Must-see: Vogue: Inventing the Runway
Adopt your best blue steel look and strut right into the heart of the fashion world with this immersive exhibition at the Lightroom in King’s Cross. Following on from its five-star Moonwalkers show about space travel, this one takes a look at the history of the fashion runway show from the couture salons of the 20th century to the huge spectacles of today. Featuring more than 60 designers, where better to head over and strike a pose?
Until April 26, Lightroom, 12, Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY, lightroom.uk
Art fix: The 80s, Photographing Britain
Ah the Eighties, shoulder pads, big hair and bonking in country piles — well, that’s if you’ve been watching Rivals on Disney+. This show, pictured below, takes a very different look at a critical decade through the lenses of a diverse community of photographers. These are stories of protest and change set against a backdrop of race uprisings, miners strikes, Section 28, the Aids pandemic and gentrification. And no randy showjumpers-turned-Tory MPs in sight. Sadly.
Until May 5, Tate Britain, tate.org.uk
Hot table: Krug x London’s top chefs
Champagne brands love their traditions; one of Krug’s is to match its annual Grande Cuvée release with a specific ingredient, before setting top chefs a MasterChef-style task to build a menu based around it. 2024? Year of the flower. Extravagant set courses by chefs Simon Attridge and Adam Handling have been prepared (duly paired with Krug’s newest offerings) and are available to book until December 3. Something festive.
From £325, krug.com
Screen gems
The Listeners
BBC One
Yes, it sounds bonkers — a teacher starts to hear a low humming sound inaudible to everyone else — but The Listeners, below has fascinating things to say about misinformation, conspiracy theories and cults. Even better, it stars the ever-excellent Rebecca Hall as Claire, who begins to unravel after this noise upsets the balance of her life. This is a show designed to be enigmatic, provocative and haunting, and is certainly not the usual Sunday night fare. Available now
Spellbound
In cinemas and Netflix
Wicked (read our review here) too scary a festive treat for your little uns? It that case, Netflix has this animated Christmas rival from none other than Shrek director Vicky Jenson, which gets a simultaneous streaming and cinema release (go on, treat ’em to a big-screen morning out). It’s the story of a young girl on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a spell turns her mum and dad into monsters. Some parents might be best left that way…
The big read: Out, Tim Shipman
Tim Shipman’s original Brexit book, All Out War, was a seminal event in political publishing: every detail and every side of the referendum campaign. He’s kept up the writing of these books, covering our tumultuous politics since and his works are treated as gospel. His fourth volume covers the defenstrations of Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. There’s a lot to get into, which is why this volume clocks in at over 900 pages. Out now
Listen: Morayo, Wizkid
Friday sees Nigerian superstar Wizkid take a more thoughtful and personal turn in his career as he releases the long-awaited Moraio. Translating to “I see joy”, the album will be the Afrobeat singer’s most introspective, with it dedicated to his late mother, who died last year. Aside from this not much is known, but the 34-year-old is expected to offer his signature sound with a little more R&B and honest, exposing, emotional pain at the forefront.
Out November 22
Don’t miss: Tiella
Famously George Orwell’s favourite pub, Islington’s Compton Arms has for the past few years played host to various food pop-ups, including Four Legs, which grew into The Plimsoll. But the best of these has been Tiella, above, with Dara Klein toiling in the tiny kitchen to turn out food from Italy’s boot heel, Puglia. Now, 20 months after opening, Klein is moving out and on. Catch her here before she does; the food is spectacular.
Until December 20, Compton Arms, 4 Compton Avenue, N1 2XD, comptonarms.co.uk
Book now: Skuna
Life is short and serious; fun is an antidote, at least to the latter. Skuna, the floating hot tub specialist (truly a thing), might provide some. This winter it has launched a transparent igloo that a group can clamber inside to float through the Canary Wharf waterways. Inside, there’s a fondue set fired up, to feed a group of up to nine. Drinks can be drunk, and a skipper is on hand to take the group on a tour.
West India Quay, Off Hertsmere Road, E14 4AL, skunaboats.com
