Why a visit from Norway is a boost to Level39 Page 12
how the Forge Art Fair has found a new home at the London Lighthouse Gallery And Studio at London City Island Pages 38-39
inside issue 123
Chris Ezekiel - Bompas And Parr - Cafe Spice Namaste One Thames Quay - Poppies At The Tower Festival Of Print - Diwali - Crosswords Sudoku - Royal Albert Wharf PARTY SEASON GUIDE 2024
Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk
celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness
Fast, affordable, conveyancing services
Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk
Image shows work by Dom Holmes, an artist exhibiting at the Forge Art Fair
Training for life
Where?
Everyman Canary Wharf Crossrail Place
READ | Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
From unknown actor to the man of steel, this documentary tells the story of his remarkable life and the accident that left his body paralysed.
Nov 6, 6.45pm, £20.40, everymancinema.com
Where? London
West India Quay
EVENT | Bollywood Dance Performance Head over to West India Quay for three shows at the museum, held in celebration of Diwali. Punctuality is advised as each is only ve minutes long... Oct 31, 11.45pm, 12.45pm, 1.45pm, free, londonmuseum.org.uk
| Shola Ama
Where?
Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place
You might need somebody and, if that person is Shola Ama, then you’re in luck as the Imagine singer is set to return to Boisdale Of Canary Wharf. Nov 8, 9.30pm, from £29, boisdale.co.uk
Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project and Sophie Goddard of CWG
Welcome to issue 123 of Wharf Life. This issue is a feast of exhibitions, showcases and celebrations as we gather together the Festival Of Print, Forge Art Fair, Diwali (in multiple locations), the Bioluminescent Flower Parlour, Radical Rediscoveries and Poppies At The Tower in our pages
Still not sorted with your festive plans? Don’t worry. We’ve got you. In this issue we’re proud to showcase o ers from The Gun, Canteen, Marceline and Taskmaster: The Live Experience
GIG
Exhibition aims to highlight the importance of feminist theatre
How the Tower Of London is set to remember the fallen in November
on the radar
After an extensive refurbishment, Nicolas has reopened its doors at One Canada Square, ready to serve up ne bottles of wine, spirits and more. It remains the ideal location to pick up a special bottle, stocking a wide selection of whiskies on its shelves nicolas.com
Held in partnership with The Felix Project, Wharf Talks is set to bring High Performance Podcast hosts Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes to the 48th oor of One Canada Square to chat to broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle. Nov 13, 5.30pm, free canarywharf.com need to know
44
We sample dishes at Cafe Spice Namaste on Royal Albert Wharf
42
DJs for Diwali? It must be the extensive celebrations planned on Greenwich Peninsula for November 2. Expect a lantern parade, henna and street food...
doing the deals
get more for less on and around the Wharf
£16
Entertain the kids on October 31 as FlipOut Canary Wharf at Cabot Place prepares to host a pair of pumpkin parties at 4pm and 5pm. Dress up and get carving ipout.co.uk
£5
46 subscribe to our Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly
Check out the Festival Of Print in Mile End, with plenty to see and do
Marceline at Wood Wharf launches a new drop-in wine series on October 24, 5pm-7pm, with glasses to try for £5 each. O er details via the Canary Wharf app canarywharf.com
write me words you don’t know you need
Whispers newsletter and get our content in your
noun, fake, from Middle English
A condition where those in positions of in uence should take the utmost care to understand what they are talking about before stigmatising certain groups based on ill-founded prejudice. Maternity pay was bad enough...
verb, real, from Greek
To have a paralysing or stupefying e ect on someone. First recorded in English in 1600, this term refers to the Gorgons’ ability to turn their victims to stone with just a single glance from their petrifying eyes
The Felix Project is set to once again challenge Wharfers to climb 48 oors of the estate’s tallest building to help raise money to ght food waste and feed Londoners in need. That’s a mere 1,031 steps. Participants can register now with a fundraising target of £300 to help the charity deliver 825,000 meals to hungry people in the capital.
Ice Rink Canary Wharf is set to return to the estate this month for the festive season. Find more party ideas from Page 13
OPENING SOON
Ice Rink Canary Wharf Canada Square Park icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk
One sure sign that the festive season is almost upon us, Ice Rink Canary Wharf’s construction is well under way. The Canada Square Park facility is set to open on October 26, with slippery action available all the way through until February 23, 2025. There will be a central Christmas tree for skaters to circumnavigate, the usual disco lighting and a mirror ball for extra sparkle. Also new for this year is the Oasis Bar’s o ering, which promises warming drinks alongside alcoholic tipples.
The rink will host 13 daily sessions with tickets costing £13.95 per person for 45 minutes of action. Group discounts and other deals are available.
BOOK NOW
Victorian Santa’s Grotto London Museum Docklands londonmuseum.org.uk
Slots are already going fast for kids to catch Father Christmas at London Museum on West India Quay. It might seem early, but this is one of Docklands’ hot tickets, with £14 not only buying a moment in Santa’s ear, but also securing a gift made from traditional materials with minimal plastics. Pere Noel lives in the polar regions and is doubtless as concerned as all of us at the pollution of the planet and the melting ice caps around his home. Each 15-minute session accommodates four kids who will visit Santa in the order they arrive. Adults don’t require tickets but must accompany children. Available Nov 22-Dec 23...
virtual viewpoint by
Chris Ezekiel
Our world has become saturated by digital devices and arti cial intelligence (AI). I grew up in an era without the internet or mobile phones, let alone smartphones. Our two boys, Matthew – nearly three and a half – and Harry – just over one and a half – are growing up in a world where technology impacts all parts of their lives and will continue to do so.
We are already overwhelmed with information that is instantaneous, global and from a multitude of sources. There’s email, texts, messaging apps, social media posts – as well as phone calls and old school voicemail. No wonder we some of us no longer feel we have time to contemplate the world around us.
But we all need to take a break from digital devices and the AI that inhabits them – we know it’s good for our mental and physical health and our overall wellbeing. For me, running gives me that break. It’s the place where I try to not be connected (although my watch and phone allow me to be contactable, of course).
I try to use my running time to contemplate, and come up with ideas that I know I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’m lucky, living on the Isle Of Dogs. There are lovely runs along the Thames, around the docks, along the nearby canals and across to Greenwich.
Often, though, there’s not enough time for a run, and to simply take a stroll amid nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, gives me some space instead. While London has some amazing parks, in recent years Canary Wharf’s green areas have become very busy, and in the case of Canada Square Park, the grass area – which is great for summer picnics – has become smaller to accommodate the opening of the Oasis Bar and The Ivy In The Park restaurant (which admittedly are great places to go for the Wharf community). Fortunately, other green spaces in the area have appeared more recently. There’s Harbour Quay Gardens at Wood Wharf beside the water and, the opening of Eden Dock has seen Middle Dock transformed in partnership with The Eden Project. It’s become a waterfront oasis right outside the main exit from Canary Wharf’s Jubilee line station
Eden Dock is an ideal place to escape the online world, to unwind and relax or ponder an important decision
It’s an ideal place to escape the online world, to unwind and relax or ponder an important decision while overlooking the plants and the water. It’s also a great location to take a stroll with the family; to press the analogue button for a while.
As for our boys, I love watching them push their little trains and cars around imaginary cities, draw pictures with pencils and paper and listen to bedtime stories. Reading to them is another analogue reset for me too. We know the future is one of even more digital immersion, hence why I’m so thankful for these breaks.
Scan this code for more information about Creative Virtual or follow @creativevirtual and @chrisezekiel on X
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MAY I HELP YOU WITH YOUR LUGGAGE?
Chris Ezekiel is founder and CEO of customer engagement solutions specialist Creative Virtual based at Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square
Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual
Chris, Kristina, Matthew and Henry enjoy a stroll around Eden Dock
Starting price to purchase a bloom from Bompas And Parr’s Bioluminescent Flower Parlour in Jubilee Place £12.50
how Bompas And Parr have created a very special flower parlour in Jubilee Place
by Jon Massey
In celebration of the launch of Eden Dock, Canary Wharf Group has commissioned creative studio Bompas And Parr to create an installation at Jubilee Place. You can head over there right now and see it.
what’s it all about?
Billed as the world’s first Bioluminescent Flower Parlour, visitors are invited to step inside to see photographic work from Maggie West’s Ultraviolet series as well as plants that have been specially prepared to respond to UV light and fluoresce.
tell us more...
“Maggie’s one of my all-time heroes, photographers and artists,” said Sam Bompas, co-founder of Bompas And Parr.
“Her approach really is extraordinary. I find, with her artwork, it makes me look again at all plants, not just hers, to re-enchant the everyday.
“She was working over in London, and she came along to one of our future-food reports, which is about how we bring the future into the present – I was immediately scrabbling around for an opportunity to collaborate, and this is it.”
Her images use ultraviolet light and fluorescent ink to illuminate the process in which plants absorb water.
She photographed white flowers absorbing fluorescent ink under black lights, with her time lapse photography process revealing the hidden pathways that flowers use to sustain life.
no, about the glowing flowers? Oh, right. Well there are a selection of flowers and plants on show. Visitors get given a UV torch to help them explore the exhibition.
“At Bompas, we do have a history of making things glow,” said Sam, whose studio is best known for its work in artistic continued on Page 10
showcasing the
How Bompas And Parr have set up a glow-in-the dark flower shop in
Jubilee Place
Diwali
AT GREENWICH PENINSULA
from Page 8
edibles. “We started with glowin-the-dark jelly, but this is our first foray into glowing flowers.
“Some have a residual fluorescence, others are UV-reactive. We’ve never done this before and, as far as I can understand, it’s the world’s first glow-in-the-dark flower parlour, but, if you’re creating food and drink installations, flowers and floreography has a very important role to play, not least the table dressings.
“In Victorian times they would use paper flowers for the table dressings, because they wanted them to be completely odourless, so they would not interfere with your enjoyment and appreciation of the food.
“We have worked with flowers before – at Kew Gardens, for example, where we were making a giant golden pineapple on a boating lake.
“We’ve also make a bio-responsive garden, where flowers track people’s motions and mimic them. More recently in Melbourne, there’s a sentient forest, where you’ll recall the speaking forests of childhood, when plants know where you were and follow your footsteps and creep up on you.
“One of the things I love now is that we’re living in the science fiction world I read about and imagined in childhood.
“With this project, we’re drawing a little bit of a future, which you can come to in Canary Wharf and take home.” how did it come about?
“We’ve been long time correspondents with and enthusiasts for Canary Wharf and we’re often asking what they’ve got coming down the line – important moments to celebrate on the estate,” said Sam.
“This sits within Canary Wharf’s wider partnership with The Eden Project – focussing very heavily on greening the site and the launch of Eden Dock. Every time I visit the estate, it looks more utopian.
“I’m really impressed with how the area’s developing–becoming energetic and blossoming. Hopefully, we’re a small contribution to that.
“The inspiration for the installation was Mental Health Awareness Day earlier this month. We know looking at nature can have an impact.
“When you look at a red or yellow plant, for instance, you’re immediately uplifted
The installation features plants and flowers set up to glow or react to UV light
There’s also a shop where visitors can purchase blooms
What we really want is to give people a sense of awe and wonder when they consider nature, the cosmos and their place in it
Sam Bompas, Bompas And Parr
and feel more positive about the world.
“What we really want is to give people a sense of awe and wonder when they consider nature, the cosmos and their place in it. Then, through our installation, they can pay closer attention to that.”
where is it?
You’ll nd the Bioluminescent Flower Parlour in the back of the Wharf Farm installation, down the escalator from Obica in the West Wintergarden at Canary Wharf. when’s it on?
You’ll need to be quick, the installation is already in place and will be open from 10am2pm from today (October 16) until October 19 and then again from October 22-23.
does it cost anything?
Entry is free, however visitors may wish to purchase glow-inthe-dark blooms with prices starting at £12.50.
“You can surprise your friends, your loved ones or just yourself with owers that genuinely glow in the dark,” said Sam.
“My favourites are the tiny, freeze-stabilised roses that look almost like jewels. You can charge them up with any source of light and they glow and linger on and on. They’re hauntingly spectral.”
key details
Catch the Bioluminescent Flower Parlour from 10am-2pm until October 19 and then again from October 22-23. Entry is free and UV torches are supplied as part of the experience. Find the installation at Level -1 in Jubilee Place
Go to canarywharf.com for more information
Scan this for more about Bompas And Parr’s installtion
A glowing rose from the installation’s store
another level by
Amy French
We are delighted to welcome the return of Innovation Norway’s Tech Executive Accelerator (TEA) programme to Canary Wharf. This is the organisation’s ninth cohort to be based at Level39 since the programme began in 2013. This autumn Norwegian companies from a mix of sectors – from ntech and logistics, to AI and healthtech – are taking part, each with an objective to identify potential business and build traction in the UK.
Over the coming months 12 participating rms will embed themselves into the Level39 technology community, connecting with peers and expert advisors, determining market entry opportunities and participating in workshops and networking events. These o er educational content and an opportunity to broaden participants’ personal and professional networks in the UK.
We’ve worked with Innovation Norway for many years – it is the Norwegian government’s o cial agency for promoting innovation, business development and economic growth, operating closely with both Norwegian companies scaling globally and international rms setting up in Norway. The aim is to help them to start, grow and succeed.
Our partnership supports the growth and collaboration between the technology ecosystems of Norway and the UK. The Innovation Norway team are friends of and frequent visitors to Canary Wharf, o ering a reliable point of contact to any company also looking to their country for business.
connections from the sea
Our partnership with Innovation Norway supports the growth and collaboration between our tech ecosystems
I recently met with a few of the participating founders of the programme and understand that nding success in the UK market is not often simple when expanding out of a much smaller market, like Norway.
Amy French, Level39
In London, they welcome recommendations, warm introductions, networking and a direct approach to engage prospective customers and partners.
We hope that the combined e orts of Level39’s community and the environment of Canary Wharf – when combined with Innovation Norway’s thought leadership and its educational and business programme – will o er these participating businesses a foundation for success in the UK.
You can read more about Innovation Norway and the organisation’s latest cohort on our website at level39.co or scan the code below for a direct link.
Amy French is director at Level39 in Canary Wharf – follow @Level39CW on Insta and X and @Level39 on LinkedIn
Go to level39.co for more information about the One Canada Square-based tech community
Scan this code to nd out more about Level39’s work and the activities of its member companies and tech startups
Innovation Norway brings Norweigan companies to London to help them break into the UK market
Among our featured venues is Canteen on Greenwich Peninsula – a purpose-built market hall packed with street food vendors, craft beer and organic wines
Cost per head of The Gun’s three-course Christmas menu, available from mid November
Scan this for more about festive celebrations at
The Gun has a multitude of private dining spaces including The Cabin Room, which boasts antique tankards suspended from its ceiling. It seats up to 22 people
how The Gun on the Isle Of Dogs is all set for a festive season filled with Thames views
by Jon Massey
Unlike many venues in this ever-changing part of London, The Gun on the corner of Coldharbour on the Isle Of Dogs has been delivering hospitality beside the Thames for more than 350 years. Today, operated by London brewery Fuller’s, the pub offers a compelling blend of historic features and modern convenience.
It’s crackling fires, flagstone floors and a even a secret staircase once used by near neighbour Lord Nelson to sneak in a meeting with his beloved Emma Hamilton upstairs.
But it’s also a modern restaurant serving elevated twists on fish, steaks and pub classics. Think seaweed salted chips, black olive caramel on rump of lamb and pea and mint ravioli with preserved wild garlic.
New for the festive season will be an enclosed upgrade to its popular garden area. Fully
covered and heated for the colder months, the installation’s walls will be transparent to allow guests to enjoy views over the water in comfort.
“Inside, we’re a pub but we’re really a restaurant,” said Danny Daws, general manager at The Gun. “What the garden upgrades give us is a more fun, informal space where people can come with their friends for a few drinks if they’re not dining.
“We’ve put in a series of wooden pods that are heated and lit, meaning they can be used all
celebrating on the
As a proper pub, we’ve got open fireplaces, flagstone floors and then an elaborate food offering on top – that’s why we stand out
Danny Daws, The Gun
year round. Then we’ll have a mix of tables and benches people can sit at. We’ll also be having a pizza oven out here, so there will be hot food available too.
“Inside we’ll concentrate on what we’ve always done – the a la carte menu, the linen and the full service. Outside it’s a bit more drinks-oriented. It means The Gun now has the best of both worlds.
“The extra space also gives us the capacity to host Christmas functions for up to 200 people right on the Thames and there continued on Page 16
The Gun
from Page 14
aren’t many places in this part of London that can do that. It’s perfect for corporate gatherings or large private celebrations.”
Whatever the size of the group, The Gun will be serving its Christmas menu, alongside its regular a la carte options, from November 18.
At £59 per head, its 2024 offering includes three courses with a varied selection of seafood and meats available.
Starters include the likes of whipped chicken liver parfait with a hint of lemon verbena, chalk stream trout and n’duja fishcake and beetroot and apple tartare, boosted with mustard seeds and bronze fennel.
For mains the turkey comes as a stuffed ballotine with all the usual accompaniments, there’s also venison loin with sweet potato, salt baked celeriac and pan roasted stone bass with a brown shrimp salad to consider.
For dessert, in addition to Christmas pudding with charred orange and brandy sauce, there’s a Mont Blanc pavlova, a Black Forest yule log and a Baron Bigod mille feuille in the mix. A cheeseboard is also available for a £10 supplement.
“These are traditional options, in terms of the dishes, but we’ll be elevating them to our usual level,” said Danny.
“We’re already getting busy in December with bookings. We still have a couple of tables for Christmas Day itself, although we’re nearly fully booked.
“It’s a special day, so it needs to be a special menu and we’ll be offering five courses, with a threecourse option for children.”
For adults, the December 25 offering costs £120 per head and includes a glass of fizz and canapés on arrival. There are starters of game and pancetta galantine, cured salmon and devon crab and mascarpone ravioli followed by an intermediate course of Jerusalem artichoke tartlet.
As well as the turkey, diners can choose from the likes of beef wellington, blue cheese panna cotta or cured and torched loin of cod with mussels for mains.
While Christmas pudding is one option, there’s also a vanilla poached pear, gingerbread and custard or spiced redcurrant trifle and again an option for a supplemental cheeseboard.
“We’ll be serving a set menu for
Scan this for more about festive celebrations at The Gun
Maximum capacity for a party at The Gun on the Isle Of Dogs
The main dining room at The Gun can be configured for larger parties and celebrations
The River Room looks out over the Thames and seats up to 16 people
New Year’s Eve so diners get to see ll the firew r s n reenwich Peninsula and be a part of the cele r ti ns s i D nn his e r we re ing l te er with r fin l t les il le t s g ests c n e en ing inner while seeing the ew e r t their t le ings will also be available at 6pm and rice t r three c rses the New Year’s Eve menu incl es ishes s ch s l ster n ing r wn c c t il ee t rt re r r ste chestn t el te t st rt with ee fillet n sh rt ri st ne ss in s r n n white wine s ce r sl w r ste hlr i t ll w
Desserts incl e lrh n ch c l te elice erl en cheesec e and vanilla parfait with blood r nge e re er g t wh t we e D nn hether re l ing r ew rin s with rien s sit wn inner r rg nising hrist s rt r ew e r s cele r ti n we c n it ll n er r r
s r er we e g t en fire l ces gst ne rs and then an elaborate food ering n t th t s wh we st n t
useful stu need to know
● The Gun is o ering three festive menus this Christmas. Its set dining menu is available from November 18 and costs £59 for three courses
● It will also be serving on Christmas Day, with ve courses for £120 per person
● On New Year’s Eve bookings are available as late as 10pm so diners can enjoy the reworks from their table on the heated terrace
key details he n is l c te right n the h es n the c rner l h r r n the sle D gs
The pub is around 10 minutes’ w l r n r h r s stations and about eight minutes r l c w ll D en r il it cl ses t n n n es i night r e nes t t r n t n n s
Go to thegundocklands.com
The Gun has both a weatherproof terrace and a fully covered and heated garden to enjoy the river from during the winter months
i n
Parties who book a celebration at Canteen before November 1 will receive 25% off drinks packages on dates in December. Terms and conditions apply – contact the venue for full details
Canteen offers a wealth of foodie options including Mexican, Indian, Spanish and Asian cuisines from its six street food vendors
how Canteen at Design District on Greenwich Peninsula offers unrivalled choices
by Jon Massey
Variety is both the spice of life and a huge practical advantage when it comes to party planning. Take Canteen on Greenwich Peninsula, for example.
The venue boasts six street food traders offering dishes from across the world and that’s just the food...
tell me more about the space Canteen is housed in a purpose-built structure conceived by architect SelgasCano at the heart of Design District. It boasts a light metal framework, transparent shell, create a striking, dome-like space filled with natural light and bright yellow paintwork. Private hire options are available for groups of 20 to 300 guests. Transformed for Christmas into a “glistening festive bauble”, the space features a raised private indoor
terrace, dining space at ground level and a specially decorated patio.
where is it?
Located on Greenwich Peninsula, the venue is a couple of minutes’ walk from both North Greenwich Jubilee line station and North Greenwich Pier, offering connections via the Uber Boat By Thames Clippers river bus service.
what’s Design District?
Essentially a community of creative companies and organisations, these are housed alongside Canteen in a total of
Ready to party? Canteen has spaces for up to 300 people at Greenwich Peninsula
varied by
16 buildings designed by eight different architects in a variety of styles.
back to Canteen’s offering... Reflecting the diverse makeup of the area, the venue boasts food from Hermanos, classic Mexican street food; Juk Pou, London’s first congee and youtiao street food concept; Raastawala, north-east Indian street food based on family recipes; Pasta Rebels, fresh pasta bowls with bold, Italian flavours; Tapas Bravas, Spanish bites and delights and Choy House, a south-east Asian vendor serving made-to-order noodles. It’s a selection wide enough to cater for all tastes... and to drink?
Canteen has a central bar offering a wide range of fresh craft beers, organic wines and spirits, plus hand-shaken cocktails including festive specials. It also serves up soft drinks as well as tea and coffee for those who need warming up. continued on Page 20
SCAN THIS CODE TO MAKE A BOOKING
NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS
Nestled on the banks of the Thames, The Gun offers a rich blend of historic charm and modern comfort, making it the perfect venue for any Christmas event big or small. Our beautiful spaces include private dining rooms for intimate celebrations, riverside views and – new for this season – a stunning, heated garden marquee with its own pizza oven Book now to avoid missing out
Street food traders operate at Canteen on Greenwich Peninsula, a food hall like no other
from Page 18
there’s more?
Being part of Design District means party planners can easily access services led by the area’s tenants such as wreath-making and pottery painting.
Canteen is also close to attractions such as The O2, iFly London and Greenwich Peninsula Golf Driving Range, for those seeking to link up their festive celebrations with other activities, locally.
what about the sounds?
The venue caters for private DJs and live musicians and also boosts photobooth on site, which can be branded, allowing guests to capture lasting memories.
key details
Design District open every day, Monday-Friday, 8am-11pm, Saturdays, 10am-11pm, and Sundays, 10am-10.30pm. Food is available from noon9.30pm daily.
It’s within easy walking distance of North Greenwich station for the Jubilee line and local bus services. Greenwich Pier for the river bus and the IFS Cloud Cable Car (for access to Royal Docks) are also nearby. The journey from Canary Wharf to Canteen takes less than 10 minutes with the Tube journey lasting just two. For more information go to greenwichpeninsula.co.uk or follow @canteenfoodhall on Instagram
Scan this code for more about Christmas hires at Canteen
useful stu need to know
● Canteen can accommodate groups of up to 300 for private hire events. Groups of 20-80 can reserve spaces across its private terrace
● The venue is a few minutes walk from the Tube, the cable car over the Thames and Greenwich Pier
● Groups reserving dates in December before November 1 will get 25% o drinks. Terms and conditions apply
range of
The venue includes a raised private terrace inside, ideal for festive parties
A
drinks options are provided by Canteen’s bar
Starting price for a standard adult ticket to Taskmaster: The Live Experience. Group discounts are available
Contestants at Taskmaster:
tasks take on the
Scan this code for more about Taskmaster: The Live Experience
how Taskmaster: The Live Experience offers ideal entertainment for festive parties
by Jon Massey
Fancy something completely different this Christmas? Taskmaster:
The Live Experience recently opened its doors at Dock X in Canada
Water. Located one stop from Canary Wharf, the attraction is based on the BAFTA and National Comedy Award-winning TV show, conceived by Alex Horne who co-presents each series with comic Greg Davies.
Having run for more than 160 episodes, the format sees contestants – generally comedians – compete against each other by completing the tasks assigned to them before being judged on their efforts and awarded points.
Billed as a “ludicrous interactive experience” the live version in south-east London offers members of the public the chance to follow in the comics’ footsteps, taking on ridiculous and infuriating challenges with family, friends or
The Live Experience take on a range of challenges as they battle for the top spot The attraction includes something brand new for Taskmaster – a caravan – but what mysteries lie within its white and pale green walls?
colleagues. Featuring locations familiar from the series such as the lab, living room and shed, teams will battle for points before accepting a final challenge in the studio theatre, where one player will win the Taskmaster’s seal of approval.
give me more detail
The experience starts and ends in the Taskmaster Garden, giving guests the chance to explore what’s really in the shed, have a photo with Linda The Cow and other classic memorabilia from the world of Taskmaster
There are also hidden tasks to discover based around the brand-new Caravan.
ideal for parties
Groups of any size can be accommodated at Taskmaster: The Live Experience, which works best with players split into multiples of 14 (for lane exclusivity).
Lasting between two and three hours, players can find continued on Page 31
Discount per head for bookings of 28 or more people £15
Scan this code for more about Taskmaster: The Live Experience
The experience kicks o in the Taskmaster Garden before teams take on the challenges
Recently opened brasserie, Marceline has come up with festive set menus packed with classic French avours in Canary Wharf - P32
from Page 29 what they say voices of the press
refreshments including bar snacks at The Goose Bar in the Taskmaster Garden. Group hospitality for parties of 14 or more can be arranged, including a drinks package for £20 per person that covers a Taskmaster-themed cocktail and two beers, wines, mixed spirit drinks or soft drinks.
what else?
In addition to the experience itself, contestants will also be able to explore the Taskmaster Museum, which features props, artwork and memorabilia from all 18 series of the TV show.
There’s also a gift shop on site selling merchandise related to the experience and the show.
key details
Single adult tickets for Taskmaster: The Live Experience at Dock X start at £50, with child tickets costing £40 (ages 9+).
Group discounts are available depending on the size of booking with 14+ parties getting £10 off per person and 28+ getting a discount of £15 each.
For more information go to taskmasterliveexperience.com
LONDON’S MOST DISTINCTIVE FOOD HALL
Private hire options available for 20 to 300 guests, from office parties to celebrations with friends and family.
Get 25% off drinks packages when you book before 1 November*
*T&Cs: available in connection to private hires across
“Its true magic lies in the immersive element…that chance to step inside your TV. I can see this being a hit for Christmas parties”
Rachael Healy The I
“Fans of Taskmaster will surely savour this lovingly recreated interactive version… Recommend to anyone planning a party or puzzle-lovers’ soiree”
Brian Logan The Guardian
A range of themed cocktails, drinks and snacks are available from The Goose Bar
“Fans are well-served by Taskmaster: The Live Experience and people who don’t know the show will also be in safe hands. Genuinely great, genuinely improvised humour… Pretty ideal for work Christmas parties.”
Mark Muldoon British Comedy Guide
Quote MarcelineWharfLife when booking to claim a round of free drinks for your party this Christmas – contact the restaurant for terms and conditions
how Marceline’s events spaces and set menus are perfectly geared to festive celebrations this Christmas
and the heart of the restaurant?
by Jon Massey
Marceline feels every inch the grand brasserie.
Located on the upper floors of the more easterly floating barge off Water Street at Wood Wharf, the restaurant and bar boasts a double-height main dining room, rich with expansive mirrors and murals on its walls.
One of the most recent arrivals on the Canary Wharf estate, the venue is all geared up for party season with a multitude of options available to those organising celebrations.
tell us more
Firstly there are four spaces to consider. Arranged with flexibility in mind, each can accommodate groups in traditional seated format or be arranged for standing receptions.
more about the spaces?
The Salon is situated at the front of the venue and is ideal for corporate events or parties. Away from the main dining room, it can accommodate groups of up to 20 for drinks and canapés.
go on...
Located on the first floor, with private access from a cantilevered half-spiral staircase, The Balcony is an intimate dining area that can connect to the ambiance of the wider restaurant or be made completely private with an optional partition. It can take 25 for a sit-down meal or up to 45 standing.
The Main Dining Room is itself a versatile event space with space for up to 85 seated or 250 standing.
It boasts striking views over the water to Canary Wharf’s towers and can be used to host special occasions, business networking events and corporate dinners.
and finally?
The Mezzanine is a space that can take 60 seated and 100 standing and can be hired alongside The Balcony for celebrations of all kinds.
an even bigger bash?
Marceline offers exclusive venue hire for companies or organisations hosting larger gatherings.
Offering full access to all of the venue’s facilities, the brasserie can take a maximum of 175 guests seated or 400 for a standing reception.
what’s on the menu?
For its first festive season on the Wharf, the team at Marceline – led by chef Robert Aikens – have come up with a range of set menu options for organisers to consider when planning festive celebrations.
For £50 per head, tables can share starters of pate, warm cheese souffle and salmon rillette, select a main from a choice of steak frites, moules frites or rotisserie chicken, then indulge in communal profiteroles, sorbet and ice cream.
For those who prefer to chart their own course through a meal, the brasserie’s £65 menu offers a choice of steak tartare, souffle or shrimp cocktail to start, mains of confit duck,
Left, escargot de Bourgogne with garlic parsley butter and hazelnuts at Marceline
Fillet steak with sauce au poivre at the brasserie
Rotisserie chicken comes with a thyme,sage, rosemary and chicken jus, plus fries
The brasserie’s main bar
Marceline’s Main Dining Room has space for 85 guests seated or can host receptions for up to 250 people
bacon chop, wild mushroom vol-au-vent and trout to follow and desserts of pro teroles, chocolate with cream, creme caramel or sorbet to select from.
For a grand feast, the £85 set includes oysters, steak tartare, escargot de Bourgogne and king scallops to share as starters, a choice of llet steak, turkey, half-grilled lobster or the mushroom vol-au-vent for mains and pro teroles, apple tarte and cheeses for the table to nish.
Finally, for those following a plant-based diet, the vegan menu at £45 o ers a starter of beetroot with honey and apple, a nut roast main and poached pair for dessert.
key details
Marceline is located within easy walking distance of all Canary Wharf’s stations, o Water Street at Wood Wharf.
The brasserie is open from 8am-11pm on weekdays, from 10am-11pm on Saturdays and from 10am-9pm on Sundays.
For availability over the festive period and group bookings, email events@marceline.london with all enquiries Go to marceline.london
Scan this code to nd out more about events at Marceline
Marceline boasts a wealth of exible events spaces
plan something this year
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NOTICE
Take notice that on October 14th 2024, SMBC Bank International PLC applied to Tower Hamlets Council for a new premises licence in respect of SMBC Bank, 9 Harbour Exchange, Canary Wharf, E14 9GE.
LONDON BOROUGH OF TOWER HAMLETS LICENSING ACT 2003
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE
The application seeks to permit the following each day:
PUBLIC NOTICE
The sale by retail of alcohol from 10:00 until 24:00
Notice is given that: Daniel Bull
Late night refreshment from 23:00 until 24:00
Has applied to London Borough of Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority for a Premises Licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003
PUBLIC NOTICE – LICENSING APPLICATION LICENSING ACT 2003
These premises will not be open to the public
The premises are situated at: Canary Wharf Hospitality Ltd. Trading as: The Eleventh Hour, 18 Erebus Gardens, 1 Wards Place, London, E14 9ED
The licensable Activities And Timings Are: Licensable activities include the sale of alcohol from Monday to Sunday, 12:00 hours until 23:00 hours.
Take notice that on October 14th 2024, SMBC Bank International PLC applied to Tower Hamlets Council for a new premises licence in respect of SMBC Bank, 9 Harbour Exchange, Canary Wharf, E14 9GE
The application can be viewed at the offices of the Licensing Team, Environmental Health & Trading Standards, Tower Hamlets Council, 160 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BJ or online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Anyone who wishes to make representations regarding this application must give notice to: Licensing And Safety, Environmental Health And Trading Standards, 4th Floor Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BJ or email: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk Website: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk Tel: 020 7364 5008
The application seeks to permit the following each day:
● The sale by retail of alcohol from 10:00 until 24:00 ● Late night refreshment from 23:00 until 24:00
These premises will not be open to the public
Any person may make a representation in writing relating to this application no later than November 11th 2024 addressed to the Licensing Team above or by email to: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Representations must be received no later than 14/11/2024.
The Application Record and Register may be viewed between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday during normal o ce hours at the above address.
The application can be viewed at the o ces of the Licensing Team, Environmental Health & Trading Standards, Tower Hamlets Council, 160 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BJ or online at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Any person may make a representation in writing relating to this application no later than November 11th 2024 addressed to the Licensing Team above or by email to: licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
It is an offence, liable on conviction to an unlimited fine, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with this application.
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).
It is an o ence, liable on conviction to an unlimited ne, to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with this application.
Poppy Fields At The Tower will see the fortress’ inner walls illuminated with projections to music by David Harper
The combination of light, sound and the iconic setting enhances the emotional impact of the show
how Poppy Fields At The Tower is set to paint the fortress’ walls with images of remembrance next month
by Jon Massey
This historic venue provides a deeply evocative backdrop for our installation, allowing us to create a powerful and immersive experience that pays tribute to the s crifices e s n s i
Peter Walker, sculptor and artist at Luxmuralis.
“The combination of light, sound and the iconic setting enhances the emotional impact of the show, making it a truly unique n e r le e ent
For nine nights in November, the Tower Of London will host Poppy Fields At The Tower, a sound and light show created by Luxmuralis to commemorate those killed in the First and Second World Wars.
The installation is self-guided and features the inner walls of the fortress illuminated with historic photographs, documents and artwork with music composed by David Harper and poetry readings. As part of the experience, visitors will also be granted special access to see the Crown Jewels after-hours.
Brigadier Andrew Jackson, governor of the Tower Of London, said: “The Tower is a living fortress with a proud military history that spans the centuries.
“We hope that Poppy Fields At The Tower will provide a space r re ecti n n the s crifices those who served in the First and Second World Wars and more recently, as well as exploring our collective desire for the peaceful res l ti n c rrent c n icts around the world.
re i s e rts t c e orate the First World War at the Tower Of London in 2014 and 2018 have resonated strongly
with communities around the UK and beyond, and Historic Royal Palaces is pleased to be working with Luxmuralis to create another opportunity for collective remembrance at the Tower this e er
The fortress played important r les in th c n icts s ilit r store, barracks and prison. It’s been a base for training recruits, digging for victory in the moat, guarding Nazi prisoners of war and a place of execution for 12 s ies firing s
Heavily bombed in the Blitz, damage to some of its buildings can be seen to this day, while its military connections endure with the 35 Yeoman Warders working there all having been warrant cers r seni r n n c is si ne cers with ini of 22 years’ service in the armed forces.
In 2014, it hosted Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red, which saw 888,246 ceramic poppies placed in its moat – each representing a British or colonial serviceman killed in the First World War, marking the 100th anniversary of its outbreak.
key details
Poppy Fields At The Tower is set to run from November 8-16 at the Tower Of London. Timed tickets are available to book from 5pm-7.30pm. Tickets cost £19.50 for adults and £12.50 for children. A 10% discount is available for Historic Royal Palaces Members and military personnel. Go to hrp.org.uk for more information
Scan this code for more about Poppy Fields At The Tower
Where? Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping
| The Pirates Of Penzance
all-male version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic promises an exquisitely amusing presentation of mad times and joyous, complex lyrics. Oct 29-Nov 23, times vary, from £10.50, wiltons.org.uk
| The Greatest Robot Ever Aimed at kids aged 3-8, the tale of Glitch the robot is an ugly duckling story for the technological age. Find the parts that will help make him stand out. Nov 2, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, £8, halfmoon.org.uk TALK| Ryan Holiday
author and host of The Daily Stoic pitches up in east London promising an inspirational talk with educational insights to help attendees grow. Nov 12, 7pm, £50.19, troxy.co.uk
Where?
Half Moon Theatre Limehouse
Where? Troxy Limehouse
Peter Walker, Luxmuralis
how the Forge Art Fair has found a new home at London Lighthouse
Gallery And Studio in Leamouth
by Jon Massey
Anyone who visited the Forge Art Fair in 2023 will have felt the buzz. Founder Carolina Kollmann and her team packed Craft Central’s Westferry Road base with art, artists and people to appreciate them and their work.
The charity may be no more – with its crafters, artists and tenants ejected from the Isle Of Dogs building following its unexpected collapse, earlier this year – but, nevertheless, Carolina’s vision lives on.
That’s in no small part thanks to artist and photographer Sokari Higgwe. The founder of London Lighthouse Gallery And Studio at London City Island had visited the fair in 2023 on the advice of residents and neighbours.
So when Carolina and her co-curator Tammy Walters were looking for an alternative location to host this year’s event, he stepped in, allowing it to grow in scale and scope. The Forge Art Fair 2024 is set t ic t the gallery with a private view on November 1, before opening to the public on November 2 and 3.
“The event is curated by artists to showcase talented creatives it s ni e r le r tunity for people to immerse themselves in and understand the world of contemporary art,” said Carolina.
“My idea when creating the fair was to bring art from across the UK to east London, but also that it should be connected to the local area. As a curator, for me, quality is the most important thing.
“As an artist, someone who is always creating, I want to showcase people who are serious in what they are doing.
“Yes, the work has to be r le t it h s t e rt th t says something by an artist that can communicate properly.
“We were very lucky to have a lot of applications to show at the fair and so we had to make choices.
“Even though we are growing, I wanted to ensure the artists are all c letel i erent s there is real range for people to see.”
The Forge Art Fair is set to feature work by Kathy Miller, Venetta Nicole, Alexandra Moskalenko, Miguel Sopena, Dom Holmes, Abi Jameson, Jairo Nicola and Imogen Hogan as well as
free
Cost of entry to the Forge Art Fair 2024 at London Lighthouse Gallery
Carolina, Tammy and Sokari. The fair has also teamed up with the en n rt ri e t er the winner of its Young Artist award space to exhibit.
As a result, Nancy Singh will be showing and selling her work at the event.
While works from all the artists will vary in price, pieces will be available from £50 with the structure of the fair contributing to its r ilit with n thir rties placing charges on the artists.
Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of pieces, including Carolina’s 3D paintings and Sokari’s photography, meet the people that created the work and support creativity by purchasing art if they so choose.
“This will be an autumn art experience like no other – from traditional paintings to textiles, multi-disciplinary creations and abstract pieces – it’s perfect for art enthusiasts of all ages from the l c l re n rther fiel s i Carolina.
key details
The Forge Art Fair 2024 will run from November 2-3 at London Lighthouse Gallery And Studio in Lyell Street. Entry is free.
The gallery is located in the same building as English National Ballet at London City Island and is a short walk from Canning Town station.
There will be a private view on November 1 from 5.30pm. Those wishing to attend should subscribe for updates from the fair organisers.
Go to forgeartfair.com for more information
Scan this code to nd out more about the Forge Art Fair 2024
curating the
The fair will take place at London Lighthouse Gallery And Studio
Sokari Higgwe
Forge Art Fair founder Carolina Kollmann is also showing her own work at the event
meet the artist Sokari Higgwe
When people who are not your friends start buying your work, it’s scary,” said Sokari Higgwe, artist, photographer and gallerist. The London City Island resident spent two decades working as a database engineer for the Bank Of New York and UBS before turning a passion for his hobby into a career.
“I mostly do abstract architectural photography but also portraiture,” said Sokari. “I’ve loved both taking pictures and buildings since I was a child, so it was easy to put the two things together.
“In my pieces I want to show aspects of architecture you wouldn’t think about when you just look at a building.
“For years my day job was working in the City for UBS. Before that I was in east London, employed by the Bank Of New York, looking after 30% of electronic trading and making sure it was running smoothly – a big responsibility.
“The artist in me was always, there through my hobby. After 20 years I was getting bored and I wanted to express myself creatively.
“But, as a self-taught photographer, I always felt I was an imposter. I wasn’t con dent.
I’d joined the camera club at UBS and that was where my interest got stronger.
“Then I got a break when a gallery o ered to show my work at an exhibition in Mile End.”
Successful solo shows followed and Sokari found himself much more absorbed by his creative work than by the databases he managed. So he decided to take voluntary redundancy when it was o ered and embarked on a new chapter in his life.
“I thought this was my chance
to do photography full time,” he said. “I started looking for a gallery and a studio where I could do portraiture and create art using models and props.
“I opened the London Lighthouse Gallery three years ago, after searching for quite some time. London City Island was one of the best places to do that because of the creative community locally and especially as I moved here eight years ago.
“I really love the history of this part of town, knowing it used to be the engine of the country when the docks were operating.
“One of the reasons for opening a gallery was to help promote artists like myself who haven’t gone the conventional route. I know it was a struggle for me to get myself out there because I wasn’t a professional. The idea is to have this as a space where creatives can feel free.”
For more details go to londonlighthousestudio.com
Venetta Nicole
Dom Holmes
Nancy Singh
Sokari Higgwe is the founder of London Lighthouse Gallery And Studio at London City Island
Meeting Point by Sokari Higgwe
how London Performance Studios
is set to host an exhibition marking a crucial date in UK women’s theatre
by Jon Massey
How important it is to know whose shoulders we are standing on – to appreciate, critique, address and revisit the past – and to realise how much we lose if we don’t,” said Dr Susan Croft, associate artist at the London Performance Studios (LPS) and co-founder of Unfinished Histories, a project dedicated to preserving and celebrating alternative theatre in Britain from the 1960s to the 1990s.
You’ll forgive the lengthy description of Susan’s background. Placing her, her work and its intent in context, is both vital to understanding the point of LPS’ forthcoming exhibition, and s ewh t re ecti e the wi er project it’s part of.
That exhibition is Radical Rediscovery: Feminist Theatre in Britain 1969-1992, which is set to run at the organisation’s Penarth Centre home in South Bermondsey from November 8.
For Susan, a performance she saw as a teenager by narrowboat-based touring company Mikron at the Boxmoor Arts Centre in Hemel Hempstead, was the spark that ignited a lifelong passion for alternative theatre.
his w s i erent t the l s I’d been taken to such as Shakespeare for English A-Level, which I loved too,” she said. “It was something else – working class, about building canals with lots of songs.
h t w s first e erience but then I started to search for it. The other thing I was hunting for at the time were copies of feminist magazine Spare Rib – I’d describe myself as becoming a feminist from pretty early on.
“While I loved theatre, which was very transformative and I felt could be amazing and lifechanging, I wondered where the work by women was.
“There wasn’t a lot of it about at the tail end of the 1970s and in the early 80s. So that became my issi n t fin e inist the tre – which was a large part of the alternative theatre movement.”
As a writer, curator and archivist who has worked in the arts, academia and museums as well as independently, Susan has created an exhibition that aims to highlight women’s contribution to the dramatic arts in the UK.
The change is huge, has been hard-won and should be celebrated. But we still need more work to keep hold of the progress we have made
Dr Susan Croft, LPS
Featuring organisations such as the Women’s Theatre Group, Monstrous Regiment, Bloomers Siren, Theatre of Black Women, Munirah, Hard Corps, Blood Group and many more, it paints a rich ict re scene th t ew in the face of convention.
“Directors and playwrights were assumed to be male, most roles, especially good ones, were for men, most companies male dominated,” said Susan, whose published work includes She Also Wrote Plays from 2001 that features more than 400 women playwrights going back to the 10th century.
“In 2024 Indhu Rubasingham is at the helm of the National Theatre and women writers and directors are everywhere.
“The change is huge, has been hard-won and should be celebrated. But we still need to work to keep hold of the progress we h e e n fight t e ten parental rights, especially when funding is tight and the arts are disappearing from the state sector. e st fight r ccess t the arts for all women, as makers and as audiences.”
Taking as its starting point the first Women’s Theatre Festival, held in late 1973 at the Almost Free Theatre in Soho, the exhibition charts progress made over the years and honours the campaigns and work of an earlier generation.
Visitors can expect to discover multiple links to east and southeast London including productions at The Albany and the Half Moon Young People’s Theatre.
Alongside the exhibition will be the publication of Radical Rediscoveries – a collection of rare and unpublished scripts
Scan this code to nd out more about the exhibition
Years since the rst Women’s Theatre Festival in Britain was held at the Almost Free Theatre in Soho
Dr Susan Croft, associate artist at the London Performance Studios and curator of Radical Rediscovery: Feminist theatre In Britian 1969-1992
celebrating the
with an introduction by Susan – as well as a two-day symposium bringing women theatre-makers together on November 29 and 30.
“We’ll look at what was gained then and what has been lost – how we can hold onto our history, and learn from the past and how we can explore, share and revisit some of the amazing work that’s been achieved and set an agenda for the future,” said Susan.
Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
Where?
The Albany Deptford
The exhibition will feature a wealth of material from the Un nished Histories archive
“Creating such an exhibition is a huge challenge. It’s about the wealth and variety we can show and planting seeds in people’s imaginations – bringing material back to life for them.”
material back to life for them.”
That, in many ways, is also a distillation of the mission of FYFFI – Fifty Years Of The Fight For Inclusion – the umbrella project under which Radical Rediscoveries sits.
Over three years as part of Susan’s residency at LPS, she s ing se nfin ished Histories’ extensive archives to mark three key anniversaries in the development of alternative theatre. With the Women’s Theatre Festival in ic ing things the first Gay Theatre Festival in Britain in 1975 and the publication of Naseem Khan’s report The Arts Britain Ignores, by the Commission for Racial Equality in 1976, will follow.
The plan is to research and revisit selected performances and companies relevant to those milestones via readings, workshops, this exhibition, symposium and publication.
“These were massively signific nt ents t it s not just what happened in those years, but all that has happened from them,” said Susan.
“We need to examine what’s happening now, what’s been achieved, what’s not been achieved, so it’s about both what are the priorities these days and how we remember that earlier work.”
key details
Radical Rediscovery: Feminist Theatre in Britain 1969-1992 is set to run at the London Performance Studios from November 8 to December 1 from noon-5pm. Entry is free. The venue is located at the Penarth Centre on Penarth Street, within walking distance of South Bermondsey railway station and Surrey Quays and Canada Water for Tube and Overground connections. For more information go to londonperformancestudios.com or nfinishedhistories com show
COMEDY | History’s Most Epic Fibs: Live Join comedian, writer and podcaster Athena Kugblenu as she takes her audience on a journey to call out some of the nonsense in the history books. Nov 1, 3pm, £9.50, thealbany.org.uk
Where? The Paci c Tavern Canada Water
EVENT | Sip And Spin
Listen to the sweet sounds of spinning vinyl while sampling the venue’s cocktails (drinks must be purchased, obvs). Features DJs Mihail and Antepop. Thursdays, 6pm-11pm, free, @thepaci ctavern on Insta
COMEDY | Werewolves Of London
Where? The Pen Theatre South Bermondsey
The creators of Big Zeus Energy are back with a new show they’re developing that centres on people who transform into wolves – or possibly not... Nov 2, 7.30pm, £7.21, thepentheatre.com
ash back
How Catford Rhum Arrange provides the spirit and atmosphere behind CRA French Bar And Cafe in Deptford thanks to a secret recipe as Faziha Zed and Sam Stewart live out their south-east London dream catfordrhumarrange.co.uk
Scan this code to read our interview with Faziha and Sam and discover their passion for a rare tipple
what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see
GIG | Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
Touring in support of 18th studio album Wild God, the band’s latest show promises to do something epic live with the new material. Tickets selling fast. Nov 8-9, 6.30pm, from £55, theo2.co.uk
STAGE | Varnish
Inspired by the real life of stand-up comedian Jonathan Mayor (who stars), this new play from Janet Taylor features an explosion of songs and sequins. Nov 8-9, 1pm 8pm, £16, greenwichtheatre.org.uk
EVENT | Big Fish Little Fish
The Fireworks Factory will be the venue for this Halloween Spooktacular family rave featuring the talents of DJ Prime Cuts. No songs butchered... Nov 3, 1pm, £14 (kids £10), woolwich.works
see it
We love a free exhibition and the National Maritime Museum has put the winning images from the Astronomy Photographer Of The Year competition on show for all to enjoy. There’s no charge for entry rmg.co.uk
Scan this code to nd out more about the exhibition of winners’ images at the National Maritime Museum
how Greenwich Peninsula is set to celebrate Diwali with a programme packed with events and workshops
by Jon Massey
Greenwich Peninsula is set to celebrate Diwali next month with a day of festivities. Running from noon-9pm on November 2, the Festival Of Lights will be marked with a programme of events and workshops suitable for all ages.
“Community has always been at the heart of everything we do at Greenwich Peninsula and we have embraced the power of that community this Diwali for a celebration of South Asian culture right by the river, with contributions from our many residents, local schools and on-site artist collective, Firepit,” said Laura Flanagan, director at Greenwich Peninsula.
“The riverside lantern parade is an opportunity for everyone to come together, share their creations and celebrate the Festival Of Lights, against a backdrop of South Asian-inspired food, drinks and music.”
ith gre t e l n er throughout the day, here are the highlights to make sure you don’t miss out:
DJ Performances
Canteen Food Hall And Bar 1pm-9pm, free
Curated by Rohan Rakhit – a DJ and broadcaster on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM – the likes of D-LISH, Ri Mistry, Sarpila Sounds, DJ Mimi and Shivum Sharma will be playing sets. Expect South Asian sounds with a
The riverside lantern parade is an opportunity for everyone to come together, share their creations and celebrate the Festival Of Lights
Laura Flanagan, Greenwich Peninsula
modern twist. Dancing is actively encouraged.
Diwali Lantern Making Workshops Firepit Art Gallery 1pm, 3pm, £5 (one lantern) Artist Pragya Kumar is set to lead sessions so visitors can create paper lanterns and take part in the event’s Diwali procession from 6pm. All materials are included.
Heavenly Henna Now Gallery 2pm, £5 House Of Henna will be creating temporary body art for visitors using plant-based henna or jagua ink in celebration of the Festival Of Lights. Each session lasts 15 minutes and should be reserved ahead of the event to avoid missing out.
Akademi Dance Performances
Clod Ensemble, Design District 2pm, 4pm, free Experience two shows from this London-based company that promise to “highlight the elegance and vibrancy” of traditional South Asian dance.
Hours of Diwali celebrations are set to take place at Greenwich Peninsula 9
Temporary tattoos from the House Of Henna will be available for £5
Diwali will include a parade of lanterns across Greenwich Peninsula at 6pm, starting from Firepit Art Gallery
Dhol Drumming Canteen Courtyard
5.30pm, free
Synonymous with Bhangra, marvel at the impact of the Dugga and the Thili as the percussionists fill Design District with 45 minutes of potent beats.
Tealight - Tea And Light Ceremony Bureau Courtyard 4pm, free
Sip a freshly brewed cup of chai and discover the rich history of tea, which has played its part in Diwali for centuries.
Riverside Lantern Parade Starts at Firepit Art Gallery 6pm, free
This hour-long parade will weave its way through Design District and across the Peninsula. Participants can bring their own lanterns or create one at the workshops. Kids from Magdalene Through School and Woolwich Campus Christ Church Primary School will also be taking part.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day from street food market hall Canteen’s traders as well as South Asian stalls by Blue Taj, Preeti’s Dumplings, YaayYaay and Urban Yak. Raastawala co-founder Chef Rinku Dutt will be serving up dishes from her business’ branch at Canteen. Diwali at Greenwich Peninsula is part funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the Mayor of London, in partnership with Visit Greenwich.
All of the events and workshops are within easy walking distance of North Greenwich station, North Greenwich Pier (for Uber Boat By Thames Clippers) and the cable car across the Thames.
key details
The Diwali programme at Greenwich Peninsula runs from noon-9pm on November 2. Most activities are free, but in some cases spaces are limited and should be reserved online.
Go to greenwichpeninsula.co.uk for more information
Above and left, there will be performances by Akademi Dance and a selection of DJs
Goan prawn curry with unpolished red rice at Cafe Spice Namaste, £19
Potato cheese chaat, £9 (special)
Garlic, chilli and ginger prawn balls, £10
Cost of the signature Parsee lamb dhaansaak at Cafe Spice Namaste – the most expensive main dish on the menu
Cafe Spice Namaste presents a menu packed with flavour and value from its home in Royal Albert Wharf
by Jon Massey
While the Hitchiker’s Guide To The Galaxy has the Restaurant At The End Of The Universe, east London has Cafe Spice Namaste, the restaurant at the end of the Royal Docks. Overlooking a stretch of water that was, for a brief period, the busiest port in the world, today things are notably more serene.
Royal Albert Wharf is a calm place of an evening and there’s no armageddon in sight. Instead we nd a restaurant that’s rmly bedded into its surroundings.
The feel is welcoming and convivial. Chef Cyrus Todiwala’s agship may not have the bustle of the original, but its east London reinvention feels as warm and succinctly spiced as the Parsee Lamb Dhaansaak that Cafe cooks have been whipping up for nearly three decades in the capital.
Billed as serving street-food inspired dishes, there’s a great deal of value to be found on its menu. Small plates, priced from around £8 to the low teens precede larger curries for £20 or less with a selection of sides and sharing bowls to choose from.
Our selection is hampered somewhat by the arrival of an astonishingly well priced bottle of Sancerre for £38 (and that’s the second most expensive on the
list), but somehow we leave o our glasses just long enough to place an order.
Pastel-coloured papads are devoured in rapid fashion, jazzed up with the sweets and sours of pickles and chutneys potent enough to make you suck your cheeks in. But the starters quickly took over the performance with succulent garlic, chilli and prawn balls set in a ceramic sail-shaped dish to bathe in their ery sauce.
Lips tingling, we sunk out teeth into soft parcels of mashed and fried potato shot through with unctuous cheese o ering respite from the heat and an altogether satisfying crunch.
Better even than those richly avoured starters were the mains – a Goan prawn curry with
unpolished red rice and Parsee lamb dhaansaak – a dish billed as being on the menu for the past 27 years.
Both wore the obvious complexity of their sauces lightly, teasing and coaxing our tongues with subtle tangs and bursts of sweetness.
At around £50 per head including wine, Cafe Spice Namaste represents stunning value for money. There’s nothing remotely unpolished about the food on a menu that’s all about indulgence and big avour.
While perfectly pleasant, the service could have been a little more attentive. But with the dark waters of the dock stretching and the soft sleepy lights of Royal Albert Wharf all around, perhaps this is more a lesson for the impatient diner than a failing.
What better place to sit back, relax and let events take their course. More curry, less hurry.
key details
Cafe Spice Namaste is located at Royal Albert Wharf in the Royal Docks. The restaurant is open from 5pm-10pm on Tuesday evenings and from 1pm-10pm Wednesday to Saturday.
The closest public transport is Gallions Reach DLR station – ve minutes on foot. Go to cafespice.co.uk for more information
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Namaste
Parsee lamb dhaansaak, £20
Cafe Spice Namaste is located at Royal Albert Wharf in Royal Docks
Associate members producing work at East London Printmakers, alongside 47 keyholders at the Mile End not-for-pro t organisation 200+ celebrating the
Detail from National Blue by Paul Catherall
how East London Printmakers’ Festival Of Print is all set to showcase work by dozens of creatives at Mile End Pavilion
by Jon Massey
Mile End Art Pavilion is set to host a showcase of contemporary works by more than 100 printmakers as the Festival Of Print 2024 prepares to celebrate more than 25 years of creativity and collaboration.
The annual show from East London Printmakers (ELP) – itself based nearby in Mile End – promises an exploration of myriad printmaking techniques including woodblock, screenprint, etching, relief, monoprints and limited editions created by its associate members and artists in residence.
he e hi iti n will ic with n opening night on October 21, where printmaker Paul Catherall – known for his linocuts of architectural landmarks – has been invited as guest speaker. The show will then run until November 3, with print enthusiasts invited to discover work by both emerging artists and those who have est lishe the sel es in the fiel ELP is also set to host its Winter Open Studio event from noon-4pm on October 27. Based at premises in erfiel the rg nis ti n is n t r r fit cilit r n rtists with the i r i ing r le printmaking facilities to help them make work.
t ers en ccess r screen printing on paper and fabric, etching and relief and runs a variety of courses and residency schemes.
Visitors to its Winter Open Studio can expect to tour the spacious studio, meet the ELP team to discuss
printmaker
courses and open access sessions and try their hand at making their own colourful screenprints, drypoint, and lino cut prints. Collagraph printing demonstrations will also be available, as will bargains at ELP’s Super Seconds Print Sale. Cakes and re resh ents will e n er t
key details East London Printmakers’ Festival Of Print 2024 is set to run at Mile End Art Pavilion from October 25 until November 3. It is open daily between 11am and 6pm, except the last day, which is noon-4.30pm.
The opening night event will take place on October 24 from 6pm to 9pm. Admission to both this event and the exhibition in general is free. The Winter Open Studio event takes place at ELP near Mile End Tube and runs from noon-4pm. Go to eastlondonprintmakers.co.uk for more information
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| Live At Stratford East Suzi Ru ell tops the bill of stand-ups as the comedy night returns to east London, along with turns from Rhys James, Michael Odewale and Ania Magliano. Nov 8, 7.30pm, from £10,
Detail from
Paul Catherall’s Underpass II. Paul, pictured below, will be the guest speaker at the opening of the Festival Of Print
Sudoku
Take a break from that phone
How to play
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Notes
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cryptic sleuth or synonym solver
Cryptic Quick
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