Discover London's April events: art exhibitions, theatre premieres, cultural festivals, culinary experiences and outdoor activities all await your guests.
WEST END HIGHLIGHTS
Spirited Away
Ghibli’s Oscar-winning Spirited Away, created by legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki, is re-imagined for the stage by Olivier and Tony award-winning director of Les Misérables, John Caird. The original Japanese cast perform this extraordinary production with wildly imaginative puppets, dazzling set and costume designs and a live orchestra playing the magnificent original film score by Joe Hisaishi.Â
When: 30th April to 24th August 2024.
Where:Â London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, WC2N 4ES.
Tel: 020 7845 9300.
Web: www.spiritedawayuk.com.
Les Misérables
Les Misérables has extended its run at the West End’s Sondheim Theatre into 2025 and has confirmed its Christmas 2024 schedule. Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed productions of one of the world’s most popular musicals, includes the infamous songs ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, ‘On My Own’, ‘One Day More’ and many more.Â
When: Booking until 29th March, 2025.Â
Where: HERE at Outernet, Charing Cross Road, Soho, WC2H 8LH.
Tel: 0344 482 5151.
Carmen
Carmen declares that any man she loves should beware. However, even she is unprepared for what will happen when she decides to seduce Don José, an army corporal who initially appears uninterested in her charms. Don José soon abandons his sweetheart Micaëla and his army job for Carmen, and joins her and her smuggler friends in the mountains. But Carmen quickly wearies of Don José's possessiveness. When she turns her attentions to the dashing toreador Escamillo, Don José's jealousy erupts into violence.
When:Â 5th April to 31st May, 2024.
Where:Â The Royal Opera House, Bow Street, WC2E 9DD.
Tel: 020 7304 4000.
Web:Â www.roh.org.uk.
Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)
After becoming the talk of the town when it premiered at the Kiln Theatre in 2023, this hit muscical opened at the West End's Criterion Theatre, last night.
Dougal is a naive, impossibly upbeat Brit who has just landed in New York for his dad's second wedding. The dad he's never known. Waiting for him at the airport is Robin, the sister of the bride. A native New Yorker, she's late for work and she doesn't have time to stop and see the sights. Instant attraction? Nope. But with an extravagant wedding approaching and the Big Apple at their feet, anything could happen...
When:Â Currently booking until 14th July, 2024.
Where:Â Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly, W1J 9HR.
Tel: 033 33 202 895.
Player Kings
The talented Ian McKellen plays Falstaff in a new version of Shakespeare's Henry IV, adapted by the award-winning writer and director Robert Icke.
Hal wasn't born to be King. Only now, it seems, he will be. His father longs for him to leave behind his friends in the taverns of Eastcheap, most notably the infamous John Falstaff. War is on the horizon. But will Hal ever come good?
Bringing together Shakespeare's two great history plays (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2) into the theatrical event of the season, Player Kings will reign over the West End for 12 weeks only.
When: Booking until 22nd June, 2024.
Where: Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin's Lane, WC2N 4AU.
Tel: 0344 482 5151.
HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Apsley House
Visit the home of the Duke of Wellington to see its fine art and interiors. Later this month, visitors can meet the experts and enjoy insightful talks from Apsley’s curators and conservators.
Explore this beautiful Georgian building, once known as ‘Number 1 London’, and learn about the formation of the collection, its care and conservation.
When:Â 11am-4pm Friday, 19th April, 2024.
Where:Â Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7NT.
Tel:Â 020 7499 5676.
Old Royal Naval College
Sir Christopher Wren’s riverside masterpiece is hosting numerous events this month, including yoga sessions, children's activities and Secret Dome Tours, where groups of only six people per session, can see and hear about the creation of the building and its turret clock.
When: 26th April - Yoga sessions; 1st, 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th & 27th April - Secret Dome Tours; to 14th April - Easter Time Travel Trail: Learn about Easter festivities throughout history; to November 3rd - Chocolate House Greenwich: Step back in time to the 18th century to discover the history and appeal of chocolate.
Where: King William Walk, SE10 9NN.
Tel: 020 8269 4799.
Web: https://ornc.org.
ZSL London Zoo
The world’s oldest scientific zoo, which is home to more than 750 species, has special events on for younger visitors over Easter. Grab a free family trail and celebrate the egg-laying creatures at the zoo, including reptiles, birds, fish and butterflies, on an Easter egg hunt. Booking is required. Visitors should also visit gorilla Mjukuunew’s new baby, who was born in the zoo a few months ago and The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians; a new area which houses 26 species and brings to life eight different habitats, from the forests of South America to Asia’s mountain jungles.
When: to 14th April, 2024.
Where:Â Regent's Park, NW1 4RY.
Tel: 020 7722 3333.
Web: www.londonzoo.org.
EXHIBITIONS & FESTIVALS
The British Library
The world’s largest library hosts numerous talks, events, exhibitions and festivals. And during April, it is hosting something for everyone, from celebrating 500 years of black British music to marking Byron's bicentenary.
When: 13th to 14th April - HisFest, a history festival with talks, discussions, performances and music; 17th April - The Byronic All-Dayer: a celebratory gathering of writers and performers to mark poet Byron’s bicentenary, 26th April to 26th August - Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music.
Where: Euston Road, NW1 2DB.
Web: www.bl.uk.
Somerset House
This beautiful Neoclassical complex was built on the site of a Tudor palace and is now home to a vibrant arts community. This month it is home to Cute, a major exhibition exploring the force of cuteness in contemporary culture; Zheng Bo: Bamboo as Method, a large new commission in the courtyard and Now Play This 2024, the UK's leading experimental games festival.
When: 14th April: Cute; to 28th April: Zheng Bo: Bamboo as Method; 6th to 14th April: Now Play This 2024.
Where: Strand, WC2R 1LA.
Web: www.somersethouse.org.uk.
St Martin-In-The-FieldsÂ
This glorious Palladian church off Trafalgar Square, sees the opening of Marriner 100 Exhibition - a new display to mark the centenary of the birth of Sir Neville Marriner, the world-famous classical musician.
When:Â 15th April to 12th May.
Where: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ.
Tel: 020 7766 1100.
St Paul's Cathedral
It's 300 years since the death of Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723), the revolutionary scientist, mathematician and architect who was responsible for building the St Paul’s Cathedral we know and love today.Â
To commemorate his remarkable life, an exhibition, Sir Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge will explore and reflect on the early life and career of Wren. It will chart his lesser-known achievements in mathematics, astronomy and physiology, as well as the design and building of his greatest monument, St Paul’s Cathedral.Â
When: 27th April.
Where: St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD.
Web: Â www.stpauls.co.uk.
Tel: 020 7246 8350.
CELEBRATIONS & SPORTING EVENTS
Eid In The Square
Celebrate the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, with live performances, family activities and food.
When: 20th April, 12pm-6pm.
Where: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN.
Web: www.london.gov.uk.
St George's Day
Celebrate England’s patron saint with family activities, roaming entertainers, quests and an English street food market.
When: 21st April, 12pm-6pm.
Where: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN.
Web: www.london. gov.uk.
London Marathon
Guests can soak up the atmosphere and cheer on the runners at the world-famous London Marathon. This 26-mile running race starts in Greenwich and ends in The Mall.
When: 21st April, from 9.30am.
Where: Central London.
Web: www.tcslondonmarathon.com.Â
Guinness Women's Six Nations Rugby
Twickenham will host a colossal Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture, as the world’s number one team, the Red Roses, take on Ireland. This is the last of only two home fixtures for England in the tournament, so it’s a rare chance to get down to the home of rugby and see some of the best players on the globe take to the pitch. There’s amazing entertainment lined up from the one and only Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who will take to the stage at half-time to perform some chart-topping fan favourites.
When: 20th April; kick-off at 2.15pm.
Where: Twickenham, TW2 7BA.
Web: www.eticketing.co.uk.
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