Edward Stephens chooses some of the best shows, tours and exhibitions
Houses of Parliament
Guided tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays all year and every day during summer opening (August - September). The guided tour takes about 75 minutes and includes the Commons and Lords Chambers, the Queen’s Robing Room, the Royal Gallery and Westminster Hall. For times and further information, see website : http://www.parliament.uk.
Conquer the Tower
Windsor Castle, running daily throughout August and September
This new guided tour, Conquer the Tower, takes visitors inside the Windsor Castle’s famous Round Tower and up 200 steps to the top of one of the nation’s iconic landmarks. From a height of 65.5 metres above the River Thames, they can enjoy breathtaking views of the Castle and historic parkland, the Thames Valley, the London skyline and across several counties.
Sky Tonight Live: Holiday Skies
Peter Harrison Planetarium, throughout August 2011
Discover what the UK night sky has to offer during the holiday season, then vote on a popular summer holiday destination to see the sky from other locations around the world. Presented live by a Royal Observatory Grenwich Astronomer.
Batman Live
The O2 Arena, August-24 – September 4
Batman Live is a visually stunning production, complete with a brand new original storyline. The live show will feature Batman, his trusty counterpart Robin, tireless butler Alfred and a host of other favourite Batman characters, including Villains such as The Joker, The Riddler, Catwoman and The Penguin.
Mack & Mabel
Greenwich Theatre, August 25-27
Award-winning youth musical theatre company, The company will bring this hit musical to Greenwich Theatre. Mack and Mabel was written by Michael Stewart and is set in New York in 1911 and Hollywood in the early twenties, when movies were silent and the cinema was magic. The story follows the turbulent relationship between Hollywood Director, Mack Sennett, and Mabel Normand, a waitress from Brooklyn, who goes on to become one of his biggest screen stars.
Glyndbourne live cinema link-ups
August 21
This summer the Science Museum has joined up with Glyndebourne to offer the truly unique experience of watching key performances from the world famous festival right in the heart of London. The opera will be brought to life in high definition on the giant cinema screen with stunning surround sound.
The Kitchen
National Theatre, from August 31
This production is directed by Bijan Sheibani and is set in 1950s London. The story follows the multicultural kitchen staff of an enormous West End restaurant. Thrown together by their work, chefs, waitresses and porters from across Europe argue and flirt as they race to keep up with orders. Peter, a high-spirited young cook, seems to thrive on the pressure and manages to strike up an affair with married waitress Monique, the whole time dreaming of a better life.
