It’s Easter, and many people will be at home with their families. But when the spring lamb is eaten and the chocolate has palled, here are some alluring things to do around Wimbledon and beyond.
Film
Sook-Hee is a pickpocket in 1930s Korea, who is assigned by her boss to help him seduce and steal the money of Lady Hideko, a fabulously wealthy heiress.The Handmaiden, an 18-rated, critically acclaimed foreign language period drama, opens at Odeon Wimbledon on Friday, April 14.
Museums
When seductress Emma Hamilton bagged Horatio Nelson as her lover, shockwaves of excitement and jealousy rolled through London – think Zoella and Archie, or Victoria and David, for modern day celebrity couples. This weekend is your last chance to catch the National Maritime Museum’s excellent [Guardian five stars] exhibition about the great femme fatale. Emma Hamilton: Seduction and Celebrity is at the NMM in Greenwich, 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm). £12.60.
Art
Also in Greenwich, the Old Royal Naval College is offering a vertigo-inspiring, “once-in-a-lifetime” [Time Out] Painted Ceiling Tour, getting a unique close up of some of Britain’s lushest and most sensual baroque art 60ft above the ground. 60 minutes, Adults £10, children £5. Best booked in advance.
Pop in to the stable courtyard at Morden Hall Park for Warp and Weft, a free exhibition celebrating the textile industries along the river Wandle, with artworks by people living with disabilities. Ends this weekend.
Dance & Theatre
The Red Shoes has seduced audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Matthew Bourne’s award-winning production is at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday, April 15.
At Kingston’s Rose Theatre catch the fantastic production of The Twits until Sunday, 1.30pm and 5.30pm; read my preview here and book here.
Book now for a brand new musical by the writer of This Is England, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child – Junkyard by the multi-talented Jack Thorne opens at the Rose Theatre on Wednesday. Watch out for my interview with Jack Thorne early next week.
Out & About
Nearly 30 classic sailing ships are moored off Greenwich and Woolwich this weekend for the Rendez-Vous 2017: Tall Ships Regatta. Festival opening is tonight, Thursday April 13, in Woolwich, with live music at 7.45pm and Hydromania son et lumiere at 8.30pm; there’s a fireworks spectacular on Saturday at 9.45pm at the Royal Arsenal quayside, Woolwich. The ships depart with a parade of sail at 5pm on Sunday, April 16. Check out the busy events programme with street theatre, free ship tours all weekend.
More than 30 animatronic dinosaurs are menacing Isleworth. The outdoor exhibition Jurassic Kingdom closes on Monday, April 17, so this is your last chance to see them. Book online to save 10%. Adults £13.50, children 3-16 £11.50.
Don’t forget the Cadbury’s Egg Hunt at Morden Hall Park and other National Trust properties 10am – 4pm over the Easter weekend, April 14-17. Follow clues and earn a chocolate treat!
Got an event you’d like us to publicise? Email: whatson@ladywimbledon.com
By ‘Culture Vulture’ Jenny Booth
Twitter: @culturevult
Facebook: @culturevult
Visit: mediastarsite.wordpress.com
About The Author
Jenny Booth
Jenny was a news journalist for The Times. An ex-teacher, mum, gardener and art lover, there’s nothing she doesn’t know about the local culture scene…