What’s on this week

Wimbledon Bookfest: Sunset Festival

Wimbledon Bookfest will hold the Sunset Festival from September 15 to 19 on Wimbledon Common, with a host of big names including John Cooper Clarke, Miriam Margolyes and Robert Peston.

The bookfest showcases new local talent alongside high-profile writers, artists and speakers.

The five-day event is hosting more than 40 talks, workshops and activities for public audiences and schools.

There is a particular focus on memoir and life-writing, alongside fiction, poetry, current affairs, history, science, performing arts, and the return of the popular sport night.

John Cooper Clarke will look back over an extraordinary career in his memoir, I Wanna Be Yours.

BAFTA-winning veteran of stage and screen Miriam Margolyes, 80, will present her autobiography.

Award-winning TV and radio presenter Anita Rani will share her personal story of growing up in Yorkshire and navigating multiple identities in The Right Sort of Girl.

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Rick Stein is inviting audiences to share his favourite home-cooked recipes in his latest release, Rick Stein at Home.

For politics fans, the festival is holding events with journalists and politicians.

Labour MP Jess Phillips will talk about the House of Commons in her book, Everything You Really Need to Know About Politics.

Political journalist Robert Peston and former Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson will go behind the scenes at Westminster, and former Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and journalist Ian Williams will discuss the role of China as a global superpower.

For fans of music, virtuoso cellist Steven Isserlis will discuss Bach’s much-loved Cello Suites in an event for classical music fans and Russian ballet dancer Sergei Polunin will talk about his career as the Royal Ballet’s youngest ever principal dancer.

September 15 to 19
Wimbledon Common

Mo(nu)ments by Cameron Ugbodu

A new photography exhibition by Nigerian-Austrian artist Cameron Ugbodu is opening, featuring the artists’ first solo works.

The show will unveil six larger than life portraits that take inspiration from West African sculptural traditions including the Benin Bronzes, Akan gold weights and traditional wooden and organic material sculpture.

The 21-year-old artist, who grew up in Austria, became familiar with these traditions when his grandfather shipped several pieces over from Nigeria as wedding gifts.

With the belief that these sculptural traditions belong in the public realm, Cameron is bringing them to life in the UK for the first time, marking new monuments for a nu moments.

Until September 22
Flat 70

Concord Art Prize

An exhibition of the 10 finalists of a new art prize for visuals inspired by music will go on show.

The artists have received a £1,000 bursary to create their submissions, including works by Anna Kerman, Sam Tahmessabi, Jacob Love, Angela Fung and Olly Fathers.

More than 600 submissions were received from artists aged 18-72, responding to a selection of songs from ConcordMusic Publishing’s expansive catalogue.

September 10 to 11
180 Strand

The Guilty Feminist – Live

The Guilty Feminist podcast has become a comedy phenomenon with 70 million downloads since it launched in 2015.

Along with some of your favourite comedians, guests and musicians, Frances-White hosts this joyful celebration of how far we’ve come, and continue the conversation about what remains to be done.

This live show of the podcast includes stand-up comedy, music, local guests and a few special surprises.

Expect laughs, excitement, tears and spectacle as only The Guilty Feminist can provide.

September 10 to 11
Queen Elizabeth Hall

Hydracity – Towards Watery Commons

As part of Totally Thames Festival, an exhibition with a programme of Hydrodetour walks, performances, archives and interactive artworks will be held.

Hydrodetours Walks, led by artists and experts, explore, map and celebrate the hidden, lost or undervalued watery commons of London.

From night-time magic lantern walks to sound ecology and listening with hydrophones, historical, geological, or foraging walks, these detours off the beaten track, offer exciting new experiences and perspectives on the Thames Valley Delta.

Until September 26
Thames-Side Studios Gallery

All the Fun of the Fair

Based on the history of Mitcham Fair and memories of local people, Digital Drama will launch the All the Fun of the Fair! audio trail at Mitcham Heritage Day.

Created by young people in Mitcham, the short audio trail is a celebration of Mitcham Fair through a blend of devised drama and interviews with locals recalling their experiences of one of the oldest fairs in the country.

The story of the audio trail spans 400 years – from Elizabethan revelry in the dancing tent, to the drama of the Victorian boxing booth, to the heady days of Teddy Boys ruling over the dodgems.

September 11
Canons House & Grounds, Mitcham

Turning Tides

A free outdoor music weekend returns to Greenwich Peninsula, right by the river.

The festival marks the end of a summer of culture and colour at Greenwich Peninsula, with an exciting lineup of live performances.

Headliners include self-made artist Oscar Jerome and one of the UK’s foremost black jazz vocalists and songwriters, Zara McFarlane as well as a host of artists will take over the stage with an eclectic mix of jazz, soul, blues, and acoustic performances.

September 11 to 12
Greenwich Peninsula

Crazy for Gershwin

American composer George Gershwin enjoyed a glamorous and sophisticated celebrity status.

His life was filled with enduring and remarkable harmonies that captured the 1920s New York style, none more striking and innovative than his timeless and spine-tingling Rhapsody in Blue.

Performed by the London Concert Orchestra the programme includes Rhapsody in Blue, ‘S Wonderful from Funny Face, Strike Up the Band and I’ve Got a Crush on You.

September 12
Royal Festival Hall

Live at the Globe with Dara Ó Briain

Shakespeare’s Globe and Show And Tell will be bringing a night of uproarious comedy to the Globe, headlined by internationally renowned stand-up and Mock The Week presenter Dara Ó Briain.

Dara will be joined by Nina Conti, Athena Kugblenu and Suzi Ruffell.

September 13
The Globe Theatre

Small Change

Set on the east side of Cardiff in the 1950s and 1970s, Peter Gill’s poetic masterpiece centres around Gerard, a troubled man at the end of youth, trapped by his past.

He relives his vibrant childhood, trying to grasp what made him the man he is.

September 14 to October 2
Omnibus Theatre

The Great Gatsby

Jay Gatsby invites you to one of his infamous parties.

The Champagne flows and as the drama unfolds the man himself will be the perfect host.

Dress to the nines and immerse yourself in this heart-racing adaption of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal tale.

Immersive Everywhere, led by Olivier Award-winning producers Louis Hartshorn & Brian Hook, will bring back London’s longest running immersive theatrical production.

September 16 onwards
Immersive LDN

Pic: Wimbledon Bookfest – Sunset Festival