenarian armed only with a smartphone and 10 your sofa a willingness to help out. This lonely widower has ‘Planes,‘Pl Trains and Director Maite Alberdi answered an ad looking for an elderly spy to go AAutomobiles ’ 90 mins. In cinemas Fri undercover in the care home to get the lowdown. Dec 11. It’s not been a great year At first, it feels overtly staged – almost like a for travel, unless you spy spoof. But the artifice fades and what comes count the †† trips to into sharp focus is an insight into the lives of lost the local supermarket souls drifting towards the great beyond. Chamy’s and that one ill-fated arrival causes a stir, not least because he’s a country walk. Make handsome chap who does what so many of the up for it by watching mostly female residents’ families fail to do: sit Steve Martin and the with them and listen to their hopes and fears. ridiculously lovable Chile’s Oscars hopeful, this deeply humane John Candy battle film is concerned with the invisibility of age, and their way home for how easily society forgets those who brought the holidays in a comedy us into the world. It’s so much more than a thathat starts out funny whodunnit, and all but the hardest hearts will fall ‘Love Actually’ anand gradually becomes in love with its spirited group of characters who bribrilliantly moving. ■ have so much left to give. ■ Stephen A Russell

43 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Time In

MY STREAMING SALVATION Grey’s Anatomy

Alim Kheraj on his small-screen happy place

AFTER WATCHING the friendship between Meredith all  seasons of and the sardonic, ambitious Dr ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, I’m Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) that forms now convinced I could the show’s bedrock, although all the diagnose a patient characters share a bond forged in with an aneurism or perform open- tragedy and trauma. heart surgery. A medical degree? And there is a lot of both. ‘Grey’s Pah. Who needs one when you’ve Anatomy’ hits its characters with watched more than  hours of divorce, adultery, mass shootings, a hit medical drama? Some binge plane crashes, Alzheimer’s, a bomb watching should probably come in a body cavity, a ferry crash, with a warning. cancer, car accidents, fires, mental It always surprised me that this illness, death, a tryst with a ghost show didn’t receive the attention in (kinda) and an unfortunate musical the UK that ‘ER’ did. Set in a Seattle episode during season seven (why hospital, it follows Meredith Grey did they all sing?). Pair this with the and her fellow MDs as they navigate heartbreaking medical cases the the world of surgery and their doctors deal with and you’re left in incredibly messy love lives. Think bits at the end of each episode. ‘Casualty’ on a Hollywood budget. Somehow, all that emotion makes The early seasons focus on the will- for compulsive but comforting they-won’t-they romance between viewing. And with a seventeenth Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and season starting in the UK soon, Dr Derek ‘McDreamy’ Shepherd I can’t think of a better time to (Patrick Dempsey), a neurosurgeon stream the old episodes. In fact, genius who also happens to be I started my rewatch last night. ■ Meredith’s superior. But for me, it’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is streaming on Amazon Prime. Killer true-crime podcasts Time Out writers pick four murderous tales

The Shrink Next Door West Cork 1Not all crimes involve a severed head in 3 In 1996, French TV producer Sophie a forest: some are subtler, more insidious. Toscan du Plantier was found murdered ‘The Shrink Next Door’, one of the most shocking outside her holiday home near the Irish town – and funniest – stories of manipulation you’ll of Schull. Documentary-maker Jennifer Ford ever hear, is the second kind. It’s about a New and investigative journalist Sam Bungey take a York psychiatrist who takes his relationship with humane look at the impact this crime had on a one patient way, way too far. It’s full of swanky community, how it changed the area – a weather- country pads and amazing New York Jewish beaten idyll – and how an incredible narrative accents, and it will leave you saying ‘oy vey’ developed around it. Ellie Walker-Arnott like you really mean it. Eddy Frankel www.audible.co.uk wondery.com/shows/shrink-next-door Drunk Women Solving Crime In the Dark 4Miss Marple. Jessica Fletcher. Jane 2This podcast puts the US justice system Tennison. Some of the sharpest sleuths in in the dock. The first season asks why it the pop cultural canon have been women. Also, took authorities 27 years to solve the abduction as this anarchic podcast proves, some of the of 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling. Season two funniest ones. Its half-cut hosts, Hannah, Catie examines why a Black man, Curtis Flowers, was and Taylor, rummage around the finer details of tried six times for the same crime. ‘In the Dark’s some criminal case like they’ve just stormed in hallmarks are rigorous investigative journalism from the pub. Which they probably have. It’s the and epic suspense. Not only is it addictive, it’ll perfect antidote to all those po-faced podcasts fire you up. Alexandra Sims out there. ■ Phil de Semlyen features.apmreports.org/in-the-dark drunkwomensolvingcrime.com ARCHIVE/ALAMY AF ANATOMY: GREY’S

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 44 Time In

Why watch theatre at home?

The NT’s streaming service joins a growing number of home players

The National Theatre’s YouTube channel helped keep us sane during Lockdown 1 by streaming a play a week from its deep vaults, sharing shows originally filmed for its cinema strand NT Live. It wasn’t sustainable, ‘Three Sisters’ though, as it made no money bar voluntary donations. However, its success has spawned a new paid-for What to stream on streaming platform. National Theatre at Home joins a small but growing club NT at Home that also includes Digital Theatre and Globe Player. Culture editor Andrzej Łukowski picks Generally, these are shows filmed to be screened – think four plays to rent on the brand new thespflix close-ups, panning shots, etc – that offer a chance to see big names in never-to-be- repeated performances. What sends NT at Home Phèdre Mosquitoes straight to the front of the National Theatre at Home draws heavily on shows Another archive gem: Lucy Kirkwood’s terrific pack is that it has far more previously filmed for cinema broadcast, which CERN-set tragicomedy ‘Mosquitoes’ was never of them than anyone else: in have gone out under the banner NT Live, and filmed for cinema broadcast, which is cinema’s the last decade NT Live has often been rereleased multiple times. Many of loss. It follows two fractious sisters – one a high- cornered the UK market for the initial releases will be pretty familiar flying scientist played by Olivia Williams, filmed plays – at the National to the theatre-loving cinemagoer – the other a boozy fuck-up played by Theatre and beyond. And the Tom Hiddleston’s ‘Coriolanus’, for Olivia Colman – as they have an player also includes high- instance. But less familiar and emotionally fraught reckoning at quality archive recordings of well worth taking in is the first the Large Hadron Collider. Plus plays that were never given show the NT ever filmed for the their mum shows up. This is a the event-cinema treatment. cinema: a bombastic ­­€ take really welcome chance to catch These shows rent at a slightly on Racine’s ‘Phedre’, starring Rufus Norris’s production in all lower rate, but they further the mighty Helen Mirren. its glorious cosmic cacophony. broaden the NT at Home repertoire, which should I Want My Hat Back Three Sisters be radically different from In some ways the most exciting Inua Ellams’s breakout smash month to month. ‘Mosquitoes’ things on NT at Home are the ‘Barber Shop Chronicles’ was a global You’ve surely finished smattering of more obscure shows that hit as part of the NT’s summer streaming Netflix and Disney+ – now were filmed for the archives, not cinema. The programme, and ‘An Evening with an Immigrant’ it’s time for the good stuff. ■ camerawork is less fancy, but of good quality, was an IRL success at the Bridge this autumn Andrzej Łukowski and your only chance to see some of this stuff during the inter-lockdown theatre season. Now www.ntathome.com ever again. A real gem is Joel Horwood’s batshit, here’s a chance to see his biggest show to date, hygge-inflected musical version of Jon Klassen’s a bold reimagining of the Chekhov classic that kids’ book ‘I Want My Hat Back’, about a bear’s relocates the story to Nigeria on the eve of the ■ THREE SISTERS: RICHARD DAVENPORT/THE OTHER RICHARD; MOSQUITOES: BRINKHOFF/MOEGENBURG MOSQUITOES: RICHARD; OTHER DAVENPORT/THE RICHARD SISTERS: THREE violent quest to track down his errant headwear. Biafran Civil War.

45 December 8 – 14 2020 Time Out London Time In

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO Deep-cut London novels Film editor Phil de Semlyen picks a shelf’s worth of under-read stories set in the Big Smoke

LONDON HAS BEEN clerk who kills a relative and buries immortalised in him in the garden. As you do. Or as the prose of Charles John Christie probably would. The Dickens, Virginia Rillington Place serial killer pops Woolf and Zadie up in Dominick Donald’s crime Smith. But we’re not going to yarn ‘Breathe’, which will have you insult you – or your bookshelf – by groping through the Great Smog of suggesting ‘Oliver Twist’ or ‘White Ž‘’“ in search of a murderer. Teeth’. Instead, head for Muriel If you’ve got time on your hands Spark’s ‘The Ballad of Peckham this Christmas, EF Benson’s beefy Rye’ or ‘The Lonely Londoners’ by ‘Dodo’ omnibus offers plenty of Samuel Selvon. The former is a fin de siècle glitz. It anticipates the dark comedy that flaunts Spark’s Bright Young Things of “’ years mastery of character – in this case, later. NB: there are no dodos in it so, the evil Dougal Douglas – while you know, caveat emptor. the latter is a daring tapestry of There is a beetle in ‘The Beetle’, Windrush Londoners that’s perfect though. It was published in the year for anyone who loves ‘Small Island’. of ‘Dracula’ and outsold it by a factor Best known for ‘Gaslight’, Patrick At-war London, meanwhile, is Closer to undeserved obscurity is of six, which tells you all you need to Hamilton digs into the underbelly brought to life in Sarah Waters’s ‘The Norman Collins’s ‘London Belongs know about Richard Marsh’s horror of ’ †s London in ‘Hangover Square’. Night Watch’. There aren’t not too to Me’, which takes place at the same tale. It’s about an Egyptian scarab- It’s set on the ‘bleak plains of Earl’s many novels that celebrate queer time in a Camberwell full of larger- deity that might have crawled out Court’ and offers a juicy evocation love or that zip around the city as than-life, Dickensian characters. of a Stephen King novel but for the of pre-war London and some nice seductively as the bombs fall. It Want to go darker? ‘Payment Victorian setting and the odd scene insights into what pubs were like was nominated for a Booker, so it’s Deferred’, CS Forester’s macabre of disturbing insect erotica. And before any of them did food. maybe not entirely unheralded. potboiler, follows a indebted City who isn’t into that? ■

Life-altering WHEN IT COMES to that morning Machine home coffee cup of joe, necessity has been the 2Some people (ie me) don’t mother of invention for many of like faffing around with coffee us. Out has gone the habitual visit in the morning; they just want a big wisdom to our cheery local barista – hello, pot of the black stuff, no messing, Marco! – replaced with a need to no fuss and quick. That’s where a duplicate the taste and buzz from coffee machine comes in. Filter in, Perfect coffee with these the relatively espresso-machine- grounds in, water in, go for a shower, three ways to filter heaven free surrounds of our kitchens. But there it is. The Moccamaster is before you do anything desperate, beautiful and comes in lots of like drink instant, help is available. colours, but hotels’ supplier of choice Bravilor is for people who Pourover take their coffee seriously. Also, 1One of the best cups of coffee grind your own beans, seriously. you can get in this city is the pourover at Monmouth – complex, AeroPress strong, dark, like every mysterious 3It’s the faffiest of all the ways stranger you’ve ever fancied. It’s of making filter coffee but also easy to do at home too, all you the quickest, and the AeroPress need is filters and a pourover cone produces a seriously delicious cup (experts say you should pour from of coffee. Chuck in the usual filter, the kettle in a slow anticlockwise ground coffee and hot water, give it a direction). The Hario ceramic V60 stir, and wait just 60 seconds, then is the absolute gold standard. It’s drop the plunger and you’re setting probably the most labour-intensive off some major caffeine TNT for way to make filter coffee, but yourself. By the way, I’m not joking: produces a damn fine cup. Oh, grind your own damn beans. ■ and grind your own beans. Eddy Frankel

Time Out London December 8 – 14 2020 46

Make their year, with Galaxy