Wharf Life, Jul 12-26, 2023

Win a £100 gift card to spend on fried chicken Page 5

how Leila Moore and the other instructors at the Docklands Sailing And Watersports Centre can help anyone get out on the dock

celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

inside issue 92

Natasha Maddison - Fish Game Festival14 - Skuna Boats - City Cruises

Leo Weisz Therapy - Sudoku

Punchdrunk - Weston Homes

Royal Wharf Clinic - Hiver

Buster Keaton - Hacks Crossword

Image by Jon Massey

Where? Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Square

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Welcome to the 92nd issue of Wharf Life. This paper is about our relationship with the water all around, whether it’s eating seafood at Fish Game, cruising the Thames or docks with Skuna Boats, City Cruises or the Docklands Sailing And Watersports Centre or simply nding a home by a river. Dive in...

GIG

The queens of Lovers Rock return to the Boisdale stage for an evening of hits including the likes of Silly Games, Make It With You and That’s What Friends Are For. Aug 3, 9.30pm, from £39 (show only), boisdale.co.uk

Where?

Canada Square Park Canary Wharf

SEE | Matilda The Musical Family Film Club returns with this screening of the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic about an extraordinary girl with a sharp mind. Aug 5, 10.30am, free, canarywharf.com

Where? Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Square

GIG

Riding the wave of Big Beat alongside the likes of the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, this 1990s out t blend hip hop, punk and ska with drum and bass. Aug 10, 9.30pm, from £29 (show only), boisdale.co.uk

As theatre company Punchdrunk’s epic immersive production, The Burnt City, celebates its nal three months of performance, we talk to founder and artistic director Felix Barrett

work, currently on display

How Royal Wharf Clinic brings medical expertise to aesthetic treatments

Find out all

| Janet Kay And Carroll Thompson

| The Dub Pistols

on the radar

need to know

Top of the spots this week is Townhouse – a new beauty salon in Jubilee Place offering manicures and pedicures for £42 and £49.99 respectively. Prices include a choice of either gel or polish. There’s even a simultaneous hand and feet option... townhouse.co.uk

doing the deals

get more for less on and around the Wharf

£20

Iberica is currently offering a four-course tapas lunch from noon-3pm, MondayFriday for £20 per person at its North Colonnade restaurant ibericarestaurants.com

25

In celebration of the release of the Barbie Movie Westfield Stratford City is giving away 100 Vue tickets on July 21 and 22 to those dressed in Barbiecore or Kencore. Entry is from 10am via the guest services desk – staff decision is final westfield.com

Watch the films of Buster Keaton with live music from the ‘20s

£12

28

How Hiver is having a whole bunch of parties in its craft beer taproom

34

How Leo Weisz Therapy stands ready to provide rapid, indepth help to those in Canary Wharf and east London struggling with a range of symptoms and issues

Joining pretty much every other terrace on the Wharf, The Cocktail Club is curently offering two drinks for £12 during its happy hours 4pm-9pm weekdays thecocktailclub.com

subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly get two cocktails per person & 90 minutes of video gaming in your own private booth

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

write me

words you don’t know you need

warter

noun, fake, from Old English

An unsightly blemish on society such as a privatised utility company operating a monopoly but failing to invest in services that are a human right while running up billions of pounds of debt in the process

style it

psithurism

noun, real, from Greek

The sound of wind in the trees rustling their leaves. Perhaps less romantic than the gentle passage of air through verdant foliage, but nonetheless a beautiful image too. Just lie back under at tree, close your eyes and drink it in

- PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS IN CANARY WHARF AND EAST LONDON

BURNOUT ADDICTION STRESS CRISIS RELATIONSHIPS ANXIETY

FREE

A

I’m not alone, as celebrities including Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen have posted on Instagram or been papped in matching ensembles too.

Theindustry.fashion – a site that reports on the inside view of UK fashion – recently declared “Mini-Me” the high street’s latest phenomenon. It says Generation Alpha (kids under 13) and their mostly millennial parents are becoming clones of one another. Since they share the same attitudes as their parents, Gen A have already been dubbed “Mini-Millenials”, and now they can dress the same too.

● Much to my joy, Waitrose in Canada Square has a Mini-Me collection from John Lewis that includes pyjama sets, dresses, tees, and even swimwear. The Ditsy Daisy Dresses from its Anyday brand are priced from £14 for the kids version, with the adult version now reduced to £33 from £48.

● Matalan in Greenwich Retail Park has a wider range which caters for the whole family – perfect for pre-holiday shopping. The tropical print swimwear sets are my favourite, with the Multicoloured Tropical Floral Cropped Bikini Top priced £12.50, the matching bikini bottoms are £8.50, and the Girls Mini Me Bikini Set costs £8.50, available in ages four and up.

● Mango in Canada Place is also in on this trend, and I can’t resist its matching Denim Jumpsuits, currently in the sale. The adult version is currently reduced to £35.99 from £79.99, and the children’s version is available from age six and up, reduced to £29.99 from £55.99. They are part of the brand’s Better Cotton initiative, which aims to help cotton-growing communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment.

nyone who follows me on Instagram knows I can’t resist a matching out t with my daughter. It’s super cute and we get lots of compliments. I’m doing it as much as possible before she refuses to when she is older.● A little out of the local area, but if passing the Seraphine store on Marylebone High Street, do check out its summer sale or visit the brand online. I discovered it when I was pregnant with my daughter and it makes high quality maternity and nursing clothing like nowhere else I’ve found. I am a huge fan of the White Cotton Broderie Maternity And Nursing Dress, reduced to £49 from £79, and the matching baby dress is now £19, down from £35. The latter comes in sizes as small as three-six months, so even the tiniest family member can join in the Mini Me craze.

Natasha Maddison @pazzanatasha on Insta

diary dates, listings and ideas to make your Canary Wharf sweeter..

hot list

rumours tips and rankings

NEW STUFF

Canada Place is enjoying a bit of renaissance lately with optician Bloobloom opening the doors to its minimalist Canary Wharf store. It’s also set to welcome a new branch of Pandora as the jewellery chain expands its operation.

OUR PICKS

If you do nothing else on the Wharf this fortnight, try these

1. Be seen in all the right places and that means a trip to Mallow’s newly opened two-storey restaurant in Wood Wharf for some plant-based food – mallowlondon.com

2. Shoot some hoops on Yinka Illori’s basketball court, reopened at Bank Street Park, 10am-8pm – canarywharf.com

3. Head just a little way o the estate for a pint at The Gun overlooking the Thames – thegundocklands.com

WIN - £100 Of Chicken

Thunderbird Fried Chicken

Wharf Kitchen, Jubilee Place

Until Jul 25, free thunderbirdckn.co.uk

What would you spend £100 gift voucher for Thunderbird Fried Chicken on? Sign up for the brand’s newsletter via the QR or the one on Page 29 and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win one to spend in its Canary Wharf store, completely free of charge. A single winner will be chosen randomly on July 26. T&Cs apply

DISCOVER - Object Handling

Museum Of London Docklands West India Quay Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, free museumo ondon.org.uk

These 10.30am and 2pm Wednesday sessions o er visitors the chance to get their hands on genuine Victorian objects that would have been used to celebrate at a party. Find out what people wore, what games they played and what a bottle of Victorian zzy pop looked like. Ages 3+

LADIES CUTS FROM £75 MENS CUTS FROM £50 + AESTHETIC TREATMENTS

by Jon Massey

There’s something a little bit radical about Fish Game that sets it apart from the carefully crafted interiors and presentation of its neighbours. Dishoom has a delicately written founding myth about a rogue banker that informs its entire design. Mallow has earth colours with golden accents.

In contrast, Fish Game is the rock dropped into the serene waters of Wood Wharf. Here there’s a giant artwork of a man apparently eating credit cards with his head wrapped in cling film, tree stumps supporting glass tables, colourful fishing floats and flailing squid hanging from the ceiling and a private dining room decorated with images of Mafia bosses.

The restaurant, which recently opened its doors is the latest creation of Roberto Costa – the man behind Macellaio RC, a chain of six establishments named in honour of the Italian word for butcher plus his initials. These feature butchery as theatre and plenty of Italian produce and dishes as befits a son of Genoa.

Fish Game, however, is different again – a bamboozling, hedonistic sort of a place that nevertheless rests firmly on four pillars –bread, veg, fish and, naturally, game.

To ensure those pillars are well founded, Roberto has turned to head chef Matt Colk – who returns to E14 having previously spent eight years cooking at The Gun (a little further to the east and right on the Thames) before a brief flirtation with Soho and then Fish Game. It’s some distance from his start in hospitality.

“I began cooking when I was 14 in a little chip shop in North Lincolnshire,” he said. “I went on to do graphic design at college but my part-time job in the kitchen was much more fun.

“When I was 18 I came to London and first of all worked at Christopher’s Restaurant And Martini bar in Covent Garden before moving on to Roast in Borough Market.

“Then I worked at the RAC Club in Pall Mall, winning Worshipful Company Of Cooks’ Young Chef Of the Year in 2013 before joining The Gun in 2015.”

The approach at Fish Game, however, strikes a contrast with his previous roles. Having impressed with two dishes he

The food can all come together or separately – that’s how people enjoy eating. They can share and there’s never any rush

Matt Colk, Fish Game

served Roberto during a cook-off, he got the job and then discovered things in his new restaurant would be quite different.

“Roberto wants everything rustic, a bit more rock ‘n’ roll –everything natural,” said Matt. “He wants to change people’s idea of what food is – to try all the good bits that people normally get rid of.

“In the beginning it took time because I was making dishes the way I used to, but Roberto didn’t care for recipes or classics. Everything had to be different.

“That took a bit of time to get used to but I sought inspiration and had a few ideas.

“We’ve broken the menu down into four sections with bread, veg, seafood and meat. If you need advice the waiter or storyteller will come and advise you what to have.

“It can all come together or separately – that’s how people enjoy eating. They can share and there’s never any rush. Diners can have small plates or big plates, whatever they want, and then order more if they are still hungry.

“It’s simple food cooked well. Roberto loves the diversity of England’s produce and wants to showcase that.”

Early signs seem to indicate that’s something customers are eager to experience. While only open a short time, bookings have been strong with Matt and his team of chefs working furiously to satisfy full services.

The menu is certainly a singular creation with ingredients cooked primarily on the ash and charcoal of Fish Game’s bank of grills.

“We’re in the middle of four really good restaurants here, but I love that this isn’t a chain,” said Matt. “The feedback has been really good so far and people are getting used to the food.

“There are dishes on the menu that have taken two months to

Cost of Matt’s ox heart dish at Fish Game that spends 12 hours marinating in olive oil, garlic and chilli and comes with a carrot salad

how Wood Wharf’s latest opening, Fish Game delivers a point of difference in a gastronomic quarter

Image by Jon Massey

Fish Game head chef, Matt Colk, is cooking rustic, rock ‘n’ roll food for Roberto Costa’s restaurant

create, but the one everyone loves is something that took me five seconds to whip up.

“Roberto turned to me and said he wanted a squid dish on the menu – I asked when, and he said: ‘Now’. So I looked in the fridge, found a few ingredients and made the one that’s on there now.

“It’s charcoaled squid served with fermented chilli and fried cavolo nero – it just works. There’s a little bit of sugar and salt in there against that chilli sauce.”

Chilli is a big ingredient for Fish Game. In fact the restaurant is certainly the only place in Canary Wharf that boasts a tasting menu dedicated to the plant’s spicy fruit.

This offers diners the opportunity to taste peppers from Italian farm Vivi Piccante ranging in heat from a prickly 100,000 to 2.3million units on the Scoville Scale. For contrast, a supermarket Jalapeno is around 2,500 units.

While Matt isn’t afraid of some spice, his dishes are designed to delight rather than melt guests, often focusing on less frequently used ingredients.

“I’m proud of the ox heart, which is marinated for 12 hours in garlic and chilli plus olive oil, that we source from near Roberto’s

home in Italy,” said Matt. “Then it’s seared on the charcoal and served with a crunchy carrot salad, with red onion, salt, pepper and lemon juice.”

Other offerings include a gamey take on an Italian classic in hare arancini, a dish of smoked duck breast and duck leg, a venison tartare with bone marrow and rump of mutton with fresh mint and mustard. Game dishes range from £6.50 to £52 for a beef ribeye off the bone with bone marrow.

On the aquatic side, there are oysters (£6 for two), langoustines with samphire, mussels with venison nduja and monkfish with rosemary, lime and sea salt. Dishes range in price from £6 to £50 for a butterfly sea bream served with olive oil, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts and basil.

“If I was ordering, I’d start with the Tigella bread from Rome (£9), which is served with rabbit and offal cooked over ash and finished with parsley, fresh garlic and lemon juice,” said Matt.

“Then, of course, I’d have the squid (£9). Sometimes the people are right. They even rave about the potatoes we serve but they’re just crispy new potatoes with chilli, garlic, chives and lime.”

continued on Page 8

Food images by Zodee Media

Roman ‘Tigella’ bread comes stu ed with rabbit and o al, above, while trout on toast and sea bream are also on o er, right

from Page 7

In addition to the skill of the chef – after all Matt used to write a recipe column for Wharf Life when he was at The Gun and we don’t let just anyone do that – key to the success of a restaurant is the produce it has to work with.

Fish Game promises to regularly change its menu to fit in with what’s in season, whether that’s meat, fish or vegetables.

“It’s a little early for game season at the moment, but come August 12 we will have grouse on the menu and we also plan to feature partridge, pheasant and quail at the right time,” said Matt.

“We’ll be sourcing our game from the Windsor Park Estate, which is pretty local to us. In fact, if they turn the menu over, diners will be able to see where we get all of the fish, meat and game that we use within the UK, which is a nice touch. For Roberto it’s important that we serve things that stand out. That includes the fact we only offer two desserts – a tiramisu that’s made at the table and a lemon tart with seasonal fruit. We’ve also got an ice cream machine that we’re going to use to make a gelato with olive oil and sea salt. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s really good.

“I’ve been here two months, but as for the future I’d love to win a Michelin star and then perhaps see if we can expand to another site or two.”

So there you have it, the Wharf’s latest arrival packed with unusual produce, dishes, decor and verve.

Fish Game is, Matt tells me, currently looking for talented chefs – who wouldn’t want to chance their arm at a project that aims to stand out and get noticed?

Oh, and before I forget to mention it, as if potent art, a chilli menu and plenty of food isn’t enough, the Water Street restaurant also distinguishes itself by offering drinks served from its extensive Agave Bar.

Specialising in Tequila, Raicilla and Mezcal (with a single Sotol on the list too) this promises to add a potent note to any dinner.

And there certainly isn’t time to go into a cocktail list that’s classified by a system of chess pieces. You’ll just have to head down to Wood Wharf, bag a table and work your way through them, by which time the whole enterprise might make some kind of sense. Go to fishgamerestaurant.co.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about Fish Game in Canary Wharf

Top, rabbit croquettes with black olive, potato and thyme are served with a marjoram and lime zest mayonnaise (£8)

Above, Mussels come with venison nduja, fresh parsley and lemon juice at Fish Game (£25)

Fish Game owner Roberto Costa with Matt, the man behind his new restaurant’s singular food

Images by Zodee Media

>> FESTIVAL14 is set to take place across SIX MAIN VENUES on the Canary Wharf estate – here we’ve listed as many events as we can t in to help you plan your visit over the ve days...

venue - The Monty Find it in Montgomery Square

COMEDY CLUB

Weds - Jul 26, 7pm

Comics Abandoman (Rob Broderick), Paul Chowdhry and Stephen Bailey are set to open four nights of comedy in Canary Wharf. Expect improv from Rob in the headline slot as he transforms ideas from the audience into songs and tall tales.

COMEDY CLUB

Thurs - Jul 27, 7pm

Shaparak Khorsandi of Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week fame, headlines a bill of top female stand-ups that also features Sara Barron, Spring Day plus hosting duties from Mark Watson.

COMEDY CLUB

Fri - Jul 28, 7pm

Lou Sanders, comedian and Taskmaster series eight champ, leads the third club night with

how Festival14 is set to fill Canary Wharf with gigs, theatre, song, dance and a whole lot more over five days

by Jon Massey

Where to even start with Festival14? Having taken the decision to focus much of its summer arts and events programme into four days last year, Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has extended the 2023 iteration by a day, packing the calendar for July 26-30.

There’s so much on, we’ve had to reduce the size of our font just to get as many events listed as possible.

“We’ve really built on our programme from 2022,” said Camilla McGregor of CWG’s arts and events team. “In addition to Winter Lights in January, Festival14 is an anchor event in our season.

“It’s trying to combine all the things that we do, like outdoor

support from Axel Blake and MC Lloyd Gri th.

COMEDY CLUB Sat - Jul 29, 7pm

The nal line-up is set to be headlined by breakout talent Desiree Burch, host of Net ix’s Too Hot To Handle. Also on the bill are Mark Simmons, Je Innocent and Tatty Macleod.

COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS

Sun - Jul 30, 3pm

Suitable for those aged 6+ and their adults, this is a show featuring stand-ups doing their thing without the rude bits.

>> All evening comedy events cost £10 per person plus a booking fee. Comedy Club 4 Kids costs £10 for adults and £7 for children. Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment

>> SXWKS Takeover will also take place from 2pm on July 29, featuring poets Brother Portrait, Remi Graves, Lanaire Aderemi and Belinda Zhawi – FREE

scan here to nd the venue

theatre, classical music concerts and dance so that people can come down and experience them on a single visit or over a few days.

“The amazing thing about the format is that everything is happening on the Canary Wharf estate within walking distance.

“Someone coming down might see some Shakespeare, take part in a workshop at the Fandangoe Discoteca then see a performance in Canada Square Park.

“Most of the festival is free because it’s important to make it accessible to the local community and as wide and audience as possible.

“We are charging for some events where there is limited space but the tickets are very reasonably priced.

“In planning the programme it’s also been important for us to create an inclusive festival with continued on Page 10

Shaparak

Khorsandi

watercolour by Ed Bucknall - edjbucknall.com

from Page 9

artists and acts from a diverse cross section of society in London. Whichever genre – theatre, comedy or music, for example –everyone should be represented.”

With events and performances taking place from 11am or noon each day, there will be big name acts alongside less well-known attractions spread across six main venues.

“We’re incredibly excited to have Soul II Soul to headline Friday night in Canada Square Park because they are world famous and we’ve wanted to host them for a long time,” said Camilla.

“On the comedy side we have performers like Mark Watson, Lou Sanders and Shaparak Khorsandi at The Monty Tent in Montgomery Square. The Comedy Club will run in it for four nights with comedy for kids on the Sunday.

“Personally I’m looking forward to Big Fish, Little Fish Family Rave – a two-hour party designed for parents and kids to celebrate life with bubbles and balloons.

“Then on the main stage there are sets from Craig Charles and Norman Jay who are both household names and have been on the London circuit for years – they’re both amazing.

“Over the years our summer concerts have appealed to the community and we have a strong returning audience so for Festival14 we wanted to create a line-up suitable for our loyal fans and new audiences alike. That’s why we have chosen jazz, soul and r’n’b. For example, we will have Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra who are very well established and more contemporary sounds from Laura Misch, both on the Sunday.

“Canary Wharf has a long tradition of engaging with the local community too so we will have theatre programmed by The Space on the Isle Of Dogs and a performance from the Docklands Sinfonia in the mix too as well as artists who grew up in east London. There will be loads for kids and families to do too with the Crossrail Place Roof Garden the venue for many of these kinds of events.”

So, diaries out – the festival is only two weeks away but there’s still plenty of time to plan those must-sees. Don’t forget the street food from Karnival in Montgomery Square, daily from noon, either.

Go to canarywharf.com for more

Scan this code for the full, official Festival14 programme

venue - Canada Square

Find it in Canada Square Park

venue - Westferry Circus Roundabout

Find a tranquil garden surrounded by roads

>> Amid the hustle and bustle a secluded garden acts as a welcome escape. For FESTIVAL14, it’s a real escape. Here are the highlights..

WEDS - JUL 26

l Much Ado About Nothing

6.30pm, FREE

Enjoy Shakespeare’s classic as romantic comedy, deception and wedding bells test young lovers Hero and Claudio as well as singletons Beatrice and Benedick.

THURS - JUL 27

l Public The Musical 7pm, FREE

scan here to find the venue

>> While there are myriad attractions across the Wharf, it’s important to know what’s happening on the main stage in full to avoid missing the top acts...

WEDS - JUL 26

l Massaoke

7pm, FREE

The opening night of the festival will see Canada Square Park filled with festival-goers singing along to banging tunes from a live band. Expect big screen lyrics, air guitar and sequins.

THURS - JUL 27

l Nick Howe + ABH Beatbox 12.30pm, FREE

Expect a blend of genres from this duo plus plenty of beatboxing on the mic.

l Karina Ramage + Sam Jackson 1.25pm, FREE

Listen to acoustic renditions of popular tunes and chart classics.

l Lou Hayter 6pm, FREE

The London-based musician and DJ rose to prominence as part of the New Young Pony Club. Here she spins some tunes on the decks.

l Craig Charles 8pm, FREE

From Red Dwarf to the wheels of steel, expect a succession of special sounds from the inventor of the Trunk Of Punk on Radio 6.

FRI - JUL 28

l Sammie Jay + John Clapper 12.30pm, FREE Sax and soul from the former, beats, harmonies and guitar solos form the latter.

l John Clapper + Rufus Quickenden

1.25pm, FREE Clapper stays on, this time joined by pianist Rufus for some floor fillers.

l Krystal Roxx

6.15pm, FREE

Often to be found DJ-ing at M Restaurant, Krystal is a festival regular with a global career.

l Soul II Soul 8.30pm, FREE Sellers of 10million albums, the headliners will see everyone into the weekend with an hour-long set featuring hits from more than four decades in the business.

SAT - JUL 29

l Sully Gravity noon, FREE

This artist is inspired by the best in soul, r’n’b and gospel.

l Renato Paris

1.30pm, FREE

A Brit School graduate, this performer is a regular on the London jazz scene.

l Cherise

3.15pm, FREE

This vocalist, songwriter and musician draws on her Jamaican heritage for a sound rooted in Neo Soul.

l Wayne Snow 5pm, FREE Having grown up in Nigeria, Wayne promises a set influenced by the likes of Sade, King Sunny Ade and Marvin Gaye.

l Yazmin Lacey

6.45pm, FREE

Soul Saturday continues with this singer songwriter who is set to launch debut album Voice Notes later this year.

l Norman Jay 8.30pm, FREE

The veteran DJ and founder of the Good Times Sound System is set to headline on Saturday. Expect a truly massive night.

SUN - JUL 30

l Docklands Sinfonia Brass Ensemble

12.30pm, FREE

Expect popular classics, jazz, show and film music from this east London outfit.

l Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra

2.15pm, FREE

Big band power from some of the best in the business as the ensemble return to Canary Wharf for a set of potent standards.

l Nubiyan Twist 4pm, FREE

This nine-piece outfit promise ultra-tight jazz featuring tunes from their latest album Freedom Fables.

l Laura Misch

5.45pm, FREE

Closing out the festival, the singer, songwriter and saxophonist is set to blend ethereal sounds with visceral lyrics live on stage for your enjoyment. Expect plenty of electronic production too, from the south Londoner.

Four strangers find themselves trapped in a gender-neutral public toilet in this production created by queer-led theatre collective Stroud And Notes.

FRI - JUL 28

l Bach To Baby 11am, £10

A classical concert aimed at ages 0-5 with soothing summertime sounds to charm babies and toddlers.

SAT - JUL 29

l Big Fish, Little Fish 2.30pm, £10 (£7.50 for kids)

This family rave features banging tunes from DJ Savage Animal with confetti, bubbles and a dance floor for parents and children who like to groove together.

SUN - JUL 30

l Macbeth + Romeo & Juliet 1pm, 2pm, FREE 440 Theatre present two of the Bard’s classics with only four actors and each cut down to 40 minutes –incidentally the same time it took Puck to put a girdle about the Earth. Comic, silly and perfect for a Sunday.

scan here to find the venue

scan here to find the venue

venue - Jubilee Park

Find it between the Tube exits

>> Jubilee Park is set to be the home of informal live music for FESTIVAL14 as Busk In London takes over the space...

WEDS - JUL 26

noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm

Listen to Giulia Marelli, Conor Clarke and Michael Sebastian respectively.

THURS - JUL 27 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm

Discover Joncan Kavlakoglu, Kitty Montague and Atticus Blue.

FRI - JUL 28 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm Hear Sherika Sherard, Beth McCarthy and Freddie Joon.

SAT - JUL 29 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm, 5.15pm

See Lucy May Walker, Ali Kosé, Alex Hall Duo and Fransis.

SUN - JUL 30 noon, 1.45pm, 3.30pm, 5.15pm Groove with Alex Hall, Nick Howe, Ali Kosé and Natalie Shay.

scan here to find the venue

scan here to find the venue venue - Crossrail Place Roof Garden

Find it on top of the Elizabeth Line station

>> The foliage-rich setting will host a range of events curated by Isle Of Dogs arts centre The Space. Here are some highlights...

WEDS - JUL 26

l The Shoot Out 1pm, FREE

A high energy show where two performers use storytelling to do battle in the form of sign language.

THURS - JUL 27

l Canary Cabaret 7.30pm, FREE Bric A Brac Theatre take over the garden with turns from a variety of artists to entertain and delight.

FRI - JUL 28

venue - Wren Landing

Find it on the way to the dock from Cabot Sq

l On the Saturday and Sunday the park will also host workshops for festival-goers to make their own crown or headdress from recycled satin. There will be kids face painting too on the Sunday – all from noon.

>> All events in Jubilee Park are FREE to attend and unticketed

l Tell It To The Bees 7pm-8pm

This storytelling and live music show is inspired by encounters with the honeymaking insects. Expect a lively, thought-provoking performance that blends folklore with true life.

SAT - JUL 29

l Claytime 11am, 12.45pm

Hosted in partnership with children’s theatre Half Moon in Limehouse, this performance of creativity and clay is aimed at those aged 0-8.

SUN - JUL 30

l Dragon’s Tale 2.30pm, 4pm Another Half Moon show, this one for ages 4+. Rick’s a fan of poetry but poets are being silenced by a dragon. How can he save the village and verse from this fiery fiend?

>> FREE tickets for events curated by The Space can be booked at space.org.uk

Get on board with London’s best views

Sightseeing | Dining | Thamesjet Speedboat citycruises.com/London

Book Now Book Now

>> This site will host The Fandangoe Discoteca and there’s so much going on, there’s only room for some highlights...

EACH DAY 1pm-4pm Join The Fandangoe Kid aka Annie and Carly from The Loss Project – a group that looks to connect people in local communities through the universal experience of grief and loss – for a session of tunes and chats.

WEDS - JUL 26 l Yoga 4pm-5pm Bring your own mat if you have one for a gentle, all-abilities yoga session

THURS - JUL 27 l Dance Workshops 5pm-6pm Join Ziah Arts for a

carnival-style session of winding and grinding.

FRI - JUL 28 l Cubano Soul 5.30pm-8pm Head down for music from a live quartet to kick off the weekend.

SAT - JUL 29 l Charlie Blair 2.30pm, 3.15pm

UEL graduate and hip hop dancer Charlie leads a pair of all ages workshops.

SUN - JUL 30 l One Last Dance 4pm-4.30pm Get moving for a final half hour as the festival begins to slowly wind down.

>> All events at The Fandangoe Discoteca are FREE to attend and unticketed

Book Now

three top to cruise

by Jon Massey

City Cruises has a long tradition of hosting Londoners and tourists on the Thames, offering them the chance to see the capital and its iconic buildings from the river. The company offers myriad ways to get on the water including jazz, Elvis tribute and murder mystery voyages. Here we feature three of its top offerings.

Sightseeing City Cruises’ trips feature commentary from its boats’ captains, informing and entertaining sightseers as they travel.

Passengers can choose to sit protected from the elements in an indoor saloon or experience London and the river on an open-air top deck.

Ideal for families with kids, activity books are provided for younger customers aimed at enhancing the trip.

Boats come equipped with a fully-stocked bar for those in need of refreshment while they’re drinking in the views and landmarks passing by.

Flexible and timed tickets cost £13 per adult or £9.90 for kids aged 5-15. A 24-hour pass is £23 for adults and £15.45 for children.

Family passes cover two adults and three children for £49.

Evening River Cruise

This two-hour cruise departs from Tower Millennium Pier at 6.30pm and, if booked in July, includes an Aperol Spritz or Crodino on arrival.

Guests can expect chilled out live music and cold canapes served throughout as London slips by.

Book Monday to Wednesday in July and take advantage of City Cruise’s offer of two drinks for £12 on board. Prices start at £36

Thamesjet

Perhaps the most thrilling of all, City Cruises also offers speedboat rides through central London all the way out to Canary Wharf and the Isle Of Dogs.

After boarding at Westminster Pier, passengers in waterproof clothing (provided as standard) can expect a sedate, scenic trip past Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s and The Shard.

Then, once through Tower Bridge, there’s no speed limit anymore and it’s time for some white knuckle ‘aquabatics’ as the boat twists and turns at breakneck velocity. Just do it.

A thrill ride on the Thames costs £49 for 50 minutes of action. Go to cityexperiences.com or scan the QR codes for more information

how City Cruises offers days out on the water to take in the very best that east and central London offers

Scan this code to find out more about Thamesjet

Cost of a Thamesjet ride through central London, complete with white knuckle ‘aquabatics’ past Canary Wharf and the Isle Of Dogs

>> At the time of writing, the water temperature in Middle Dock is 17.8ºC – perfect for chilling out. Love Open Water run supervised sessions from a purpose build pontoon to help swimmers enter the eight-metre deep pool. Participants must be NOWCA members for safety and swims cost £8.50 thereafter.

>> There’s also a FREE session scheduled for July 22 to help introduce people to the sport. Participants will need a membership and to be able to swim at least 400m in a pool without stopping. Swimmers at the Canary Wharf venue, which is just south of Cabot Square, will also receive 25% off food and drink at nearby Humble Grape in Mackenzie Walk. The discount is valid for groups of up to six people provided one person has a wristband. Go to loveopenwater.co.uk for more information

how Skuna Boats offers aquatic BBQ and hot tub boats

for people to explore the water around the Wharf

by Jon Massey

Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats,” says Ratty to Mole in the Wind In The Willows.

It’s a sentiment shared by those behind Skuna Boats, based on West India Quay – providers of craft for hire that offer two very specific attractions while exploring the waters of the docks around Canary Wharf.

BBQ Boats

These circular vessels are electrically powered and can be hired for up to 10 people on a self-drive basis.

The experience lasts two hours with 100 minutes on the water and includes a BBQ, fuel, utensils and full tuition in navigating the

vessel. There are even blankets and hot water bottles available in colder weather.

Customers bring their own food to cook, while sailing round West India North Dock, and enjoying drinks from Skuna’s bar. Alternatively, a number of food packages are available from £16 per person.

The Admiral’s three-course package, for example, costs £39pp and includes burgers, grilled vegetables, marinated meats and a selection of condiments and desserts.

There’s also the option to join a shared boat for a guided tour of the dock and enjoy food cooked on board for £45pp for lunch and £49pp for dinner.

The boats are family friendly and are designed to cater for all ages, ensuring kids and adults alike have a fun, safe time cooking and dining on the water.

Hot Tub Boats - Page 23

Left, Skuna’s BBQ boats are hired for two hours with 100 minutes on the water to cook and dine

Starting price per person for Skuna’s Hot Tub Boats based on a full booking of seven

from Page 14

Hot Tub Boats

Unquestionably the water craft with greatest quay appeal, Skuna’s toasty, aquatic craft draw attention and friendly waves as they glide through the Wharf.

Able to travel further than the BBQ Boats – thanks to fold-down chimneys – crews of up to seven per boat can journey as far as South Dock at a sedate, relaxed pace.

The water, which is fresh for each sailing, is heated to 38ºC with its temperature maintained by an eco-friendly stove on board.

Private bookings including hire of the electrically propelled craft and 75 minutes on the water – start at £225 per boat. The experience is available year-round in all weathers, including the colder months to enjoy the full benefit of the warm water.

Shared guided tours can also be booked featuring a tour guide for £35pp. Full changing facilities are provided on site. Drinks can be purchased from Skuna’s bar.

l Skuna’s craft are also available for events with its operation able to cater for up to 100 guests out on the water at any one time.

Go to skunaboats.com

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PUBLIC NOTICE

LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE

Notice is hereby given that: O-Matcha Ltd has applied to the London Borough Of Tower Hamlets for the grant of a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 on 12/07/23

Address Of Premises: Deun Deun Korean Cafe, 25 Harbour Way, London, E14 9YN

Proposed licensable activities: Sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises and the playing of recorded music between the hours of 12:00-23:00, Monday-Saturday and 12:00-22:00 on Sundays.

BEAUTY SERVICES

BODY WAXING BY THE EXPERTS IN CANARY WHARF

Services Include Female Waxing - legs, bikini, eyebrow, full body, facial, pregnancy and vajacial

Male Waxing - eyebrows, chest and abs Book at perfectwaxing.uk or call 07411 068 541

be part of the Canary Wharf conversation

To advertise here call Jess Maddison on 07944 000 144 or email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com

Perfect Waxing, 37th Floor One Canada Square London, E14 5AA

The postal address of the Licensing Authority where the register is kept and the application may be inspected is: London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG.

Any person wishing to make representations on this matter shall give notice, in writing, stating the nature of such representations to: The Licensing Section, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG within 28 days of the date of the application above.

Email: licensingatowerhamlets.govuk Tel: 020 7364 5008

Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

The nal day for representations to be received is 10/08/23. Further details on how to make a valid representation are on the Licensing Authority's website www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

It is an o ence under Section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application and the maximum ne for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the o ence is up to level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited ne)

PUBLIC NOTICES

LICENSING ACT 2003

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE

NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT Italika Limited has applied to Tower Hamlets Council on 7th July 2023 for the grant of a premises licence to use the premises at Unit 38E Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5NY for the sale by retail of alcohol, on the same terms as previous licence no. 10242, all as more particularly set out in the application.

Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing to: Licensing Team, Environmental Health & Trading Standards, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BJ, (licensing@towerhamlets.gov. uk), to be received by no later than 7th August 2023 (as amended) stating the grounds for making said representation.

The register and a record of the application can be inspected on the Council’s website www.towerhamlets.gov.uk or by appointment (020 7364 5008) at the Council’s o ces during o ce hours.

It is an o ence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application for a premises licence and the maximum ne on being convicted of such an o ence is unlimited.

Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP

38a Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9EP

www.tandtp.com

LICENSING ACT 2003

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE

NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT Italika Limited has applied to Tower Hamlets Council on 7th July 2023 for the grant of a premises licence to use the premises at Kiosk & Terrace, Cs4 Kiosk, 15 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QT for the provision of recorded music and late night refreshment, and the sale by retail of alcohol, on the same terms as previous licence no. 128761, all as more particularly set out in the application.

Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing to: Licensing Team, Environmental Health & Trading Standards, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BJ, (licensing@towerhamlets.gov. uk), to be received by no later than 7th August 2023 (as amended) stating the grounds for making said representation.

The register and a record of the application can be inspected on the Council’s website www.towerhamlets.gov.uk or by appointment (020 7364 5008) at the Council’s o ces during o ce hours.

It is an o ence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application for a premises licence and the maximum ne on being convicted of such an o ence is unlimited.

Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP

38a Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9EP www.tandtp.com

LICENSING ACT 2003

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE

NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT Italika Limited has applied to Tower Hamlets Council on 7th July 2023 for the grant of a premises licence to use the premises at Unit 12, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QT for the provision of recorded music and late-night refreshment, and the sale by retail of alcohol, on the same terms as previous licence no. 29432, all as more particularly set out in the application.

Any person who wishes to make a representation in relation to this application must give notice in writing to: Licensing Team, Environmental Health & Trading Standards, Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BJ, (licensing@towerhamlets.gov. uk), to be received by no later than 7th August 2023 (as amended) stating the grounds for making said representation.

The register and a record of the application can be inspected on the Council’s website www.towerhamlets.gov.uk or by appointment (020 7364 5008) at the Council’s o ces during o ce hours. It is an o ence, under section 158 of the Licensing Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in or in connection with an application for a premises licence and the maximum ne on being convicted of such an o ence is unlimited.

Thomas & Thomas Partners LLP

38a Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9EP www.tandtp.com

Buster Keaton lms are set to be screened at Wilton’s Music Hall in August, accompanied by live music appropriate to the 1920s

Buster Keaton, right, directed and starred in all three lms that are set to be screened at Wilton’s Music Hall in August

Wapping - Limehouse - Shadwell

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? The George Tavern Shadwell

how The Lucky Dog Picturehouse is set to bring live music to the comedies of Buster Keaton in Wapping

by Jon Massey

The Lucky Dog Picturehouse is set to continue its partnership with Wilton’s Music Hall, screening silent black and white lms with live music from the period they were made. Following a run of Harold Lloyd icks (Safety Last is set to show on July 31), Buster Keaton takes centrestage in August with three movies scheduled.

First up will be 1924’s The Navigator on August 2.

GIG | The Staycations

Expect an evening of alternative rock and post punk headlined by this out t with support from Mehalah Ray and The Motor Show – presented by Can’t Draw. Aug 6, 7pm, £6.50, thegeorgetavern.london

Where? Tobacco Dock Wapping

EVENT | London Craft Beer Festival

Try more than 800 beers (all included in the price) at this festival. Tickets cover entry to the event for ve-hour afternoon or evening slots. Often sells out. Aug 11-12, from £57.50, londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk

Where? Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

after

Keaton, in the role of wealthy Rollo Jackson, who embarks on a sea voyage after his proposal of marriage is snubbed. Unwittingly he boards the wrong ship and hilarity ensues in what would come to be the comic’s biggest hit.

Next up is 1925’s Seven Chances on August 3 where Keaton plays Jimmy Shannon who will only receive his inheritance of $7million if he’s married by 7pm on his 27th birthday.

Then the three-day season is rounded o with 1926’s Battling Butler. This time Keaton plays a rich dandy

who masquerades as a champion boxer to impress the family of the woman he loves. All goes smoothly until the real ghter shows up All of the screenings start at 7.30pm and are accompanied by live music and comedy shorts alongside the main feature. Tickets range from £8 to £13. Go to wiltons.org.uk for more information

Scan this code to nd out more or to book tickets

STAGE | Kabaret Nusantara

This event promises to blend traditional Indonesian dance forms and ritual with contemporary movement, dance theatre and burlesque. Jul 27, 7.30pm, from £12.50, wiltons.org.uk

spot check

One for the chicken lovers – rooftop bar Skylight at Tobacco Dock currently o ers Swings And Wings where diners can get bottomless wings and sauces plus Corona beers for £19.99pp Thurs-Sun, 5pm-7pm skylightbars.com

Scan this code to nd out more Skylight or to book for this or one of its other o ers

want more? @wharfwhispers

From left, stills from The Navigator and Seven Chances, which will also be shown at Wilton’s

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? Craft Central Isle Of Dogs

how Docklands Sailing And Watersports Centre can help you get out on the dock

by Jon Massey

TRY | Jesmonite Casting Workshop

Join Shalaka Laxman of ByShax for this two-hour session where participants learn to create their own coasters using a water-based eco-resin. Jul 30, 2pm, £40, craftcentral.org.uk

Where?

La Nina Ca e And Mercato Isle Of Dogs

LEARN | Fresh Pasta Class

The heart of Italian food on the Island hosts a two-hour class for adults keen to learn the secrets of ravioli and tagliatelle over a glass of wine or two. Jul 30, 11am, £60, laninacookingschoolandevents.co.uk

Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | Scriptspace: Kroydon Ho, Yo Yo Yo

This live reading of a play in development features a four-way con ict over power, control, love, hate, escape and Kong. Followed by networking. Aug 6, 2pm, free, space.org.uk

still time

Move fast, but there is still time to catch several events that collectively make up The Islander Festival at Goodluck Hope. Expect a free carnival and plenty of wine and mead tastings to turn your head goodluckhope.com

Scan this code for full listings for the festival, which runs until July 29 at the Leamouth development

want more? @wharfwhispers

Anyone can come here – it’s an amazing place to go out on the water whether you’re an adult or a kid,” said Leila Moore, sailing instructor at the Docklands Sailing And Watersports Centre (DSWC) on the Isle Of Dogs.

“I grew up on the Island and was nine when I first tried out sailing, windsurfing and kayaking at the centre – I’m 22 now and I’m still here.”

Leila remains a part-time instructor at the centre while studying for a degree in ocean science and marine conservation at the University Of Plymouth.

“I love the water and I always wanted to be a marine biologist, so sailing has given me a chance to be out on the dock and ocean a lot,” she said. “I think the DSWC is something not many people expect to find in ondon and it’s a great facility.

“I really enjoyed all the watersports I tried when I was a kid, but then the weather started to get colder so I stuck with sailing, which was on the water rather than in it.

“By the following summer I was racing and I loved it. At the centre, kids have the option to become volunteers if they are doing well at the age of 14 and can start shadowing instructors on courses.

“That’s what I did, which was quite interesting as sometimes you’re teaching adults while still a teenager. At 16 I did my instructor’s course, which then gave me a job that I really enjoyed and gave me even more opportunities to be out on the water.”

Leila now works at the centre whenever her studies allow, helping children and adults discover sailing and develop their skills.

“The minimum age is eight for our sessions and we run a youth club on Monday evenings and Sunday mornings as well as sessions in the holidays and over half terms,” she said. “The kids learn how to sail from scratch –the parts of the boat and how it works. We teach them all the way from Royal Yachting Association

getting on the

Leila Moore has been going to DSWC since she was nine and remains a part-time instructor while studying at university

stage one to stage four, which covers everything from the very beginning to starting to race.

“ he RYA certificates are recog nised globally and are evidence of how much sailing a person can do. For adults we do something similar with levels one to three available, although most people only do up to level two, which is what’s generally necessary to hire

“If someone has done level one with us then we’re happy for them to go out sailing on our boats – then we have open sessions all day, every day apart from when we’re hosting private

“If someone is a member, they can go out sailing without instructors. Annual membership is £150 for adults and only £30 for children so it’s very good value. There’s also family membership for £300, which includes two adults and four children.

“Of course, anyone can come and hire a sit on kayak or a stand up paddleboard for an hour so long as they can swim.

“We get all kinds of people who come to try things out –passers by who didn’t know we were here, locals who want to get out on the water, tourists who have found us online and workers who regularly travel to this part of ondon for work.

“We believe in safety all day, every day and we always have instructors on or watching the water. Our safety boats are always rigged and ready to go so we can get from one end of the dock to the other in under a minute if we need to, although it’s very rare for kids or adults get into a situation that they can’t sort out themselves.

“Everybody wears a buoyancy aid and there are no exceptions to that rule apart from the open water swimmers who are also based here.

“The water itself is very clean – we check it regularly and I can confirm I’ve been in and out of the water since the age of nine and have managed to survive.

“For me it’s close to home, of course, but the reason I keep coming back is that the people are really lovely – it’s a great environment.

“Some of our adult racers have been coming for many years too – I was racing against them when I was a kid – it’s just such a nice place to be.

“We’re very reasonably priced and, compared to similar places nearby, we have the greatest variety of boats and offer the most sessions on the water.”

While an injury at 16 curtailed Leila’s solo career she has since moved on to sailing racing yachts as part of a team. In addition to competition and recreation, her experience with boats has also opened doors for her academically.

“As an ocean scientist, the sailing has helped me a lot,” she said. “I spent all of January and most of February on a yacht in urkey doing some research and I only got that opportunity because of my skills as a sailor.

“ he project was for people doing PhDs, but they needed somebody who could handle a boat and there have been a few things like that. A surprising number of people who study the ocean don’t have sailing skills, so it’s been really useful.”

Leila has started taking her nieces and nephews out at the centre too in the hope that they might follow in her footsteps, admitting that her siblings are not water people. However, while there are all kinds of craft piled high in its yard, DWSC is about more than the activities on the dock itself.

“We have a bar upstairs that’s usually open from pm on week days and from 1pm at weekends as well as a iki Bar downstairs, which is very exciting,” she said.

“We also have a space that can be hired for weddings and birthdays or any kind of party along with the bar.

“We do corporate events too such as team building, where companies can hire the whole site – we do activities such as dragon boat racing, which is a great thing to do with colleagues paddling together.”

Sit on kayaks and paddleboards can be hired for 1 for non mem bers and £5 for members. A full list of activities and prices can be found on the centre’s website alongside booking links.

Go to dswc.org for more information

Scan this code to nd out more about DSWC or to book

fact le watersports o ered

Among the activities on o er at DSWC are (in no particular order):

● Windsur ng

● Sailing

● Kayaking

● Canoeing

● Paddleboarding

● Dragon Boat Racing

● Swimming

● Youth Clubs

● Tiki Bar

● Hall Hire

● RYA Level Courses

● Dinghy Sailing

● Corporate Teambuilding

● Bar And Lounge

● School Sessions

● Meeting Room Hire

Go to dswc.org for full details or to book

I really enjoyed all the watersports I tried when I was a kid but then the weather started to get colder so I stuck with sailing

Leila Moore, DSWC

DSWC activities take place on Millwall Outer Dock

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

The Albany Deptford

EVENT | The Church Of Princess Cassandra

This comic play boasts “Greek tragedy energy” as it follows the exploits of a group who meet with one thing on its members’ minds – revenge. Jul 28, 7.30pm, pay what you want, thealbany.org.uk

Where?

Brunel Museum

Rotherhithe

CHILL | Cool Space

Beat the heat in the museum’s tunnel shaft which has o cially been designated as a cool space on Tuesdays and Wednesdays over the summer. From Jul 26, 10am-4pm, free, thebrunelmuseum.com

Where?

The Albany Deptford

Cost of a ticket to Hiver’s forthcoming karaoke night at its south-east London taproom £6

EVENT | Static Monsters World Championship

More than 80 of the world’s strongest athletes descend on Deptford to pump iron and lift things others simply can’t. Nine hours of physical feats. Jun 29-30, 10am, £17.50, thealbany.org.uk

try this

At £8.50 for a full plate, the sausage, mash and peas at The Job Centre in Deptford is well worth checking out. Expect a non-judgemental welcome and charitable house beer on draught jobcentredeptford.com

Scan this code to nd out more about The Job Centre in Deptford High Street

want more? @wharfwhispers

by Jon Massey

The taproom and headquarters of honey beer brand Hiver is set to host an evening of karaoke on August 4. Located in Stanworth Street beneath a railway arch, the venue promises a night of ballads and 1980s pop guided by the appropriately named MC Mike.

From 7.30pm until 10.30pm, ticketholders will be able to listen and dance as punters belt out their numbers fuelled by the local brew or its cousin Fabal lager. Apparently two mics will be available alongside a big screen for the lyrics and duets are welcome. Tickets are £6.

For those unable to make this

special event, the brand also o ers regular taproom tastings of its own products and others starting at £19.

As honey is used to sweeten its beers, Hiver also o ers a London-based beekeeping and beer tasting experience at Bee Urban in Kennington Park.

Here, for £52, tasters are taken on a two-hour guided tour of the hives including a 45-minute hands-on beekeeping session. This is followed by a tasting to gain greater understanding of the role of honey in beer making and the bees themselves.

Hiver, which was created by former Meantime brand manager back when it was an independent brewery, is celebrating its 10th birthday this year.

To that end, its taproom will

be transformed for an urban country hoedown on September 21 complete with barn dancing, craft beer, wine and cocktails. There will be live, high-energy country, bluegrass and americana music and food from nearby Ben’s Bangers at Maltby Street Market on o er. Doors open at 5pm with music from 7pm. Tickets cost £10 and straw hats, while encouraged, remain optional.

For more information about these events or other experiences o ered by Hiver, go to madeofengland.co.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about the karaoke night

events to get you

how honey beer brand Hiver has a few weeks of events scheduled as it marks its 10th birthday in Bermondsey

Left, the Hiver will be owing for events in the taproom

Right, the brewery o ers tours to meet the insects that make its key ingredient with tastings of beer and honey at Urban Bee in Kennington Park

Months The Burnt City will continue to be performed at Woolwich Works before it closes on September 24 3

Burnt

2000

by Jon Massey

>> PART TWO <<

If you’ve started reading here, welcome. There is no right or wrong way to experience this article. Just your eyes, these images and words and, perhaps, a sense of bewilderment when you reach the end at a place of your choosing. Feel free to ip over the page and end things here. Or not.

Time, it turns out, is short. Punchdrunk has announced that it will welcome its final audience for The Burnt City on September 24. Tickets for the final performance at the time of writing) were selling fast and cost £145 per person. Other shows in the remaining three months had availability from £45. VIP and premium option are also available. There are a limited number of tickets for Royal Borough Of Greenwich residents priced at £25.

Now all of that tiresome admin is out of the way, why don’t we have Felix see art One tell us what impact he hopes the show will have on those who see it?

He said: “I would like people to feel that childlike awe and wonder that you get as kid when you go and explore your grandfather’s attic. You’re told you’re not allowed, but you know that serious wonders lie up there and you brave it anyway.

“You’re by yourself, you open the door, it’s very dark and full of clutter. There’s something in the far corner and you venture over there. It’s thrilling, terrifying, exhilarating and it’s full of magic. That’s our aim.

“As adults, much of the magic has been removed from life because of our responsibilities. We’re trying to give that back to our audiences.”

Read Part Three for a bit of history and a smattering of inspiration

START READING HERE

>> PART ONE <<

This isn’t exactly a typical article structure. But then its subject matter isn’t a typical show. Since it opened in March 2022, more than 200,000 people have seen theatre company Punchdrunk’s latest offering – its first at Woolwich Works, the organisation’s permanent global home.

The Burnt City is a sprawling creation. Masked audience members are free to explore around 100,000sq ft of warehouse space, transformed for the production into an enormous, intricately detailed set in which the show’s multitude of performers appear and disappear.

Founder and artistic director of Punchdrunk, Felix Barrett said: “The show is based on the fable of the fall of Troy and the collapse of that mythical metropolis.

“It’s a future noir sci fi thriller, told across 120 rooms, which audience members are free to explore in their own time.

“It’s part haunted museum, part real world living movie and part adult adventure playground.”

Audience members wear masks immediately marking them out from the performers who go about their business without acknowledging the watchers.

“Most of our performers are contemporary dancers and there’s a big soundtrack, so it’s like you’re inside a movie,” said Felix.

“It’s a gestural, physical language, rather than the intellectual side of your brain having to process it, so it transcends language.

building a

It all starts with a building: Left, Punchdrunk’s home at Woolwich Works

“It takes at least 200 people to run a performance. There’s a big cast, a big group of front-of-house stewards, the stage management team, all the backstage departments – design, costume, lighting and sound.

“It takes a village, that’s for sure, but that’s what’s necessary to create single moments for the audience members. ifferent people in the same building will have different experiences.

The images on this page show just a glimpse of some of the 120 rooms that together form the set of The Burnt City

The whole production can be hired for corporate events

how audiences have a limited time left to see Punchdrunk’s The Burnt City – the rst in its permanent home

The

City is a future noir scithriller told across 120 rooms, which audience members are free to explore

Felix Barrett, Punchdrunk

Punchdrunk founder and artistic director Felix Barrett created the company in

“I want people to treat the show like a gallery or a museum but one where everything has come alive at night. It can have a clear story if you follow a single character but there are myriad narratives to uncover. We don’t want to prescribe a certain way to do it, and there’s no right or wrong way to watch the show.

“The reason why you enter through the bar is important, because that’s your safe space, so, if it all gets too much, you can go back, have a nice drink and watch the band.”

ea art o to fin out h ooking sooner rather than ater ou e ise

>> PART THREE <<

At The Globe theatre in Elizabethan times, if you didn’t like the show, you could throw a cabbage at the performers and leave – I thought that was empowering,” said Felix.

“I created Punchdrunk in 2000 because although I’m a theatre buff and I love it, I was a bit disillusioned with the stuff I was seeing.

“So I asked how we might give the audience control and tried to set out to create something where they were the epicentre of the work. Ideally I wanted to create something which could bring the hairs up on the back of the neck.

“What I’m interested in is trying to ip audience expectations and to give audiences a night out which they wouldn’t easily get elsewhere.

“I always want to break the rules of conventional theatre – to try to make sure that there are secrets to unlock.”

For Felix, that process is rooted in the bricks and mortar of the places Punchdrunk performs. The

company’s shows have called disused warehouses, private houses, an old school and tunnels underneath Waterloo Station home. It has made work in locations as far ung as Shanghai and New York.

“A theatre is a blank canvas, but a building is already quite detailed, so we look at all the architectural detail and how we can harness that power, accentuate it and make it stronger for the audience,” said Felix.

“First of all I walk the building, let myself be guided by it and then chalk out the safest place and the most threatening part. You’re left with a beautiful, existential tour of a space, and then we start to put a story across it, with the source material.

“Then you start to dream about the environments and the worlds. We definitely do world building before we do narrative arc – we’re closer to a video game than a play. The word ‘immersive’ came from that genre of entertainment originally.”

ea art i e for a ook into the future

>> PART FIVE <<

We’ve been nomadic for 23 years, and although we’ve got buildings we can settle into in New York and Shanghai, we’ve never had that in London, where we’re from,” said Felix.

“To have a home base is extraordinary, so I’m excited about us starting to break new ground, asking questions about the future of the theatre – how we surprise our audience so that we can create something nobody has seen before – that’s our main objective.

“We’re going to start playing with and experimenting with new projects. In a computer game, you can often take your character and go anywhere you want in a world.

“I think the future is taking that empowerment and applying it to real live shows. It took us six or seven years to get into our home in Woolwich and open our first show. Now it’s almost hard to imagine us not being in Woolwich – we absolutely love it.

“We’re hungry to make more work. This really is a new dawn for Punchdrunk”

o. here as no art our

● Go to the urntcit .com for more information or to ook tickets for one of the fina erformances

Scan this code to nd out more about The Burnt City

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? Indigo At The O2 Peninsula

GIG | API Live In London

WAYO brings top Sri Lankan artists Athula Adhikari and Athma Liyanage to The O2’s second venue for an evening of music of the “ nest quality”. Jul 30, 3pm, from £36, theo2.co.uk

Where?

Visitors’ Book Cafe Woolwich Works

GIG | Imperio Bamba + Alex Etchart & Vientos

Arsenal Of Sounds returns with a double-bill of South American music, fusing the sounds of Peru, Africa, Britain and Ireland live on stage. Aug 4, 6.30pm, from £10.50, woolwich.works

Where? Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

STAGE | Abigail’s Party

Crank up the Demis Roussos, Mike Leigh’s 1977 play is set for a south-east London revival. Watch the trauma as the nibbles and alcohol ow. Aug 2-5, times vary, £27, greenwichtheatre.org

ash back

Discover

Scan this to nd out more about the trail and to read Wharf Life’s interview with Ellen of Pigeon Loft Prints

want more? @wharfwhispers

Starting price for blood assessment at Royal Wharf Clinic in Royal Docks £80

how the Royal Wharf Clinic uses medical expertise as a starting point for its services

by Jon Massey

I‘m aware that there aesthetic clinics where people are in it to make money, but I’m involved in this field because I want to improve people’s mental and medical health,” said Dr Shaan Mahmood. The founder of Royal Wharf Clinic created the business – based in Cunningham Avenue near Pontoon Dock DLR station – with two clear aims in mind.

“I’d noticed that, because of things like social media, people are much more concerned about their image than they used to be,” he said. “I wanted to offer individuals a holistic approach to aesthetic issues but also with their wider health.

“The idea was born out of frustration at not being able to provide the care for people that I wanted through my role as an NHS doctor working in a hospital.”

Initially Dr Shaan spent time pursuing medical research, gaining a masters from the University Of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School before realising he preferred interacting with patients on a more personal level.

“I remain very interested in the science of medicine, but I like to have human contact as well,” he said. “I prefer speaking to people to get information from them. There’s a lot of data inside our heads that can’t be measured, so you have to talk to people to access it.

“That’s why I moved on to doing hospital work, graduated and then, eight months later, the Covid pandemic arrived which was very tough to start with.

“Normally, as a junior doctor, you are assured that your senior colleagues are there for you and that your job is to absorb the experience and the protocols rather than to make serious decisions.

“In the pandemic, many of the older doctors were shielding and so the juniors had to step up. That experience accelerated my development as a doctor because it taught me to quickly clarify my thought processes, made me

using the

tell them what we think they should have done. It’s always up to the client to tell us what they think the problem is. For example, they might think they dislike the size of their nose or certain skin blemishes.

“Then I will make an assessment because some people suffer from dysmorphia and see a completely different person when they look in the mirror. As a doctor, it is my responsibility to look after their health so I’m not obliged to agree with a client’s assessment if treatment is unnecessary or might be detrimental to their health.

better as a worker and a member of a team and showed me that regardless of how you feel, the work needs to be done – so you crack on and do it. It was a really tough period and the burn-out rate among colleagues was high – but it resulted in me becoming a far better doctor than I might otherwise have become in that time.

“However, it also highlighted a lot of problems in the system. I love the NHS – having healthcare that is free at the point of delivery is very important and that’s why I continue to work for it.

“But what I didn’t enjoy was saying to patients that they would get an outpatients’ appointment in two weeks and then getting a call from them two months later when that hadn’t even been scheduled. I found I couldn’t guarantee what I was saying to people.

team and showed me that regardless problems in the system. I love the NHS – having healthcare that is free at the that’s why I continue to work for it. to patients that they would get an outpatients’ who

“That’s what Royal Wharf Clinic is about. When I say to people who come here that we can do something, then we can. If someone has an issue that we can’t address ourselves, then we will know someone who can help.”

On the face of it, Royal Wharf Clinic is divided into two areas of service – medical and aesthetic. But as we talk, it becomes obvious Dr Shaan sees them as feeding into a single mission –how to help someone feel better, both physically and mentally.

make someone better. It’s for me to ask what that is and then create a strategy to help people get there.

“A client might want to feel more energetic, for example, to reduce their stress levels, lose weight or gain some muscle.

“This is something we take very seriously – because of social media we’re constantly exposed to images of others and can easily make unfavourable comparisons, which is more to do with a person’s mental health than their physical appearance.

or them to a specialist if necessary, but I’m

“Of course, we can treat people if there is a medical problem or refer them to a specialist if necessary, but I’m a big proponent of preventative blood work to identify any deficiencies in the body.

“We have created a number of bespoke tests to address common complaints – tiredness for example. Our test will screen for certain conditions and 95% of time it’s likely to be one of those that is responsible.

“Another is iron deficiency – a person’s levels will be low three or four months before they develop anaemia but they may feel fine. If we identify that early then we can improve a person’s levels to head off any prob lems. My job is really to keep people out of hospital – to be their guardian angel. People can tell me what they want and we’ll give them advice on how to get there.”

Dr Shaan’s approach when it comes to aesthetic treatments is similar, following Royal Wharf Clinic’s tagline of “beauty carefully considered”.

Wharf of “beauty carefully considered”. from doing complex surgery contribservice

Wharf

extensive range of options to improve of warts and verrucas, body hair, visible blood vessels and scars. It also offers msculpt eo treatments to help eliminate stubborn fat deposits. Go to royalwharfclinic.co.uk

“However, there are, of course, genuine deficiencies such as scarring, dry skin or areas damaged by acne that are causing misery and that we can get sorted. Then there are anti-ageing treatments. You can’t stop Father ime, but you can definitely slow him down. In addition to the medical services it offers, Royal Wharf linic boasts an extensive range of options to improve the appearance of or remove the likes of warts and verrucas, body hair, visible blood vessels and scars. It also offers msculpt eo treatments to help eliminate stubborn fat deposits. Go to royalwharfclinic.co.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about Royal Wharf Clinic’s services

equipped with a variety of consultation and treatment rooms and is currently

To that end the clinic is fully equipped with a variety of consultation and treatment rooms and is currently constructing an on-site lab to bring wait times for test results down to a minimum.

“On the medical side, we do a lot of investigations that are primarily preventative, said r Shaan. “We offer blood tests, scans and consultations about nutrition and lifestyle – such as sleep, work and stress levels – and we try to pinpoint what a person’s goals are in life for their health and wellbeing.

“It’s not up to me to decide what will

“The background knowledge I have from doing complex surgery contributes to the level of service we are able to offer clients, he said. “Overall there’s an emphasis on a more natural look in the field of aesthetics now. For example, many people prefer skin boosters rather than changing the shape of the body.

Dr Shaan Mahmood brings medical expertise to the eld of aesthetics at his clinic in Royal Wharf’s Cunningham Avenue

example, many people prefer skin boosters rather than changing the shape of the body.

“People’s reasons for seeking aesthetic treatments are deeply personal but they always stem from a perception that there’s a problem to be fixed.

aesthetic treatments are deeply personal but they always stem from a perception that there’s a problem to be

“There are two types of aesthetic treatment – preventative, such as washing and moisturising, and reactive where we’re trying to correct something. We will never look at a client and

thing. We will never look at a client and

I created Royal Wharf Clinic because I wanted to o er individuals a holistic approach to aesthetic issues but also with their wider health

Dr Shaan Mahmood, Royal Wharf Clinic

Treatment

and

what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

Silverworks Island Royal Victoria Dock

COMPETE | London Triathlon

Take on a variety of tri distances and di culties as the running, cycling and swimming contest comes back to Royal Docks. Better get training... Aug 6, times vary, from £44, challenge-london.com

Where?

Royal Victoria Dock Royal Docks

SWIM | Royal Docks Summer Splash 2023

The temporary lido is set to return to Royal Victoria Dock as a safe environment for all to cool o in during the warmer weather. There’s some sand too. Jul 31-Aug 20, 10am-6pm, free, royaldocks.london

Where? Excel Royal Victoria Dock

RACE | London E-Prix

Formula E action returns to Royal Docks as Excel once again hosts the electric vehicle motorsport’s premier contest. The track goes through the building. Jul 29-30, various times from £20, aformulae.com

ash back

This is Clive Lyttle, artistic director of Certain Blacks and the man set to deliver Ensemble Festival in Royal Docks on July 19-20 and 22-23. Expect hair hanging, hip hop dance and a pub that serves sound – all for free certainblacks.com

Scan this code to read our interview with Clive about what’s in store at Ensemble Festival 2023

want more? @wharfwhispers

Images by Jon Massey

rooms

facilities at Royal Wharf Clinic including its Styku Body Scanner suite plus its Emsculpt Neo and 3Juve laser machines

Janos Verebes-Weisz founded Leo Weisz Therapy to o er busy clients a greater degree of exibility and also to serve corporate clients to help their employees

setting, it is actually training for the ego where we can place our problems beside those of others.

“ eople start finding words for their feelings when they experience commonality in a group. These words become a common experience and language that enables group participants to express themselves much faster than they would if they were on their own.

“Being in a group can be extremely freeing – they understand that they are not alone.

“In a group there are often people at different stages. Imagine, for example, someone who is suffering with bulimic attacks and then they’re sitting with someone who already left this kind of behaviour behind after years of therapy. hen they start talking about it – why they do it, what it means for them and how they can find words that express those things. Then we start to realise these are universal experiences and that we don’t have to act out these behaviours – we can verbalise them instead.”

Leo Weisz Therapy also stands ready to help businesses with an approach that aims to offer practical, beneficial results for their employees.

“In the corporate world you often have people working under enormous pressure and they need a release,” said Janos. “We are always learning from our clients but we absolutely take a practical approach. For example, there will be elements of behavioural therapy that come up in group sessions.

“It’s a repetitive process. We talk about these developmental cycles and we identify symptoms, but it’s easy for people to regress too. hen we keep doing the work and change happens over time.

“It’s mind-blowing what can happen. I haven’t seen anyone change for the better in as little as three months – that’s because to do it, you have to reshape internal constructs, to tackle internal defence structures. People can be very fragile inside but they can be like medieval knights covered in very rigid armour that rejects closeness and exibility.

“You can’t just remove the armour, you have to work to put muscles on the arms and legs so the person can gradually take it off piece by piece. Then, underneath they will be strong enough not to collapse without it.

“I’m always very moved when that happens – people come to us and make themselves vulnerable. It’s a privilege to work with them. For more information about Leo Weisz Therapy’s services go to leoweisztherapy.co.uk

Image by Jon Massey

People can be very fragile inside but they can be like medieval knights covered in very rigid armour

Janos Verebes-Weisz, Leo Weisz Therapy

Sudoku

Take a break from that phone

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

Cryptic Quick

Down

1, 6. It’s unforced, says Portia (3,7,2,5)

2. Royal waterfowl dams the Nile? (5)

3. Egocentric digital post? (4)

4. Screwed up Swiss nose is selected (6)

5. Cuts the power and makes you unconscious (8)

6. See 1 down

11. Give the doc a pasting and publish online (10)

13. Canada or North London – it’s not a demon! (8)

14. Endure a bed confused with a boat? (7)

16. Put down weapons and insult a limb (6)

17. Sounds like a method to gauge heaviness? (5)

20. Sounds like this fruit is unattractive (4)

beating the

whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy

Repeat testing after 6 months to identify further areas for improvement

Comprehensive results report empowering you to take action to help prevent illness

IS MY OVARIAN RESERVE NORMAL FOR MY AGE?

HOW CAN I CHECK MY TESTOSTERONE LEVELS?

ARE MY HORMONES AFFECTING MY HEALTH?

Genetic testing for a range of inherited

Familial

Hypercholesterolaemia