Welcome to issue 119 of Wharf Life. In this issue we celebrate design, art, theatre, food and places to live in this singular part of the capital, all in memory of Stephanie Massey / Garrett, chief proofreader and mum to Wharf Life co-founder, Jon. This publication could not have been created without her
The sport returns to the heart of the estate, with Wharfers encouraged to book and play in aid of Action For Kids. See our next issue for a big reveal... Sept 13-28, times and prices vary, canarywharf.com EVENT | The Boisdale Music Awards 2024 Hosted by Jools Holland and YolanDa Brown, this evening event celebrates a wealth of talent. Previous winners include Snow and Alabama 3. Sept 18, 6pm, from £149, boisdale.co.uk
TOTS | Mini Mondays: Under The Sea This free, ticketed event sees under 5s explore sensory 45-minute sessions and meet friendly puppets with a maritime theme. First one is 10.15am. Sept 9, times vary, free, londonmuseum.org.uk
Canada Square Park Canary Wharf Where?
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place
As the Docklands Sinfonia prepares for a concert to help St Anne’s in Limehouse raise vital cash for restoration work, we catch up with musical director Spencer Down
The Space Bar teams up with artist Ed J Bucknall to exhibit local paintings
buyers can get on
for
How
the ladder
less at Royal Albert Wharf
for this coffee stop blankstreet.com
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Twine, the latest play at The Yard in Hackney Wick, looks at adoption
Also expanding is another chain serving the black stuff. Joe And The Juice, despite sometimes glacial service, has been a bit of a sleeper hit in Churchill Place and is set to take on the unit that was briefly C’appucino at the bottom of the Tesco escalators in Cabot Place joejuice.com
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How Friends The Experience: The One In London delivers forensically detailed backdrops to help visitors fulfil the desire for a selfie in the epic sitcom
doing the deals
get more for less on and around the Wharf
£9
Head over to West India Quay’s Munich Cricket Club on weekdays from noon-3pm and get lunch for just £9. Options include schnitzel and the best of the currywurst munichcricketclub.co.uk
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£9.99
Thunderbird Fried Chicken in Wharf Kitchen is offering five strips, fries, XL gravy, mini slaw and a soft drink for under a tenner, weekdays, 11.30am-5pm thunderbirdckn.co.uk
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Get ready to party across multiple venues with Creekside Festival
virtual viewpoint
by Chris Ezekiel
We nd ourselves at an interesting and somewhat confusing juncture regarding the adoption of arti cial intelligence (AI) by various organisations. While businesses are eager to start reaping the bene ts the technology promises, they are often confused about the options, risks and levels of control available.
This is resulting in a hesitancy to adopt AI and creating a barrier to unlocking trapped value within some organisations.
At the same time, departments are faced with strict compliance policies as well as evolving AI legislation that is being developed by legislative bodies on a regional or country-by-country basis. It’s limiting joined-up global thinking or applicability.
Couple all of that with the negative press around ‘hallucinations’ and it is no wonder that trust has become the operative word in the sector.
It’s interesting to see that even big tech rms have been grappling with the social, economic and political factors impacting the AI landscape – one that’s moving at a phenomenal pace.
The companies producing the large language models (LLMs) are openly in an arms race to create the biggest and most impressive models.
Apple has been playing catch up and recently struck a deal with Open AI (the company behind ChatGPT) just before its development conference in June.
Apple had little choice but to do this deal with as it had fallen behind and its entry into the AI space was already well overdue.
When even the world’s biggest technology company is struggling, it’s no wonder
Shortly after the announcement the company had to hastily release a statement saying that its AI, Apple Intelligence, would not be released in the EU any time soon due to recent legislation in the territory.
businesses are confused
This is one example of how the rapidly changing AI landscape is impacting the adoption of the technology. When even the world’s biggest company is struggling to de ne its AI journey and how it can operate across di erent regions, it is no wonder businesses are often confused and forced into paralysis when it comes to rolling out systems.
We are all on our own individual AI paths, heading towards Destination AI, where many functions will be automated.
The only question that organisations need to decide is how quickly they want to get there. They need to decide if they want to lead and gain competitive business advantage, follow the pack, or be a laggard and, in all likelihood become irrelevant, very quickly given the pace of the industry.
At Creative Virtual, we use AI to help companies automate the customer experience through the use of chatbots and conversational technology. It’s up to rms like us to help organisations, through consultancy and products, to navigate their own journeys to Destination AI.
Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square
Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on X
The cost of a four-course lunchtime tasting menu at Pied A Terre. Six courses are priced at £155
FOOD REVIEW
Pied A Terre
Tasting Menu, via Tottenham Court Road Station (12mins) pied-a-terre.co.uk
Canary Wharf now has an astonishing variety of places to eat, drink and amuse oneself without ever having to leave the estate. That’s perhaps one reason why visitor numbers of July are up 8.5%, year-on-year as Londoners increasingly discover its well connected delights.
There are, however, a few things that are still unavailable on the estate and, for those, we have the Elizabeth Line. Sure, you could get the Jubilee or the DLR, but they don’t have air con or take just 12 minutes to plonk you at the interesting end of Oxford Street.
Pied A Terre has held a Michelin star since a year after it was opened by David Moore in 1991 and has accrued a bucket load of awards in addition.
But the key attraction of this Charlotte Street restaurant, a few minutes’ walk from Tottenham Court Road Station, is really the exactingly delivered levels of comfort, welcome and avour it delivers.
The dining room is small, friendly and beautifully appointed, with David and his team bobbing about with approachable grace and bonhommie. While we’re there, a female tattoo artist dining alone is invited to join another table by strangers. Soon they’re fast friends. It’s that kind of place.
But while the atmosphere is the epitome of conviviality, it’s really the food you should go for. Recently arrived chef, Phil Kearsey (formerly of Corrigan’s Mayfair) is creating dishes that fully live up to the venue’s pedigree.
He’s bold too. Eggs Kayianna, for example, is a beautiful, minimal, take on a Greek dish. A perfect white eggshell serves as a bowl for a smooth, rich,
Nothing for Instagram, everything for the tongue, Pied A Terre’s Eggs Kayianna
Above, an oyster and ‘The Garden Of Eden’ at Pied A Terre in Fitzrovia
Below, an exquisite chunk of dover sole
cheesy concoction that o ers nothing to Instagram and everything to the tongue.
But that’s just the start. There’s dover sole, hogget, langoustine and morels in a blockbuster of a tasting menu that seems, thankfully, to be almost bottomless. By the time we’ve nished the orange and cardamom pate de fruits, not only are we sated, we’re convinced this remains one of London’s best establishments.
key details
Pied A Terre’s four course lunchtime tasting menu costs £120, while six courses are £155. Wine ights start at £70. All are excellent value for the quality delivered.
Scan this code to nd out more about Pied A Terre
Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual
GIG
PP Arnold Boisdale Of Canary Wharf boisdale.co.uk
Following recognition at the Boisdale Music Awards, the singer returns to the estate’s premier live stage with a set sure to feature soulful renditions of The First Cut Is The Deepest and Angel Of The Morning. One of the brightest stars to emerge in the 1960s, she took a fresh direction in the 1990s, joining Britpop out t Ocean Colour Scene for It’s A Beautiful Thing. A stunning talent
London Museum Docklands is set to host a showcase and celebration of mudlarking at its West India Quay home
HISTORY
Mudlarking Weekend
London Museum Docklands londonmuseum.org.uk
From 10am-5pm on September 28 and 29, visitors to London Museum Docklands will be able to see a special display showcasing the nds of Thames mudlarks – beachcombers that sift through the silt and grime of the capital’s river in search of treasure, stories and history.
This free event is a celebration of the institution’s connection to the water and will also feature the chance to meet some of the mudlarks who recovered the items on show.
A talk from Kate Sumnall, archaeological curator at London Museum and former nds liaison o cer, is also set to take place where attendees will discover the tales of objects such as Bronze Age swords and Tudor toys recovered from the foreshore. This will take place on September 28 at 2pm and will last 90 minutes. Tickets for the talk cost £5.
FRENCH CONNECTION
Everyman Canary Wharf everymancinema.com
Usher: Rendezvous In Paris
Captured during Paris Fashion Week, this concert lm sees the artist in his prime at the top of a 30-year career. Viewers can expect never-before-seen costumes and special e ects as the popstar gives us a glimpse behind the scenes and into his life beyond the stage. This screening is set to take place on September 12 at 8.30pm. Tickets cost £23.50, but you get a sofa seat..
me
words you don’t know you need
noun, fake, from US English
Someone who knowingly shares AI content on social media knowing it to be false but pretending that it’s true. We’re all in trouble when one of the only two people that can become US president thinks it’s OK to be one...
verb, real, from Scots
This wonderful little word means to smile to oneself while daydreaming, although it also means to work in a feeble and indolent manner. It’s not impossible that the latter is a product of the former...
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3equals1 Design specialises in timeless, considered schemes that see interior spaces remain refreshed
by Jon Massey
ext time you’re in an office or a workspace of any kind, just stop for a minute and take time to notice its design. The colours, the furniture and even the layout will have likely been chosen and combined by someone like Maz Mahmoudi, founder and director of 3equals1 Design.
The company moved its clutch of creatives to Cannon Workshops, adjacent to Canary Wharf, a year ago, relocating from Waterloo to build on nearly a decade and a half in business.
“We were based at an old city farm in Waterloo for seven years before moving here, but developers got their hands on it,” said Maz. “I looked around and was trying to think what the good transport links would be. Selfishly, I wanted somewhere I could get to my home in Kidbrooke from, as
“We looked at a place in Mile End, but it was a bit sketchy and then noticed a ‘To Let’ notice as we were going past Cannon Workshops. We saw this unit and
“The move allowed us to reimagine our own workspace. We did the flooring, all the painting, the wiring and the electrics. I like that it’s on two levels and we love the community aspect of being here too. I had no idea this whole world even existed – the dock, the nice little pubs and London Museum Docklands.
“This was the first time I’d signed a five-year lease, which felt very grown up – we need to keep the business going for at least that Maz is energetic, interested and interesting, suggesting that another few years won’t be much trouble to achieve.
Having originally trained as a furniture designer, she initially embarked on a career as a maker and found herself the only woman on the workshop floor.
“I had a great time,” she said. “But furniture making is physical. By 30 a lot of the guys were having back problems and I found myself at a crossroads trying to decide what I wanted to do.
“I did a bit of set building for movies and some art direction, before going on to work at a furniture dealership.
“I’ve always loved furniture.
People identify with it. There’s comfort and longevity there –history and craftsmanship too. A dining table might be used for Christmas dinners or summer parties, but it’s also where the kids do their drawing.
“Dealers curate pieces for architects and it was mostly workplace stuff. I was made redundant in the 2008 credit crunch and then went on to work for a design-and-build architecture firm, learnt a lot about that sector and was then made redundant again.”
While dreaming of relocating to New York, but with limited visa prospects, Maz decided to start her own design business with two friends. Her partners went on to pastures new, but she stuck with 3equals1, evolving the company as new work came in.
“I started it in London at my kitchen table and it’s really changed,” she said. “Initially my customer base was all furniture dealers. I’d get floor plans and made sure furniture fitted the spaces.
“Then I’d get work from design-and-build companies that didn’t have their own in-house designers. There wasn’t any huge strategy, just a lot of interest – going out, networking and speaking to the right people.
“I’d meet clients who would ask me to come back and do more work and now we work with a few asset managers when they are trying to get tenants into their buildings.
“After Covid, nobody wanted to be in a workspace with desks and boardrooms, everybody wanted to feel places were personalised – a home away from home. Then there’s sustainability to consider. We really have grown organically.
“Today we are predominantly commercial interior designers for workplaces, hospitality venues and some residential properties for developers.”
Whatever the project, understanding how a space will be used by those inhabiting it is crucial to Maz and her team’s process.
“I couldn’t do any of this without the people around me –having different designers with their own ideas is what keeps us varied as a business,” she said.
“Each of us challenging each other is what makes design really exciting and organic and prevents it from becoming stale. It’s especially important when we’re designing an environment for lots of people not to be a lone ranger
Maz says while keeping abreast of trends is essential, 3equals1 aims to create designs that don’t date rapidly
The company is based at Cannon Workshops next to Canary Wharf
Years since Maz Mahmoudi founded 3equals1 Design. The company moved to east London in 2023
style and substance
The rm has worked on all kinds of di erent projects over the years from o ce spaces to hospitality venues and commercial showrooms
When a client comes to us with a space, we try to understand the demographic of the people working in the company
Maz Mahmoudi, 3equals1 Design
– you need different voices to make sure you’re catering for the different people you’re designing for.
“When a client comes to us with a space, we try to understand the demographic of the people working in the company. How do they dress? Are they in suits, smart casual or jeans? We need to create an environment where they will feel at home.
“ Everyone says that most of our lives are spent in work – so to have a comfortable space allows people to be productive.
“We look at everything, from the flooring to the architecture of the building we’re working with and we try to give a nod to that.
“We also look at longevity – we typically don’t want to do overly fashionable design that’s cool for a year and then everyone would feel deflated. For me, a big part of sustainability is how long the materials you put in will last. It’s about getting the right stuff in –timeless design that doesn’t shout.
“It’s also about speaking to people. It’s not about what I or the team want for their office. It’s about what the client wants. They have to be happy where they are.”
3equals1 Design is eager to collaborate with more companies in Canary Wharf and east London and there’s one particular project on Maz’s wish list.
“I really want to design a pub,” she said. “I want to really rethink what the space could be. I have this idea that it could be a co-working space during the day and then turn back into a drinking den in the evening.”
key details
3equals1 Design is a workplace interior design company based at Cannon Workshops near West India Quay. Maz and her team offer a range of services to transform and refresh spaces for all kinds of organisations and businesses.
Go to 3equals1design.co.uk for more information
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why my mum would have wanted all of Wharf Life’s readers to go out and create wonderful memories
by Jon Massey
Among the last conversations I had with my mum, Stephanie, was one about this paper. She knew she was dying, but she wanted to collaborate on a special feature, highlighting some of the things she’d loved doing in Canary Wharf and the surrounding areas. Without mum there would be no Wharf Life. Not only did she give birth to me – enabling me to co-found the business with Jess Maddison in 2018 – but her support for our venture was bottomless.
As well as being a constant source of ideas and inspiration, she proofread every single issue, painstakingly homing in on editorial errors and saving us a thousand embarrassments in print over the years.
Sadly, mum died suddenly from a severe infection in July. She’d gone into hospital a month earlier with symptoms probably caused by breast cancer that had returned after more than a decade of clear tests. While no formal diagnosis was possible, we were told it was likely she only had weeks to live. In the end it was days.
However, true to character, she wasted no time and called the family together to make sure we all knew exactly what she wanted to happen. We were incredibly lucky to have those days – to be able to say everything we felt about one another and to simply spend those hours, minutes and seconds together. In the end, that’s all that really matters.
SVictor, surviving an earthquake while she was out there.
In addition to proofreading Wharf Life, after her retirement from teaching she’d gone back into schools – forever passionate about opening young minds – this time at primary level to read with disadvantaged children. The sessions with those kids, which will have sparked a lifelong love of stories and learning in so many, along with the countless students she saw through their A-levels are a vital part of her legacy.
Most of all, though, she was mum to me and my brother. She supported us unconditionally, both in our everyday lives and in
Issues of Wharf Life expertly proofread by Stephanie, starting with our very rst issue on February 14, 2019
Mum loved visiting the capital. Here she is enjoying the company of a few vibrantly coloured Londoners in Hyde Park with the help of some fresh apples
tephanie was a teacher, an author, an examiner, a writer of letters, a feminist, a reader, a socialist, a singer, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a music lover, a film buff, a theatre fan, a mother-in-law, a foodie, a traveller, a sociologist, a cat-sitter, a tour guide and an occasionally reluctant Yoga enthusiast. She was funny, vibrant, engaged and curious, with plans always in the diary. Shortly before she died she’d visited Taiwan with my brother, David, and his husband,
our journalistic and musical careers. We both owe her everything.
Mum died before she had the opportunity to edit this feature, but the ideas and locations on the opposite page are all places and activities she’d enjoyed.
She would have liked nothing more than to know that others might take inspiration from them and create memories of their own in these places, just as we did over many years. Sory fore al the typoss, mum. Unfortunately you’re irreplaceable.
an appeal
Cancer is a cruel disease. It can strike without warning, appear to be gone and come back and take those we care deeply about away from us with remorseless speed.
While significant progress is being made on treatments, the arsenal tools doctors have at their disposal remains limited. If anything on this page has touched you, please consider donating or contributing to Cancer Research UK. Go to cancerresearchuk.org
Scan this code for more about donating to Cancer Research
Stephanie Massey / Garrett
1951-2024
Ra proofreader’s progress places to go across Canary Wharf , Docklands and east London
ight from when I started working in Canary Wharf in 2008, mum would increasingly find reasons to come and visit me in the area. She really came to enjoy its singular and often under-appreciated attractions. After we launched Wharf Life, she often made reference to her wish list of places we’d featured, that would then be added to the itinerary for her next trip. Over the years, we did our best to work through as many as possible, soaking up the culture, sights, food and drink of this unmatched part of the capital. Here are a few of the highlights to fill your own diaries with...
EATING OUT
Mum loved eating out in Canary Wharf itself. While her tastes were varied, a few venues stood out as favourites.
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf for lashings of steak and too many chips, Boisdale Of Canary Wharf as the ideal event venue, rich in canapes and wine at Cabot Place and MMy Wood Wharf for smooth gelato at Badiani and fine pasta from Dez Amore.
Another favourite was breakfast at Dishoom in Wood Wharf, with Keema Per Eedu the preferred option – a wonderful melange of minced chicken and fried eggs all stuffed into heavily buttered brioche buns.
Then for the evening more Indian cuisine courtesy of Chai Ki, Crossrail Place’s restaurant and bar themed around an illegal drinking den. All are well worth a visit with bookings available via the websites below. thehawksmoor.com boisdale.co.uk mercatometropolitano.com dishoom.com chai-ki.com
>> It wasn’t just places on the estate that mum enjoyed, however, with restaurants on the Isle Of Dogs and far beyond an equal attraction. Bokan on the top three floors of the Novotel on Marsh Wall provided a memorable tasting menu and an exquisite view of the sunset. Nearby Capeesh served up solid Italian cooking and celebratory drinks, while further down the Island, The Space Bar fed us well at breakfast on many occasions. When in Greenwich, she enjoyed the cooking at Bianco 43 and vegan cakes from Rubys Of London as well as sweet treats from The Fudge Patch and street food from Greenwich Market
Further honourable mentions go to The Yurt Cafe and Holy Cow and in Limehouse for top quality provisions. bokanlondon.co.uk capeesh.co.uk rubysoflondon.com thefudgepatch.co.uk greenwichmarket.london rfsk.org.uk/yurt-cafe holycowonline.com
CULTURE
Whether it was Canary Wharf’s own arts and events programme or venues further
Top, the annual Winter Lights Festival at Canary Wharf. Middle, panto at Greenwich Theatre. Above, Earth Clipper sails towards Tower Bridge and east London beyond
afield, the area’s culture was an equally big draw for mum. The estate’s annual Winter Lights Festival was a must as were the regular showcase exhibitions at London Museum Docklands on West India Quay.
The panto at Greenwich Theatre had become a tradition in recent years, with its superb turns from villain and author Anthony Spargo, while plays at Theatre Royal Stratford East and art at Trinity Buoy Wharf in Leamouth were also firm favourites.
Readers should also note the quality and variety provided for free each year by the Greenwich + Docklands Interna tional Festival. Mum loved the explosive acrobatics of the shows on offer as well as the vibrant comedy provided by performers such as Ricky Beadle-Blair. This year’s festival takes place from August 23-September 8. canarywharf.com londonmuseum.org.uk greenwichtheatre.org.uk stratfordeast.com festival.org
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
mudchute.org royalparks.org.uk
TRANSPORT
Finally, a word on getting around. Mum delighted in the Elizabeth Line, although she was also a fan of the DLR.
One of the great benefits of living and working in Docklands or along the Thames is the wealth of open spaces to explore. There’s no shortage of parks and open water in this part of London and mum loved exploring what’s on offer Mudchute Park And Farm was often top of the list on the Isle Of Dogs, offering both access to the rare breed animals and plenty of gentle walking trails. Greenwich Park was another favourite, with its crop of museums (especially the Old Royal Naval College’s Painted Hall) and its commanding views
However, it was the services operated through Uber Boat By Thames Clippers that were her favourite. These fast river bus routes are ideal for visitors to east London, allowing people to connect to the major sights in a novel, exciting but comfortable way. The business recently welcomed its third hybrid vessel to the fold, meaning Londoners can now travel on the water with massive reductions in emissions. Mum would have loved that. tfl.gov.uk thamesclippers.com
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Steak at Hawksmoor
Sunset from Bokan on the Isle Of Dogs
how The Space has teamed up with local artist
Ed J Bucknall to showcase and sell his paintings
by Jon Massey
Serendipity played a part in bringing Ed J Bucknall’s art into The Space Bar. Specialising in capturing views of east London, his native Wapping and especially the Thames, he’d painted The Grapes pub for co-owner Sir Ian McKellen, a work that now hangs in the actor’s riverside watering hole.
That same image caught the eye of Andrew Finnegan, bar board chair at The Space Bar, who saw it on Ed’s stall at Wapping Docklands Market next to Shadwell Basin and decided it would make the perfect present for a friend.
“He drinks regularly in The Grapes and he’s a keen cyclist,” said Andrew. “The painting had a bike outside the pub, so it was the ideal gift.”
Having made the connection and, keen to forge local partnerships or m t al enefit as duly invited to exhibit some of his work at The Space Bar – the hospitality arm of the Westferry Road arts centre on the Isle Of Dogs that, completely coincidentally, has Sir Ian as its patron.
“It’s an exciting venture for me because The Space is such an amazing building and one that’s not particularly well-known outside the area,” said Ed. “The bar now has some of my original works on the wall as well as prints that are available, framed or unframed. People are buying about one a week at the moment.
“With this collaboration, what I’ve tried to do is capture the local area – pubs, the historic cranes, Millwall, the dock and the Docklands Sailing And Watersports Centre as well as other locations along the Thames.
“My watercolour of The Space itself has already sold and prints have one o ro n the orl .
“I’ve got loads more pictures in the pipeline and – working in this area, I’ve been introduced to other buildings and other pubs – so this is the start of something that I hope will continue to be a real success.”
Originally an architect, Ed found the increasing digitisation of the profession less than satisfying and began selling his
Cost of a signed print by Ed J Bucknall from his collection at The Space Bar
on the walls
Top, Ed’s painting of The Space in Westferry Road
Left, Ed mostly works in his sketchbook to capture London, often inspired by the Thames
paintings at Wapping Docklands Market in 2021. He also trades at its sister markets in Canada Water and Tower Hill and sells his paintings through Skylark Galleries on the South Bank, working full time as an artist.
ork appeals to i erent people – locals who have lived in the area for many years, people moving into the area, those moving out and tourists visiting,” he said.
“Commissions are a big part of my income too. Only this morning, I was talking to a boatcontinued on Page 23
from Page 10
owner about doing a painting of their boat, which is fantastic. I also recently delivered a big order to Tower Bridge’s gift shop, which is their fourth in the last couple of years, so it’s all going really well
“Thanks to social media I’m now selling work internationally, which I never thought would happen. I’m always out drawing and painting with my sketchbook.
“It’s like when you’re out walking a dog, people come and talk to you and you get a lot of feedback that way.
“I’m planning to do more panoramic views of the Thames which are popular and have already painted the oldest pub on the Isle Of Dogs – The Ferry House – and places like Burrells Wharf, which is where Brunel’s ship The Great Eastern was built and launched from. That sold within 24 hours of going up at The Space.”
Ed’s signed prints start at £50, with original paintings available from £295. These can be purchased at The Space Bar or online via Ed’s website. Go to edjbucknall.com or space.org.uk for more information or to make a purchase
Scan this code to nd out more about Ed’s work at The Space
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
tried + tested food at The Space Bar
It turns out, Ed isn’t the only man selling works of art at The Space Bar. The venue’s kitchen was recently taken over by chef, Leslie Nkansah, whose CV includes stints working with John Torode, Gordon Ramsay and Henry Harris.
Now serving food every night (as well as brunch at weekends from 10am-3pm), the menu is strongly focused on burgers. But what a culinary treat this place has now become. Start with the Crispy Coated Stu ed Olives (£4.50) for a little bowl of intense avour bombs. These are bite-size pops of punchy garlic and tomato that will doubtless make it onto the controlled substances list before too long for being too moreish. Better still is the Buttermilk Jerk Burger (a complete steal at £9.75). This towering creation comes with a waterfall of Leslie’s spicy jerk sauce cascading o a mountain of pimento- avoured jerk chicken thighs and slaw that barely squeeze into a soft toasted brioche bun. Quite simply it’s the best burger I’ve had in a very long time, possibly ever. The spices combine to just the right level of heat and the meat is astonishingly juicy. Just be prepared for a certain amount of glorious mess – just the way it should be. Go to space.org.uk for bookings
Jon Massey
| An Evening Of Alternative Rock Supernovae presents performances by The Eeps, The Ancient Unknown and Life In The Dark as heavenly harmonies meet grungy grooves in east London. Sept 13, 6.30pm, free, poplarunion.com
Ed’s paintings of Millwall Outer Dock and The Ferry House pub on the Isle Of Dogs
Above, the best tenner you’ll ever spend, otherwise known as the Buttermilk Jerk Burger at The Space Bar
Yes, that’s right. Deep-fried olives...
Price of an early bird ticket to see the Docklands Sinfonia at St Anne’s Limehouse as they perform Oceans Of Sound: A Nautical Night At The Proms
how the Docklands Sinfonia is doing its bit to support a vital campaign
by Jon Massey
St Anne’s Church in Limehouse is set to host a programme of events to help raise £3.6million towards the restoration and transformation of the building. These include the Lonely World Youth Festival (August 31), a performance by the multicultural east Londonbased Grand Union Orchestra (September 7) and the Thames Festival: Sail Out (September 21) where young people will celebrate the building’s proud Docklands history.
We’re forward planners at Wharf Life, however, and so are looking even further ahead to an evening with St Anne’s resident orchestra, the Docklands Sinfonia on September 28.
“It’s our home – it’s where we rehearse and it’s been really important for us over the past 15
years,” said Spencer Down, the orchestra’s founder and musical director.
A ter o r first concert in 9 we got a call from the BBC to ask if we’d do a programme for them and we ended up playing in the Royal Albert Hall.
“Then loads of things started to happen – we played for the Queen at Buckingham Palace, we did a concert with Katie Melua at the London Coliseum and performed at the Barbican, but it is really important that we remain grounded in this community.”
That’s something especially close to the conductor’s heart, given his journey into music.
“That was through my granddad – he was a shipwright in the docks and then would play in the working men’s clubs at night,” said Spencer.
“He was a trumpeter and he’d take me and my brother along to the local brass band at Tilbury Docks – they gave us free instru-
Setting up an orchestra was always a dream – nding St Anne’s was actually down to my wife, Kirsty Walker
Spencer Down, Docklands Sinfonia
ments and got us going. I played the trombone and euphonium and my brother the trumpet. I started at seven and my granddad and members of the band taught us.
“We made great mates and that’s what kept us going back each week – not just the music, but the social side. It was multi-generational. On Sunday nights we would go with my mum and sister and everyone would spend the evening together. That ethos was very important when I was setting up the Docklands Sinfonia.
ntil he ie hen as 19 my granddad took us to so many concerts and rehearsals. I think he would be immensely proud. If he was here now he’d have been able to sit back, listen and enjoy himself.”
After cutting his teeth as a brass musician, Spencer went on to study at the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama in the City. He eventually specialised in conducting, before embarking on a career at the music college’s junior department that has seen him take charge of various ensembles and co-ordinate its brass operation for the past 25 years.
“I was born in Grays, so it’s always been east London for me,” he said. “At the time I was thinking about starting the Docklands Sinfonia, I was living on the Isle Of Dogs – a vibrant area that didn’t have an orchestra.
“Setting one up was always a ream an fin in t Anne s as actually down to my wife, Kirsty Walker.
A ter o r first chil as orn we were out walking and went past the church. She popped in and came out saying she’d found the place for the orchestra. Then, along with her mum, she helped me set it up.
“We met with the vicar and he was very helpful, telling us that they were coincidentally doing work to clear the altar, which o l allo s to fit an orchestra in there. It was a bit like fate.
“Putting it together was great. I got loads of mates involved – professional musicians and students from Guildhall and Trinity.
“Over the years we’ve put on all sorts of concerts that have
Above, Spencer and the Docklands Sinfonia in full ow – you can catch their next performance at St Anne’s in Limehouse
The proceeds from Oceans Of Sound: A Nautical Night At The Proms will go towards the Hawksmoor 300 campaign, which aims to restore and repair parts of the Grade I listed church to ensure its accessibility to the community
the space with sound
attracte lots o i erent cro s ith film m sic sitar concertos an an pieces. e ere the first ritish orchestra to o a hole pro ramme o ersian m sic
t s a o t pla in an n er stan in m sic rom i erent c lt res. Across on on there s a lot o i erent comm nities so it as important or s not to st per orm classical pieces that ever one kno s. sic s a reat a to rin people to ether a lan a e e can all n erstan an en o . e also ant to rin people into t Anne s so e can help raise the mone an make it an even more ama in place.
o that en the orchestra ill per orm Oceans Of Sound: A Nautical Night At The Proms ne t month.
pencer sai he concert is part o the hames estival an so e ll e pla in an el s Water Music. t as ritten or in eor e an as act all pla e as he ent p an o n the river on his ar e in 1 1 . here as another ar e fille ith m sicians an the stor is the hames as covere in oats ith ever one listenin to the m sic. he kin ent rom hitehall alace p to helsea an then ack a ain an is sai to have een so please ith it the m sicians ha to pla it a rther three times. e on t e oin that at t Anne s. here ill e other pieces too incl in Fantasia On British Sea Songs arran e enr oo in 19 to mark the centenar o the attle O ra al ar. t starts o ith le calls an en s ith le ritannia.
here ill also e some li hter m sic incl in the theme rom Pirates Of The Caribbean. t all fits eca se the ch rch has s ch stron naval connections.
key details
Oceans Of Sound: A Nautical Night At The Proms is set to take place on eptem er rom .3 pm. arl ir tickets cost 1 risin to or eneral release. hil ren s tickets cost 1 .
ocklan s in onia ill also per orm a can elit concert in ai o t Anne s on Octo er at .3 pm. o can also fin o t more a o t the a ksmoor 3 campai n an its e orts to restore t Anne s an its ar ens or the people o imeho se via the e site elo .
For more information go to hawksmoor300limehouse.com
Scan this code to nd out more about the concert
Wapping - Limehouse - Whitechapel - Tower Hill
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
Where? The George Tavern Whitechapel
Discover Paige’s music with this east London headline gig following the release of Professional Lingerie Model. Support comes from Crimewave. Sept 17, 7pm, £7, thegeorgetavern.london
Where?
Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping
Join the
and
as
through a programme promising unforgettable
Vocals come from Francesca Confortini. Sept 18, 7.30pm, from £10, wiltons.org.uk
| LuAnna: The
Where? Troxy Limehouse
O Audiences are encouraged to hold onto their granny pants, dust of those dancing shoes, and warm up those vocal chords for this live podcast recording. Sept 15, 4pm, £49.52, troxy.co.uk
grill time
Tobacco Dock in Wapping is gearing up to host Meatopia as fans of esh cooked over ames gather to eat, drink, dance and generally revel. Runs Aug 29-Sept 1 with tickets starting at £32.10. Packages are available meatopia.co.uk
Scan this code to nd out more about Meatopia at Tobacco Dock or to book tickets for the event
GIG | Paige Kennedy
EVENT
Big Blow
GIG | Brian Clemens Jazz Orchestra
composer
pianist
he leads his group
glamour.
Top, Docklands Sinfonia founder and musical director, Spencer Down Above, the orchestra has performed in numerous prestigious concert halls
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Arijit Singh
Where? The O2 Peninsula
The singer and Bollywood star comes to Greenwich, building on a career that’s seen him rise to become one of the most followed artists on Spotify. Sept 12, 6.30pm, from £82, theo2.co.uk
Where? Greenwich
STAGE | Aled Jones: Full Circle
From Walking In The Air on an ad, to a 40-year career as a singer, the Welshman looks back on his crossover appeal and re ects on his life and works. Sept 14, 7.30pm, from £30, greenwichtheatre.org.uk
Where? Old Royal Naval College Greenwich
STAND UP | Greenwich Comedy Festival Catch headliners like Harry Hill, Josh Widdicombe, David O’Doherty, Phil Wang and Dylan Moran as the blockbuster festival returns to south-east London. Sept 11-15, times vary, £26.50, greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk
coming up
The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival is set to run across east and southeast London from August 23 to September 8 with a packed programme of free festivals on o er. Find full listings online festival.org
Scan this code to read artistic director Bradley Hemmings’ festival highlights in our recent interview
Days the next edition of Black Eats Fest takes place over at Woolwich Works. There are four sessions split over September 14 and 15
Black Eats founder Jackson Mclarty has taken a digital platform aimed at supporting hospitality businesses and used it to create a live events business
the
how Jackson Mclarty’s Black Eats has grown from online resource to full-blown hospitality powerhouse
by Jon Massey
Black Eats was born from a hobby. Working at a marketing agency, Jackson Mclarty enjoyed lunches and dinners with clients. O tsi e office hours, he liked visiting restaurants, bars and cafes – posting his favourites to social media as many do. But that changed in 2020.
“During the pandemic, we had the George Floyd incident in the US and the Black Lives Matter movement that emerged,” said Jackson.
“I was trying to support local, black-owned businesses as much as I could with my own personal spending.
“But I thought that, if I could encourage other people, then that would have a greater impact. So that’s why I created Black Eats as a directory – a place to educate and share information with people on where to go. I wanted them to know that they didn’t have to order online, that they could just go down the road and get food from a local supplier.
“We started with 100 restaurants in August 2020 – it seems such a long time ago now. At the time the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme was o erin o an e la nche a marketin campai n or the businesses listed on Black Eats that were participating.
“That provided an incentive for people to visit those restaurants – we were saying: ‘Go on, try something new, get out of the ho se . here as no financial enefit or me asn t ainin anything – it was just about educating people, which is the first step or an thin .
The next step – building on the directory – was telling more people about it. Jackson increasingly used social media to promote black-owned hospitality businesses and generate an audience.
Today that stands at more than 70,000 followers and a directory o st over resta rants. However, the online presence was not an end in itself. Jackson had added a second string to Black Eats’ bow in 2021 by entering the world of live events.
ith the first Black Eats Fest in Hackney, I was going into unknown territory, I’d never run anything like that before,” he said.
“I hadn’t even put up a gazebo.
All I had was an audience and a concept. It was a massive risk, but I had a vision of what I wanted to execute and I was going to nd out how...
Jackson Mclarty, Black Eats
All I had was an audience –customers – and a concept. It was a massive risk, but I had a vision of what I wanted to execute and I as oin to fin o t ho to o it.
At that first event e ha somethin like tra ers an 2,000 ticket registrations across the weekend. That’s quite small compared to where we are now, but it felt impressive.”
Solid growth and success then saw two things happen. Firstly, Jackson was able to leave his day job and focus full-time on Black Eats and, secondly, crowds of up to 1 people meant the live events needed to expand beyond Bohemia Market’s capacity to accommodate the footfall.
“For what we do, we had to look for a very particular space,” said Jackson. “For us, having food of the correct quality means having an outdoor space so dishes can be cooked fresh.
“When you come to Black Eats Fest, you’re going to see the barbecues, the jerk pans and the r ers all these i erent eli hts rom i erent co ntries ma e right there.
“Woolwich Works is perfect because we have the courtyard, but there’s also indoor seating just in case we get attacked by rain. We never push the venue to full capacity, because we want the festival to be a place people can move around easily, so that the can tr o r or five i erent things over the four hours.
“There is real warmth in a carnival atmosphere where people are shoulder to shoulder, but this is a food festival and we want guests to be able to get around more easily than that. There’s so much to try.
“Back in June we had a Zimbabwean barbecue, a couple of jerk chicken vendors, a couple of Nigerian vendors, Guadelupean cuisine, Ethiopian cuisine and so much more.
“There are bars serving cock-
tails, one stall was doing drinks in pineapples and the cane juice was o in .
“However Black Eats Fest also goes beyond food – there’s a whole cultural celebration. We have black-owned businesses selling everything from skincare to clothing, art, educational books and sunglasses.
“We try to be as diverse as possible, because we don’t want our visitors to see 10 of the same thing and the brands don’t want to be competing. It’s about people interacting with their customers –that’s what we really love.
“The whole point is to not be like a typical market or event where people come and it’s just transactional a financial rela tionship. We want people to come here an eel lfille . i ht no those coming to Black Eats Fest ill fin aro n 1 oo ven ors and plenty of other businesses. It’s about coming and having an experience.”
While the popularity of Black Eats Fest itself seems assured, its parent organisation is also in fine ettle. lack ats alon si e championing the businesses in its irector has also iversifie into supplying traders for events and this year sent businesses to some 10 festivals in two weeks, including the likes of Wireless and UK Black Pride.
nnin events aro n the would be the next step – we could do my home town of Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds an heffiel sai ackson ho has relocated to Woolwich from north London.
e nee to fin the ri ht spaces and balance of traders, but that would be great. Then we’d love to look at major European cities like Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin.”
From there, who knows...
key details
Black Eats Fest returns to Woolwich Works from September 1 1 . ach a eat res t o sessions – from noon-4pm for amilies an rom pm 9pm or over 18s.
ickets cost 1 . an ill e released via Black Eats’ website. Sign up for the mailing list to access the earl ir rop 3 o or follow @blackeatsldn on Insta. Previous events have sold out, so stay sharp. Go to blackeatsldn.com
Scan this code to nd out more about Black Eats
Black Eats Fest features a wealth of traders and avours at Woolwich Works’ Fireworks Factory and main courtyard
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
Where?
Cody Dock
Canning Town
EVENT | Lighting Up The Lea x Totally Thames
Marking the o cial launch of the regeneration project’s Heritage Lottery Programme, expect food, drink, folk music, crafting and more at this open day. Sept 21, 11am-7pm, free, codydock.org.uk
Where?
Excel
Royal Victoria Dock
EVENT | Big London Tattoo Show
Back for a third year, this symphony of body ink returns with more than 450 artists ready to leave indelible marks on those who desire it. Sept 7-8, 10.30am, from £33.25, biglondontattooshow.com
EVENT | British Science Festival
Where?
UEL
Royal Albert Dock
Spread across multiple buildings at the university’s Royal Docks and Stratford sites, this is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of science. Sept 11-15, times vary, free, britishsciencefestival.org
ash back
UEL is set to host the Creative Industries Festival at the Royal Docks Centre For Sustainability in September as Alison Lowe and her team bring organisations and individuals together to foster collaboration uel.ac.uk
Scan this code to read our interview with Alison and nd out more about the festival in Royal Docks and Stratford
how Friends The Experience: The One In London delivers faithfully recreated locations for fans to jump into and snap
by Jon Massey
It’s comforting, welcoming and inviting – many people watch Friends again and again and have told us it’s the last thing they see before going to bed,” said Kathleen Wallis, vice president of global themed entertainment at Warner Bros. Discovery and one of two people heading up the creation of a new attraction in east London.
Together with Stacy Moscatelli, CEO of OGX Productions, the pair have taken a space at Excel’s newly minted Immerse LDN waterfront strip and conjured forth a little bit of sitcom magic.
The Friends Experience: The One In London opened its doors this month, o erin visitors the chance to pose and snap away in a series of painstakingly recreated sets from the show. Not only that, there’s a chance to enjoy themed refreshments in a New York-style space after exploring the attraction and a gift shop.
That this experience should be launching some two decades after the final episo e aire is testament to the comedy’s enduring popularity – the fact it has found fresh fans as younger audiences fall for the trials and tribulations of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler and Joey.
“It’s got universal themes and many people use the show to learn how to speak English,” said Stacy.
“Everyone growing up experiences first love room mates navi atin apartments, jobs, choosing careers, falling out – it’s just very relatable.
“The show was really well done and has held up – it’s still very enjoyable to watch.”
The attraction at Immerse LDN –which will house a number of visitor experiences as well as a food hall at the east London conference and exhibition centre – has its roots in a New York pop-up.
“We were talking around the studio about the 25th anniversary of Friends, so we decided to do something like a pop-up in New York City for 30 days in Soho,” said Kathleen.
“That was in 2019 and it was massively successful. I think everyone is a Friends fan on some level.
“We’ve been creating these live e periences in i erent locations for a few years now, so we see the emotional reaction people have when they come into the spaces.
“The novelty of that never wears o atchin people ein in the space, their reactions and where they take their pictures. ith this one e starte o thinking about what a fan would be disappointed by if we didn’t have it
in a location like this – what should be in London?”
Visitors who pay the £20 ticket price ill fin a selection o sets such as the fountain from the title sequence, the characters’ apartments an a aith l recreation o co ee shop and sometime gig venue, Central Perk. What’s fresh for this edition of the experience, however, are some si nificant no s to on on including a tribute to Joey getting lost with his camcorder and Emily and Ross’ wedding.
“This is more than a pop-up, it’s a a ship creation here in on on where we bring to life all of the iconic sets and some of the fun from some of the episodes that people loved the most,” said Stacy. “They get to immerse themselves in those places and relive what they loved about the show.”
Kathleen added: “While it’s a show that everyone has watched at some point, people haven’t stepped inside the physical spaces before.
Scan this code to nd out more about The Friends Experience
We started o thinking what a fan would be disappointed by if we didn’t have it in a location like this – what should be in London?
“We start with the opening credits, the fountain, the music and then all the things you would expect. But we also visitors to on on an e ve got the interior of the chapel where visitors can recreate Ross’ wedding.”
While the altar isn’t real – you have to hop on the DLR to Shadwell to visit St John’s Church in Wapping, which was used for the location shoots in the series, for that – the romance certainly is.
“My favourite thing about these experiences we’ve created is the proposals,” said Kathleen. “We’ve had 270 across all our locations so far, which is amazing.
“I think it shows the emotional connection people have with the series, that it makes sense for them to do that in our sets.”
Stacy added: “I’ve seen the doors open and people just break down crying because it’s so emotional for them to be here on a set.
“We really hope that people have a joyful experience. As you walk through, we have a lot of episodes playing and you can’t help watching, laughing and smiling.
“We’ve been around the world, and we still stop and laugh. We’re both Friends fans – my favourite episode is when Ross has trouble with his leather pants.
“We know we can’t disappoint people who love the show, so we created the sets with a forensic level of detail – we have to get it right, because the fans know – and we’ve worked really closely with Warner to make that happen.”
All this means that when you open the fridge in Monica’s apartment, achel s tra itional n lish tri e is right there lurking. Jam, good. Custard, good. Beef, gooooood... key details
The Friends Experience: The One In London is now open, with bookings for dates all the way into February available. Tickets start at £20. VIP packages (including professional photography, which is typically extra) cost £65.
For more information go to london.friendstheexperience.com
Kathleen Wallis, Warner Bros. Discovery
Kathleen Wallis, left, and Stacy Moscatelli have worked hard to recreate the show’s iconic sets
Starting price for tickets to Friends The Experience: The One In London at Immerse LDN in Royal Docks
The experience opens with a chance for visitors to recreate the title sequence from Friends
Below right, one of the locations inside is a recreation of the chapel where Emily and Ross married in London. Friends experiences have hosted 270 real proposals
Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
Where?
The Albany Deptford
EVENT | Creekside Festival After Party
Bop the night away in style to celebrate the end of the multi-venue festival with a line-up of local crews, DIY radio DJs and local businesses. Sept 7, 10pm-3am, from £14.50, thealbany.org.uk
Where?
APT Gallery Creekside
ART | Moonlighting (A Bit On The Side)
The Art In Perpetuity Trust’s annual group show features work from artist members with pieces curated by Sheila Vollmer and Victoria Rance. Sept 12-29, noon-5pm, free, aptstudios.org
Where?
The Albany Deptford
DANCE | J’s Dance Factory Forest Hill Show Watch students from the school light up the stage with a series of performances aimed at showcasing their hard work and dedication to movement. Sept 15, 3pm, £17.50, thealbany.org.uk
try this
Nepali street food stall Hamro Maya at Canada Water Market was so new when we reviewed it in our last issue, it didn’t even have an online presence. But it does now. Follow @hamro.maya.social for serious avour hamromaya.com
Scan this code to nd out more about Hamro Maya and its food on a newly minted website
£19.25
Ticket price to attend Aaja’s Creekside Festival across Deptford in September
through the venues
how Creekside Festival is set to provide electronic music from noon until the small hours across Deptford
by Jon Massey
Deptford is set to be awash with electronic music as local radio station and venue Aaja celebrates six years of entertainment on September 7.
Spread across a multitude of venues, Creekside Festival will see the crews such as AAJA Italy, Asha Sound System, Botanica Zoo and Cheeky Sound System take various stages in the area. Featured artists will include Freshta, DJ Flight b2b Digital, Steve O’Sullivan, Yosh, Abby Daze, Alexander Sneaks, Amaia (FKA DJ Ammi), Antz Boogie, Ariane V, Baby Guinness, Bandi, Bassline MC
Bay Bush K, Benjamin Long, BB, Big Nick D, Brew, Calm Steige, Cassie Clarke and Lady Passion. The full list is so long it would ll up this entire page.
Aimed at championing local out ts, DIY radio and local businesses, the festival is essentially an electronic music takeover of a multitude of Deptford stalwarts.
Scan this code to nd out more about Creekside Festival
Albany Garden, The Albany Red Room, The Albany Theatre, The Birds Nest, Villages and Upside Down Records are all participating. Arriving early is strongly advised as two initial ticket releases have already sold out and capacity may be limited in some spaces.
A full programme of events and locations will be available online before the festival takes place to help guests nd their way to see their favourite artists and crews.
key details Creekside Festival is set to run at multiple venues on September 7 with performances kicking o at noon. Tickets start at £19.25 with full listings available online. Go to creeksidefestival.com for more information
The Aaja Snake Pit is among the venues hosting festival events
Starting price for a ticket to see Twine at The Yard between August 30 and September 21
Playwright Selina Thompson is set to premiere their latest work at The Yard
daughter of the
how
Twine at The Yard Theatre promises to dive deep into adoption amid bloody eggs and ghosts
by Jon Massey
Playwright Selina Thompson is headed back to The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick for the premiere of their latest work, taking on the topic of adoption.
Twine is set to run at the east London venue from August 30 to September 21, before embarking on a national tour.
Made with input from Support Not Separation’ and foster parents, adopters, social workers, academics, artists and activists who have all shared their stories, the show promises to break taboos while yearnings and desires grow deeper.
The play follows Bark, Sapling and Seed as they take the writer on a journey that investigates what families are and could be.
The press materials say it’s set in “a forest of bloody eggs, ghost family members, vaudeville politicians and broken TVs”.
“I’m so excited to bring Twine to The Yard, having spent time developing and nurturing the show since our sharing at the venue last year,” said Selina.
“Staging the work in front of a generous, responsive audience has been such a key part of shaping it, and I’m really delighted to build on that with director Jennifer Tang and the creative team.
“It’s the company’s rst show as part of the Arts Council England’s National Portfolio and we can’t wait.”
The show stars Nandhi Bhebhe, Angelina Chudi and Muki Zubi as Seed, Sapling and Bark, respectively.
The Yard Theatre’s artistic director, Jay Miller, said, “Selina Thompson is one of the most exciting and
innovative artists working in the UK today.
“Their body of work has consistently wowed audiences with its bravery and uniqueness.
“This production of Twine started as a live draft at The Yard in 2023 to support Selina’s scaling up of the work.
“Twine is a story about how to be a daughter when the state is your parent, and it’ll be told in a unique way.”
key details
Twine is set to run at The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick from August 30 to September 21. Tickets start at £10 with various discounts available. Go to theyardtheatre.co.uk for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about Twine at The Yard
Stratford - Bow - Hackney Wick
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
QEOP, East Bank, Stratford Cross Stratford
DANCE | Dancing City
The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival pitches up in E20 for a day of dance. Find full listings for these free performances online Sept 7, times vary, free, festival.org
The metal out t bring their Embrace The Darkness tour to Stratford with support from Bangover and Struck A Nerve. Expect a few classics in the mix. Sept 14, 6.30pm, from £10, cartandhorseslondon.com STAGE | Abigail’s Party Starring Tamzin Outhwaite and Kevin Bishop, this revival of Mike Leigh’s play set in Essex 1977 features plenty of cocktail snacks and Demis Roussos. Sept 6-Oct 12, times vary, from £10, stratfordeast.com
Education Networks, which is preparing to open William College in Stratford, o ering law-based degree courses to students at the heart of the town
Scan this code to read our interview with Cedric and nd out more about what the college will o er
Images by Myah Je ers
Sudoku
How to play
To complete Sudoku, ll the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.
More to play
You can nd more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca
Notes
crossword beating
Down
1. Allow NW city; does the clock say 14.50? (12)
Take a break from that phone Across 1. Words appearing on a wall for someone else? (12)
whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy
Cryptic Quick
Drat comedies (anag.) (12)
Lone Ranger’s chum (5)
7. Evening meal without small veg is very good (5)
8. Thespian performance in NW London? (5)
9. An attempt earns five points (3)
10. Agreement to trick our feelings, sort of (9)
11. Financially shod water source? (6)
12. There’s a gap without one, it seems (6)
15. Do away with a novel, but keep cuttings! (9)
17. Computer that sings? (3)
18. Boredom at night time, almost Gallic (5)
19. Great commander? (5)
21. Nautical vessel in charge? (12)
2. Gratuitous upsetting advice? (3)
3. Races repeated on telly (6)
4. Sign to exchange biblical writer? (9)
5. Musical records (5) 6, 14. Not much progress on the Moon (3,5,4,3,3)
