What To Do This Weekend 26.09.24

Debuting at The National Theatre this week is this heartbreaking family drama that focuses on Queenie, a brilliant Michelin-starred chef, played by Meera Syal (Broadchurch, Yesterday). Known for her sharp wit, Queenie’s memory starts to falter, forcing her children to face a painful decision and grapple with their duty to their mother. Directed by Tanika Gupta (A Doll’s House), the play tackles real-life family struggles, immigration and the Indian spiritual cycle of death and rebirth.

Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX; 25th September-16th November

Visit NATIONALTHEATRE.ORG.UK

This Friday, Christie’s Lates: Voices of Black Artistry returns to Christie’s King Street, London. This free, after-hours and open-to-all event will showcase a dynamic line-up of performances, talks, exhibitions and workshops, celebrating the creativity and energy of Black artistic expression. Bringing together exciting artists and thinkers from across the African diaspora, this edition of Christie’s Lates offers a vibrant experience in the lead-up to Black History Month. 

8 King Street, Mayfair, SW1Y 6QT; 27th September

Visit CHRISTIES.COM

SweatSearch – a next-gen fitness platform that connects users with personal trainers – is hosting an immersive pop-up in Southwark on Thursday 26th September, offering free personal training sessions and a chance to explore the new SweatSearch app. Drop in to try a session with a pro.

Riverside Slice, Bernie Spain Gardens, South Bank, SE1 9PP

Visit SWEATSEARCH.COM

New to the St James’s Market dining scene is Sael, the latest venture from Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, which opened just last week. This marks the first of several exciting launches from Atherton, including Three Darlings in Chelsea, Mary’s replacing Pollen Street Social, and Row on 5 on Savile Row. Sael, a brasserie, pays homage to the British Isles with a seasonal menu that celebrates the best local ingredients.

1 St James's Market, Piccadilly Circus, SW1Y 4QQ

Visit SAELLONDON.COM

With over 45 years of experience in the pre-loved luxury market, Sign Of The Times is known for sourcing the best vintage pieces. Don’t miss its extensive sample sale this weekend, where you can score up to 90% OFF retail prices on pre-loved luxury items. Expect to browse handbags, ready-to-wear, footwear and accessories from top brands like Chanel, Gucci and Prada

The Music Room Mayfair, 58 Davies Street, 1st Floor, W1K 5JF; 28th September

Visit CHICMI.COM

Brother Marcus is continuing its takeover of the capital, bringing modern Eastern Mediterranean flavours to Borough Yards, Spitalfields, Angel, South Kensington and now, Covent Garden. Having opened earlier this month, the new spot is the biggest yet and has two terraces overlooking The Yard. At the weekends, brunch is the order of the day, with a sharing style menu served until 4pm. Guests can expect to try sweet potato fritters, smokey shakshuka, fried chicken rosti and breakfast pitas filled with labneh, Kasundi jam, kofta, eggs, spinach and feta.

23 Slingsby Place, Covent Garden, WC2E 9AB

Visit BROTHERMARCUS.CO.UK

Join luxury wellness brand Ancient + Brave this month for Brave Run, a free event offering a unique chance to run a 5K alongside Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes. Kicking off the autumn running season, the event takes place at Clapham Common Park on 27th September at 7:15am. Suitable for all levels – from Olympians to beginners –this run celebrates the launch of Ancient + Brave’s latest product, True Creatine+. 

Clapham Common North Side, Clapham, SW4 0AB; 27th September 

Visit ANCIENTANDBRAVE.EARTH

The Connaught Grill in Mayfair is celebrating game season with special menus starting this month. Known for its bespoke service – including personal knife boxes and tailored napkins – guests will be able to enjoy seasonal dishes served with theatrical touches, like the original 1955 restaurant’s solid silver trolley. Executive head chef Ramiro Lafuente Martinez’s six-course menu (£140) features dishes like foie gras tartlet, stuffed rabbit saddle and roasted Yorkshire grouse. Wine pairings range from £90-£200 and are sourced from The Connaught’s cellar.

Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL

Visit THE-CONNAUGHT.CO.UK

Jonathan Miller’s iconic La Bohème returns to the English National Opera this week by popular demand. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, you’ll be swept away by an evening of hope, heartbreak, and Puccini’s music. At its core is a timeless love story: Mimì and Rodolfo, a young Parisian couple, live a simple, bohemian life. Poor but happy, they believe their love is enough – until illness and poverty push them to the brink, forcing Rodolfo to make a devastating choice. Puccini’s masterful score, featuring unforgettable pieces like "Musetta’s Waltz" will carry you from the spark of new love to its final fading moments. Tickets start from £10.

London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, Westminster, WC2N 4ES; 26th September-19th October 

Visit ENO.ORG

Next week, TastEd is hosting a special fundraising dinner at Honey & Smoke to celebrate five years of food education. Hosted by Anna Jones and foodie journalist Bee Wilson, the evening includes a veg-focused feast at Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich’s Fitzrovia restaurant. Guests can also enter a food-and-drink-themed raffle with prizes like dinner for two at Scotland's renowned Killiecrankie House, Laurent Perrier champagne, and a full set of Anna’s famed cookbooks. Tickets are £100pp.

216 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 5QW; 1st October

Visit TICKETTAILOR.COM

Tiffany & Co. has launched a new open-to-all gallery at Selfridges, featuring specially commissioned works by British contemporary artists Damien Hirst, Rana Begum, Jason Bruges and James Righton, alongside window displays inspired by the Tiffany archives. This takeover celebrates the brand’s love for art, design, and craftsmanship, and will run from 26th September to 20th October. To mark the unveiling of the Windows of Wonder, Tiffany & Co. will host guided gallery tours on 27th and 28th September from 11am-6pm – no booking required. Attendees can enjoy a Tiffany & Co. treat to enjoy their own 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s' moment while admiring the artist's windows with an audio-guided tour.

Selfridges, Duke Street Entrance, 400 Oxford Street, Marylebone, W1A 1AB

Visit TIFFANY.CO.UK & SELFRIDGES.COM

The Chelsea History Festival is back. Now part of the Chelsea Heritage Quarter – a collaboration between the National Army Museum, Royal Hospital, Chelsea Physic Garden and Cadogan – this year’s festival schedule includes talks from rock legend Bill Wyman, bestselling author Kate Mosse, and historian James Holland. Don’t miss the Do Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History? exhibition at the National Army Museum, and for the kids, there's the family-friendly Marvellous Army Medicine Tour. Check online for all event details.

Various locations; until 29th September

Visit CHELSEAHERITAGEQUARTER.CO.UK

The Hawk’s Nest has teamed up with eco-friendly reseller The Cirkel for a clothes swap event as part of Sustainable September. Swing by the west London hotspot on Sunday to shop pre-loved gems from brands like RIXO, Loewe, Reformation and Gucci – all at discounted prices. Need a break? Indulge in made-to-order wood-fired pizzas, like the double pepperoni with spicy honey or the decadent four cheese. Plus, cool off with a jug of Pimms or Aperol.

Railway Arch 190 & Market Yard, Shepherd’s Bush Market, W12 8DF; 29th September

Visit THE-HAWKS-NEST.CO.UK & THECIRKEL.COM

The Turner Prize celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and the 2024 exhibition opens at Tate Britain this weekend, showcasing work from the four finalists – Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Jasleen Kaur, and Delaine Le Bas. Each artist explores identity: Abad reflects on cultural loss and colonialism through his sculptures and drawings; Johnson’s portraits challenge the erasure of Black people in Western art; Kaur uses everyday objects like a vintage Ford Escort and family photos to capture her Glasgow Sikh heritage; Le Bas transforms spaces into immersive environments with painted fabrics, costumes, and sculptures, drawing on Roma culture and mythologies to explore themes of death, loss and renewal.

Millbank, SW1P 4RG; until 16th February

Visit TATE.ORG.UK