It's all about throwbacks this weekend, whether it's to the Eighties or way back to the Jurassic period, Team ELLE have you covered for a weekend full of surpises.
Words by Tabithah Rahman
FILM: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
As Dev Patel, Dame Judi Dench and the rest of the gang reprise their roles in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, expect to see some fresh faces to the already awesome ensemble on this passage to India.
Namely Richard Gere. Old is most definitely gold in this instance.
In cinemas 26 February nationwide
THEATRE: Madame Butterfly
The Royal Albert Hall will be transformed into a charming Japanese water garden for the return of Puccini’s tale of tragic love, Madame Butterfly.
Set during the turn of the century, Puccini’s opera manages to blend distinct Eastern and Western styles to concoct a powerful performance of love and betrayal between an American naval lieutenant and his young Japanese Bride.
royalalberthall.com; Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
NIGHT OUT: Natural History Museum Lates
Roam amongst the dinosaurs and enjoy a night at the Museum with the Natural History Museum’s late nights. Taking place every last Friday of the month, February will see a natural way to start the weekend, with access to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition after dark, and a selection of food and drink under the dramatic settings of Hintze Hall and the Earth Hall.
nhm.ac.uk; Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
FOOD & DRINK: Blixen
Running along London’s Old Spitalfield’s Market, the recently opened Blixen Brasserie exudes a feeling of classical comfort with an old world twist, highly reminiscent of the Orient Express.
With an all-day menu featuring Toasted Banana Bread and Blueberry Pancakes for breakfast, and Cocktails that mirror old hotel classics spiced up with an up-to-date twist, Blixen will be your new ‘go to’ to spend all your hours in.
blixen.co.uk; Blixen, 65A Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA
FILM: Classics in the Courtyard
Hidden away in the heart of one London’s historic boroughs, Mayfair’s Hush Brasserie will continue their ‘Classics in the Courtyard’ screenings, with this weekend’s special being American Beauty. Snuggle under blankets and indulge in winter warming treats from no nonsense cocktails to a range of unusual popcorn flavours including Double Salted Caramel or Goats Cheese and Black Pepper.
hush.co.uk; Hush, No. 8 Lancashire Court, Brook Street, London W1S 1EY
MUSIC: Lionel Richie
Inventor of that classic line ‘Hello, is it me you’re looking for?’ and international platinum selling artist Lionel Richie returns to the UK, performing all the hits all night long. From Commodore classics to tracks from his most recent album, Tuskeegee, expect a night that will have you reminiscing over the permed hairstyle and shoulder pads.
theo2.co.uk; The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
ART: Goya: The Witches and Old Women Album
Whether you know them as grizzly hags with crooked noses riding broomsticks or the gentle do-gooders from the land of Oz, something wicked this way comes with the Courtauld Gallery’s latest exhibition of Goya: The Witches and Old Women Album.
Spectators are invited to view the product of Goya’s boundless imagination with sinister and ghoulish drawings of these wicked witches.
courtauld.ac.uk; The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 0RN, UK
NIGHT OUT: Silent Disco at The View from The Shard
After the success of the first event in December 2013, Silent Discos returns to the top of Western Europe’s tallest building, The View from The Shard. With a variety of musical mixes courtesy of three DJ setups, guests can enjoy a 360-degree view of London from 800 feet above ground.
theviewfromtheshard.com; The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG
THEATRE: The Indian Queen
Heralded as one of the best theatrical operas, Peter Sellars takes on direction of Purcell’s opera, The Indian Queen. Fusing text from Rosario Aguilar’s novel ‘The Lost Chronicles of Terra Firma’, the story recounts the confrontation between the Europeans and the Mayans of the New World, told through a female perspective.
The Indian Queen is set to be a spectacular show filled with music, theatre, dance, literature and visual arts.
eno.org; London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES
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