september-2010

ON THE STREET…
ON THE STREET…
ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
From secret cinemas to post-modern opera,
the options for cultural activities in London
are both abundant and diverse. If you’ve
visited the capital before, you may have ticked
off mandatory items such as Tate Modern,
Regent’s Park and Big Ben – but if you haven’t,
then get cracking! Just to complicate things,
here are a few more you may like to try.
Even if it’s your fi rst time, there’s nothing
quite like the colourful montage of over-thetopness
that the English lishh National NNational ion Opera
ra ( 1
www.eno.org) will blast you with. No ordinary
boxes-and-binoculars experience, this cultural
institution is staunchly innovative and known
for its imaginative stage direction and design.
Many of the productions are new, and all are
performed in English (with surtitles).
An Open OOpen n City City it Architecture Architecture chii
Tour
Tour ( 2 www.
open-city.org.uk) is a fun way to explore the
design and history of London’s buildings. Tours
take place every Saturday, led by architects
and architectural historians. There are a
selection of four tours, which rotate each
week. Advance booking is essential.
The Design es gn g MMuseum
Museum ( 3 www.
designmuseum.org) falls slightly off the
beaten track – situated on the south bank of
the Thames just past Tower Bridge – but is
an amazing place to check out the latest in
contemporary design. Founded by the grand
wizard of design, Terence Conran, it also boasts
a second-fl oor café that has stellar riverside
ON THE GROUND LONDON
views and a sensational seasonal menu.
Heading westward along the river,
you’ll find d Shakespeare’s SShakespeare’s kesp e a e Globe
( 4
www.shakespeares-globe.org), a modern
reconstruction of the original 16th-century
open-air theatre where Shakespeare wrote
and acted. Get yourself a £5 (€6) “yard” ticket
for the critically acclaimed Henry IV part 1 or 2
(until 9 October). It’s standing room only – but
you’re free to fetch a beer whenever you like.
Over in the West End, get a taste of
burlesque, as Lady Alex’s The TThe Wam WWam
a Bam Baa
Club
( 5 www.wambamclub.com) heats up the
Café de Paris, just off Piccadilly Circus. It’s a
hilarious tableau of comedy, posh hip-hop,
explosions and, yes, many a sexy lady.
For cutting-edge art and all that is trendy,
you can’t beat the East End. Head to places like
Vyner Street for First stt Thursdays
T u ys ( 6 www.
fi rstthursdays.co.uk), a monthly event where
a whack of warehouses-turned-art-galleries
open their doors to art junkies, who swill cheap
booze on the cobbled streets and talk shop
over street art, sculpture and photography.
Redchurch Street in Shoreditch is
another pocket of awesomeness with
bars, independent shops and galleries, like
minimalist is ist The e Ga Gallery a e in Redchurch S
St ( 7
www.galleryinredchurchstreet.com).
FLY TO LONDON (GATWICK, LUTON AND STANSTED)
FROM OVER 100 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING ALGHERO,
BELFAST (CITY) AND DINARD. VISIT WWW.RYANAIR.COM
Off the wall
Street art on Rivington
Street in Shoreditch
The Aubin Cinema gives
East End fi lm fans a treat
HOT SEATS
Taking a peek around
London’s lesser-known
cinemas is a great
way to see how “the
locals do it”, and the
capital’s silver-screen
offering stretches well
beyond the expensive
big movie theatres of
Leicester Square. Try
the Roxy Rox ox (
8 www.
roxybarandscreen.com)
down in Borough, where
you’ll find a clever
combination of digital
screens and good food.
A variety of new/old art
films is on offer, as well
as football matches.
Another option is newly
opened The T e Aubin Au Aubin u
Cinema C ne n
( 9 www.
aubincinema.com).
Part of the über-cool
Soho House Group, it
feels every bit exclusive
with its make-out-ready
couches and intimate
46-seater screening
room. They even
have performances
especially for parents
with babies and young
children – something
that’s always helpful
in London when the
rain comes down. On
17 September, the
cinema will be showing
Tamara Drewe, the new
Stephen Frears comedy
adapted from the Posy
Simmonds graphic
novel, and starring
actress of the moment
Gemma Arterton. Very
British indeed!
RYANAIRMAGAZINE
47