What we're reading
- The blue whale skeleton will finally be unveiled at the Natural History Museum on 14 July.
- A blue plaque dedicated to Charlie Chaplin has been unveiled at his Brixton home.
- 1,500 new rental homes will be built in south-east London by the Duke of Westminster's property group.
- Prince Harry visited Borough Market as it reopened for business.
Things to do
FASHIONABLE ART: A new fashion extravaganza will offer enthusiasts a new way to shop in a specially-curated gallery. Walk through the exhibits, browse the collections set up like works of art, and pick your must-have items. The Glades Shopping Centre (Bromley), free, just turn up, 9am-7pm
ORIGAMI GARDEN: A vibrant collection of exotic, oriental-inspired paper flowers provides a sanctuary from the outside world in Galeria Melissa. Visitors are greeted by a large suspended Lotus sculpture and led into a garden oasis of paper creations. Galeria Melissa (Covent Garden), free, just turn up, 10am-7pm
BEATLE-MANIA: For handwritten lyrics, personal photographs and the words of the man himself, visit pop-up exhibition I Me Mine to celebrate the life of George Harrison, best known as one quarter of the Beatles, and the extended edition of his biography. Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, free, just turn up, 11am-7pm
GELATO FESTIVAL: Summer is packing a real punch this week. With temperatures soaring, cool down at the Gelato Festival with intriguing creations such as brown bread & butter and bakewell tart. Old Spitalfields Market, £15, book ahead, 12pm-7pm
MOVING WOOLWICH: Feel like doing a dance because it's the end of the week? Head to Woolwich and join others who feel the same way with group dance workshops, a youth performance choreographed by professionals, and dance films displayed on the big screen. General Gordon Square, free, just turn up, 1pm-6pm
CANDY CRUSH: If you've ever played Candy Crush and found it super addictive, then you're going to love this adults-only pop-up board game café. Hitting Soho for two days only, it features super-sized board games, Candy Crush themed cocktails and cakes, striped candy and popping treats. 19 Greek Street, free, 4pm-11pm
ZOO NIGHTS: At time of writing, there are a few tickets left to tonight's Zoo Nights. ZSL London Zoo stays open late for adults-only. It's a chance to see the animals at a different hour of the day, as well as taking part in activities such as Zooniversity Challenge, and tucking into food from the on-site street food market (we can recommend the hot dogs). ZSL London Zoo (Regent's Park), £17.50, book ahead, 6pm-10pm
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Follow the journey of fabulous London food at the Ritzy Picturehouse. This collection of short documentaries will surely whet your appetite for the Q&A with the filmmakers that follows. Nibbles will also be on hand, of course. Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton, £5, book ahead, 7pm
BEHIND BARS: Bad Girls is a British musical set in the fictional Her Majesty's Prison Larkhall, and based on characters from the TV drama. New idealistic Wing Governor Helen Stewart locks horns with the stalwart old guard of Officer Jim Fenner while falling in love with charismatic inmate Nikki Wade. Pleasance Theatre, Islington, £15/£12, book ahead, 7.30pm
TREASURE HUNT: Take a theatrical literary journey through London by navigating your way through the misunderstandings and mishaps of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream. Starting in a secret Clapham location, you and your team will follow the trails and deliver the wedding invitations, picking up clues and characters along the way. Clapham Omnibus, £18, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
JUDGEMENT DAY: A hijacked plane is heading towards a packed football stadium. Ignoring orders to the contrary a fighter pilot shoots the plane down killing 164 people to save 70,000. Cast your judgement at this interactive play of thrills and intrigue as the fate of the pilot rests in the hands of the audience. Lyric Hammersmith theatre, £15-£35, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Art review: lights & numbers
Three renowned American sculptors combine in this Mayfair exhibition. The bright neon works of Dan Flavin light up the oversized numbers of Robert Indiana. Add in the contraptions composed of scrap by John Chamberlain and we have one heavyweight show. Found in America: Chamberlain, Flavin, Indiana at Waddington Custot, 11 Cork Street, W1S 3LT, free. Until 1 July ★★★★☆ (Monday-Saturday) Tabish Khan
Theatre review: Tommy presses the right buzzers
This touring revival of the musical Tommy, based on The Who’s 1969 album of the same name, is about a traumatised deaf, dumb and blind kid who grows up to be a pinball wizard and becomes a cult hero — and it pulls out all the stops. It may deal with sexual abuse, bullying, loneliness and grief, but ultimately there's a positive message about self-empowerment. Kerry Michael’s dynamically choreographed production has an updated prologue about disability benefit cuts, is performed by both disabled and non-disabled actors, and uses sign language, captioning and audio description in an inclusive show that really breaks down barriers. On a giant pinball machine set, backed by multiple projections, a diverse cast of 22 is led superbly by deaf actor William Grint in a triumph of genuine collaboration. Tommy, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN £12‒26. Until 17 June ★★★★☆ [Monday‒Saturday] Neil Dowden
Good cause of the day: pretty muddy race for life
Get down and dirty with a 5k muddy obstacle course scrambling over the A-frame and crawling through the mud pit on 8 July at this Race For Life 5k course at Wormwood Scrubs, White City. Invite your friends and family along to support you so they can cheer you across the finish line — and maybe hand you a towel.
