Bane Trilogy
Dubbed a stage equivalent of Die Hard meets The Naked Gun, this comedy-theatre meets action movie concept is a one-of-a-kind, without hyperbole, as it fuses many genres into one strikingly individual whole.
The show follows tough-talking hitman Bruce Bane – the exceedingly talented multi-performer Joe Bone – as he battles his foes, dispenses with his enemies, and does it all with gags, tunes, wisecracks and his own score.
There are three separate shows, and you can catch them all in a Sunday triple-whammy.
Jan 7-13, various times Soho Theatre.
W1D 3NE £12.50
Tube | Tottenham Court Road
sohotheatre.com
Hampton Court Ice Rink
Most of the capital’s other rinks packed up for the season last week, so here’s one of your last chances to catch some al fresco bruises, err, skating before the winter’s end.
It’s in the surrounds of Hampton’s Henry VIII home on the Thames, a stately former royal abode with an epic garden which has a maze you can get lost in.
Until Jan 13. 10am-10pm
KT8 9AU, £11+
Tube | Hampton Court
hamptoncourticerink.com
John Lewis January Sales
Forgive them their sickly Christmas ads that tormented you in December and make the most of this last week of the sale which slices 50 per cent off pretty much most of their wares.
You won’t get a better chance to boost your stocks of stuff you don’t actually need until next year, so get hunting.
Until Jan 13, Mon-Wed,Fri-Sat 9.30am-8pm;
Thu 9.30am-9pm; Sun 12pm-6pm W1A 1EX, free.
Tube | Oxford Circus
johnlewis.com
Tower Bridge Tour
Yes, it is a bridge tour, but more specifically it is an engineering tour behind the scenes of the making, history and machinations of one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
Take in its creation at the height of the industrial revolution, and marvel at its panoramic views of the city from the 42m-high walkways.
Until March 31, Sat & Sun only.
SE1 2UP, £30.
Tube | London Bridge
towerbridge.co.uk
The 50-hour Improvathon, Hoxton
The sixth annual improvathon takes Egyptology as this year’s theme. Across 25 two-hour performances running this weekend, you’ll see the likes of The Mummy and Indiana Jones fused with Tutankhamun and ancient rites, as performers delve deep into myth and fact for inspiration.
Improv masters from all across the world, including Ruth Bratt, Pippa Evans and the event’s director Adam Meggido, are flying in for all the unscripted manic magic.
Jan 11-13, various times.
Hoxton Hall, N1 6SH, £7+
Tube | Old Street
extemporetheatre.com
Rain Room
Quite why this ingenius installation has been put on in the British winter, when there is no shortage of rain, is beyond us. But it has.
Like the outside, with one main difference – the falling precipitation is controlled by motion and light sensors so the rain falls around but not on you. If only this could be the same outside.
Until March 31, 11am-8pm
Barbican, EC2Y 8DS, free
Tube | Barbican
barbican.org.uk
Reel Lives
Biographies are big business, with Hitchcock and Diana, about the famed director and princess out this year. This season of bio-films profiles James Bond creator Ian Fleming, introduced by actor Charles Dance, and features a panel discussion on why we’re so fascinated by other people, with comedienne Julia Davis in the line-up.
Until Jan 30, various times
BFI Southbank, SE1 8XT, £7+
Tube | Waterloo
bfi.org.uk
