Pitta parties, poke bowls and some of the best high-flying circus acts you’ll see all year; here’s what’s on this weekend in London
Words Helen Brown
Here’s what not to miss this weekend in London
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S OVO
Cirque du Soleil returns with the UK debut of OVO. A colourful carnival of crazy crickets, amazing ants and flexible fleas, the show uncovers the ground at our feet. Rush headlong into an ecosystem teeming with life in this non-stop riot of movement and mind-blowing, high-flying acts.
LONDON MIME FESTIVAL
The London International Mime Festival is a unique event in the theatre calendar; a once-a-year chance to see the very best in contemporary and cutting-edge circus, dance, physical theatre, object manipulation and more. From Lynchian magic to juggling inspired by Indian dance, there is much to be amazed by this weekend in London.
AHI POKE
This month, Ahi Poké is heading to the City with two brand new openings in Spitalfields Market and Bloomberg, bringing their Californian take on Pacific poké to the City. To celebrate, they’ve teamed up with Psycle to bring you The Psycle Bowl, which will be available at all Ahi Poké locations from 22nd January – 22nd February, along with 50 free Pscyle classes available on a first come, first served basis each day.
SKYLIGHT CLOSING PARTY
Skylight’s Winter season is coming to a close so this weekend the fabulously fun rooftop destination is inviting guests for one final apres-style blow-out. If you’ve not yet been, now is the time to go. Expect delicious spirits and cocktails, fondue and street food from YIRO, cutting edge DJs, ice hockey shooting, indoor and outdoor heated areas and the some of the best views in the city.
THE GRIFT
Part game, part theatre experience, The Grift is the latest in immersive experiences to hit London’s late-night scene. In one fun and action-packed evening, participants will be dropped into an adventure where they will be trained in the art of the con, meet characters, solve clues and get a masterclass from the ultimate grifter. This one is sure to be a sell out so book your tickets this weekend.
BERBER & Q SHAWARMA BAR PITA PARTY
Berber & Q Shawarma Bar are beating the post-festive blues by welcoming four of London’s hottest chefs to their Exmouth Market kitchen. Each will create a pita to beat all others, that will run as a special on the Shawarma Bar menu for a week during January. The line-up sees Smokestak, Breddos Tacos, Honey & Co and Oded Oren bring their culinary expertise to the pita.
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
60 years since the play’s debut, The Birthday Party returns with a landmark production, directed by Ian Rickson. Stanley Webber is the only lodger at Meg and Petey Boles’ sleepy seaside boarding house until the unsettling arrival of enigmatic strangers, Goldberg and McCann, disrupts the humdrum lives of the inhabitants.
THE DISTILLERY BANKSIDE
Already famed for its expansive selection of gins, The Distillery has updated its popular menu to include four alcohol-free tipples for those embarking on a drink-free January. Priced at just £7 each, the “gin-based” drinks offer damage control for the purse-strings, while still providing the opportunity to enjoy a guilt-free G&T. For those not so virtuous, a gin masterclass is available whereby participants can discover a variety of gins and tonics, before mastering the art of a perfect Negroni cocktail.
