Bedtime Stories 

Sitting around in your PJs, sipping a cocktail, listening to a story – Bedtime Stories is an unusual prospect but it’s captured the capital’s imagination.

The new season launches this week with Casanova biographer Beau Brummell’s Sex In The Eighteenth Century.

In February, Tales Of Love, Lust And Longing makes sure Valentine’s Day is as sexual – sorry, romantic – as can be.

Devil Girls changes tack come March with two nights of supernatural tales, and April has both Indian Tales and Sherlock Holmes: The Last Act to entertain you.

£30, from January 24. 7pm 
40 Winks, E1 4JU  
Tube | Stepney Green  
40winks.org 

 

Alexei Sayle

A Scouser and Marxist, Mr Sayle had an interesting take on alternative comedy back in the Eighties, the decade of power suits, “greed is good” and Wham (pictured)!

Back with his first solo show in 16 years, it’s a chance to see where stand-up as we now know it all began. No exaggeration. 

£10+. Jan 21-Feb 9
(not Jan 27, 28, Feb 3 & 4), 7.30pm 
Soho Theatre, W1D 3NE  
Tube | Tottenham Court Road  
sohotheatre.com

Voyage

An odd proposition given London’s propensity for cold, rainy winter weather, but no less stunning.

Every night Canary Wharf Middle Dock has a  flotilla of miniature paper boats by Aether and Hemera crossing it.

Best of all, you can influence their shape, form and luminescence with your mobile. 

Free, daily, until Feb 15 
dusk-2am Canary Wharf, E14 4HJ 
Tube | Canary Wharf  
canarywharf.com

 

Future Cinema: Shawshank 

The immersive moviegoing experience’s latest focus is prison classic The Shawshank Redemption and shows what it was like for Tom Robbins’ Andy Dufresne.

New dates have been added due to popular demand for this event at Cardinal Pole School.

With actors, scene recreations and the film itself, it’s as if you’re there.   

£33.50+. until Feb 24, 6pm E9 6LG  
Tube | Homerton  
futurecinema.co.uk

 

Natys Comedy Showcase & Awards

An orgy of new act comedy carnage to make you piss yourself laughing, this evening is the grand final of the 30th annual New Act Of The Year (NATYs) competition.

Sixteen competitors, including comedy blues band Jonny & the Baptists and sketch group Four Screws (above), will do their best five minutes for the judges and you to decide who is this year’s winner, set to take the stand-up stage by storm.  

£12.50, January 27, 7.30pm 
Bloomsbury Theatre, WC1H 0AH  
Tube | Euston Square  
thebloomsbury.com 

 

High Resolutions

Photojournalist Jeremy Hunter headlines this exhibition with photos of North Korean propaganda that capture the majesty, artistry and dedication behind DPRK‘s Arirang Games, the annual demonstration in which thousands of dancers perform with pure precision. Communism has its uses …

Free, Jan 16-Feb 16 
Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm
Sat, 11am-5pm 
Atlas Gallery, W1U 7NF  
Tube | Baker Street  
atlasgallery.com

 

Festival of the Spoken Nerd

The nerds’ new show, Life, Oh Life, is a combination of stand-up, science experiment and audience interaction.

Laugh and learn with brainiacs Steve Mould (experiments), Helen Arney (songs) and Aussie maths master Matt Parker as they investigate where we come from and where we’re headed.

January 21 & 22, 7.30pm 
Bloomsbury Theatre, WC1H 0AH 
Tube Z Euston Square  
thebloomsbury.com

 

Photos: Helen Cathcart, Getty, YouTube