Things to do
CHAPLIN AND LAUREL: As part of London International Mime Festival, theatre company Told By An Idiot brings The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel to London. The comedy tells the (fictional) story of Charlie and Stan sharing a cabin on a voyage to New York, and then two years together touring North America before going their separate ways. Wilton's (Limehouse), £10.50-£28, book ahead, 14-18 January
ARTEFACT HANDLING: Fulham Palace invites the public in to get up close and personal with some of the historical artefacts in its collection. Have a look at items ranging from Roman archaeology to postcards, with an expert on hand to tell the objects' stories. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-12pm
UNSUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION: Environment Professor Jacqueline McGlade looks at the problem we have with consumer addiction, and how we can end it. Hear about how we can change our habits to become more sustainable, and find out how patterns of consumption vary in different communities across the world. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
CLIMATE CHANGE: It's no secret that the coral reefs are in danger, but what can be done to protect them from bleaching and other effects of climate change? Hear a panel of experts discuss the new technologies that can be used to conserve them. Speakers include representatives from ZSL, Horniman Museum and Natural History Museum. ZSL (Regent's Park), free, just turn up, 6pm-7.45pm
REMEMBERING GHOSTBUSTERS: Cleanin' Up The Town: Remembering Ghostbusters is a look back at the success of 1984 film Ghostbusters, and how it was made. Find out about the casting process, and the advanced visual effects used to create the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. This screening is followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 6.30pm
IN MOTION: As part of London Short Film Festival, catch a programme of new short films on the theme In Motion. Watch six films, each under 25 minutes long, portraying journeys of some kind, including Treacle, the story of two friends going on a road trip through California to get over a break-up. Curzon Soho, £16.90, book ahead, 6.45pm
GOTHIC REBEL: Hear a panel of experts discuss Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, and the way in which the author defies the conventions of its genre. Gothic author Sara Collins and Victorian literature expert Sally Shuttleworth are among the panelists. British Library, £13, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
BEING AN INVENTOR: What does it take to be an inventor? Jim Al-Khalili from BBC Radio 4's The Life Scientific chats to Ailie MacAdam, senior vice president of Bechtel Corporation and expert in rail, aviation, communications, power, roads, and tunnelling, and Dr Caroline Hargrove, an expert in simulation of human-machine interaction. They discuss the secrets of their success, and how their inventions are changing the world. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
POPBITCH POPQUIZ: New year, same old Popbitch. The celebrity gossip newsletter's regular quiz returns, with rounds on trivia, music and even guesswork — so no need to swot up on the most recent newsletters to be in with a chance of winning. Smiths of Smithfield, £5.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
COMEDY TUESDAYS: Laugh Train Home brings established and up-and-coming comedians to south London every week. This time, see Jen Brister and Ian Smith in action, over a pint or two. The Honor Oak, £8, book ahead, 8.30pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
I do admire a good whiteboard doodle, like this one I found at the Waterloo entrance to the Waterloo & City line last week. I'm not sure the grammar pedant in me will allow something to be the "most real", but it's impossible not to be heartened by the sentiment, nor impressed at the sketch.
Follow Barry on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Royal Parks is looking for volunteers to help plant bulbs and get Hyde Park ready for spring. Anyone over the age of 16 can take part — though be aware that it involved some bending and kneeling. Find out more and sign up.
What we're reading
- More than five million passengers travelled through City Airport in 2019.
- Homophobic hate crimes increase in London.
- 120 year old pie and mash shop closes.
- Probably quicker to walk at this stage.
