Things to do
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: The Watermill Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream opens today. It's Shakespeare's classic, set in a Victorian music hall, with a soundtrack of Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Wilton's (Limehouse), £10-£29, book ahead, 29 January-15 February
DANGEROUS DRAWINGS: Illustration expert Professor Alan Male gives a lecture about illustrations which have made and shaped history. He discusses particular case studies which have deliberately disregarded ethics and moral responsibility to shock, threaten, subvert or ridicule. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
BEFORE GRENFELL: As part of the current Forged by Fire series, there's a talk about the history behind the June 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, in which 72 people died. Find out about historic issues of fire safety in buildings, and the political, cultural and social responses, through fire and building collapse case studies including New Cross (1981) and Bradford City Football Club (1985). Museum of the Order of St John (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 6.30pm
MUSEUM LATES: Science Museum keeps its doors open late on the last Wednesday of every month, for an evening of adults-only activities. Browse the displays and exhibitions after hours, or take part in activities relating to this month's theme, medicine. Discuss the history and horrors of the humble condom, listen to songs performed by the NHS choir, or have a dance at the silent disco. Above all, check out the museum's fabulous new medicine galleries. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, 6.45pm-10pm
EUROPEANS: Ahead of the UK leaving the EU, the latest European put in the spotlight at Dash Cafe is French photographer, painter and poet Dora Maar — the subject of a current Tate Modern exhibition. Hear from curators, and fellow poets and artists about the Surrealist's career, and the photomontages she became known for. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £5, book ahead, 7pm
AUTHOR TALKS: Journalist Lucy Scholes talks to authors Rosamund Lupton and Liz Moore to discuss their latest novels in which they write about stigmatised issues and hard-hitting topics. Lupton's novel Three Hours is the tale of a school under siege, and Moore's Long Bright River is set in Philadelphia, when the bodies of murdered sex workers begin to appear. Waterstones Piccdailly, £8, book ahead, 7pm
AI SECURITY: As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in our lives, should we be worried about our personal security? Hear from Computer Science professor Michal Pěchouček about how we can increase our security online, and how AI is likely to be used in the future. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
CANDLELIT PHOTOGRAPHY: Experience and capture Southwark Cathedral after dark at a special late night opening for photographers. Explore the building at your own pace, photographing the elements that are often overlooked. Photographers of all abilities welcome, as are tripods. Southwark Cathedral, £10, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
POLARI:Novelist and critic Paul Bailey is the special guest at this month's edition of LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari. He reads from his first poetry collection, Inheritance, with other authors Nathan Evans, Jill Gardiner, John O’Connell and SJI Holliday also on the line-up. Southbank Centre, £5, book ahead, 7.30pm
NEW COMEDY: Comedians Patrick Healy and Jamie D'Souza preview snippets of the shows they'll be performing in Edinburgh this year. It's the first time at Edinburgh for both of them, so this could be a chance to see the next big comedy talent at a bargain price. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
Wednesday, as ever, is 'guess the tube station from the lazy, screengrabbed Street View image'. Reckon you know which station this photo is close to? Tweet @HeckTube with the answer for your chance to win an exclusive piece of shrivelled up spinach from my lunchtime bap.
Good cause of the day
There's still time to get tickets to Thursday's pub quiz in aid of the Australian bushfire appeal. Organised by Aussies living in London, the quiz is for teams of up to six, with funds split between the Australian Red Cross and Wires Wildlife Rescue. Find out more and book tickets.
What we're reading
- A 360 degree tour of the revamped Old Vic Theatre.
- Killing Eve series 3 wrap party held at London restaurant.
- Appeal launched for rejected Tulip Tower.
- Chelsea becomes first Premier League football club to introduce fully vegan food kiosk.
