Get out and about town this May and experience everything from theatre and comedy to birdwatching and historical pub walks
Mr Toad at Greenwich Theatre
Wise Owl Theatre bring the high-spirited and downright ludicrous tale of Mr Toad to the stage at Greenwich Theatre this season.
With Toad Hall under threat from the sly Miss Weasel, Toad’s insatiable need for speed could land him in serious trouble. The story is based on Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows and includes appearances from the story’s characters including Badger, Ratty and Mole.
Heart-warming tales for the whole family.
Dates: Thursday 30 May to Saturday 1 June 2024
Tickets: £19
Crooms Hill, SE10 8ES
greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/mr-toad
2024 British Basketball Play-Off Finals at O2
The season-ending 2024 British Basketball Playoff Finals will be returning to The O2 on Sunday 19 May 2024 for an afternoon of showstopping action on the court.
The Playoff Finals will see the elite teams go head to head in the two biggest games of the UK Basketball Calendar.
Grab court-side seats and get in on the action this May.
Date: Sunday 19 May 2024, doors 12:30pm
Tickets: From £29 to £189
www.theo2.co.uk/events/detail/2024-british-basketball-play-off-finals
Amber Khokhar at London Craft Week Deptford
Taking place during London Craft Week, Cockpit Studios is hosting the Cockpit Craft Garden Party, which will see an afternoon of entertainment, garden-inspired refreshments and craft demonstrations in the newly redeveloped Deptford location.
Be among the first to experience London’s only Craft Garden, designed by award-winning furniture designer Sebastian Cox, and be part of the unveiling of Head Heart Hand, a new public art installation designed by Cockpit maker Amber Khokhar.
Flora and fun, what more could you want?
Date: Wednesday 15 May 2024, 12pm to 4:30pm
Tickets: £15
Cockpit Deptford, 18-22 Creekside, SE8 3DZ
cockpitstudios.org/whats-on/cockpit-craft-garden-party
County Spelling Bee held in Deptford
Showcasing their final performance on BA (Hons) Musical Theatre at Trinity Laban, third-year students perform The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at The Albany.
An eclectic group of six tweens vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the cast spell their way through a series of could-be made-up words hoping to never hear the “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.
Six spellers enter; one speller leaves… at least the losers get a juice box.
Dates: Friday 24 May and Saturday 25 May 2024, 2:30pm and 7pm
Tickets: £10-£15, over 16s
Douglas Way, SE8 4AG
www.thealbany.org.uk/shows/spelling-bee
Fancy a midweek giggle? Head to Deptford
For a midweek evening out filled with laughter, head to Little Nan’s Bar for Your Friend & Mine’s comedy night.
It promises to be a riot of fun and entertainment, so you better get ready to enjoy a series of stand-up acts by talented comedians and have a giggle with your pals.
Date: Wednesday 15 May 2024, 7pm to 9:30pm
Tickets: £3
Little Nan’s Bar, Deptford Market Yard, SE8 4BX
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/your-friend-mine-comedy-night-wednesday-15th-may-tickets-886039085757
On the mic and more in Woolwich
A night of “vibes and creativity”, The Orange Room Collective is back with The Orange Room open mic event at Woolwich Works.
Experience an incredible evening that spotlights and celebrates Black creatives from London, with a special emphasis on artists from Woolwich. Come through to The Orange Room for a night of live music, performances, food and games.
Thursday 23 May 2024, 7pm
Tickets: £14
The Fireworks Factory, 11 No 1 Street, SE18 6HD
www.woolwich.works/events/orange-room-open-mic-night-4
Alfie Moore got a face for radio at Blackheath
Blackheath Halls is hosting Alfie Moore: A Face for Radio.
Somewhere in a parallel universe, little Alfie’s natural comedic performance skills were recognised by his doting parents who encouraged and developed his blossoming talent.
Meanwhile, in this universe, Alfie Moore was told to stop messing about in class before being “encouraged” into an apprenticeship in the Sheffield steelworks. When the recession hit, he traded steel for copper by joining Humberside Police.
Thirty years of shift-work, and being punched in the face quite a lot, had left Alfie with “a face for radio”.
In his 40s, a surprising career shift turned middle-aged Alfie from street cop to BBC radio star. But when TV fame beckoned, could he grasp it or was he past it?
Saturday 25 May 2024, 7:30pm
Tickets: £19
Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ
www.blackheathhalls.com/whats-on/alfie-moore-a-face-for-radio/
Birdwatching on the Greenwich Peninsula
Do you know your robin from your blue tit?
Birds of Greenwich Peninsula is a birdwatching logbook commissioned by artist Jennifer Moore. The logbook aims to provide an opportunity for you to connect to nature and support your mental and physical health while creating a keepsake.
Moore has been birdwatching for many years, read countless field guides and has spoken to a myriad of birding folk, so the information in the logbook is an accumulation of gathered knowledge based on a lifelong interest in nature.
Birds of Greenwich Peninsula is available to buy online or at the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park or NOW Gallery. All proceeds go to supporting the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park.
Birdwatch daily at the Peninsula
Birds of Greenwich Peninsula by Jennifer Moore is £7.50
www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk/whats-on/birdwatching-at-greenwich-peninsula
Sing that tune in Deptford
If you like singing in the shower, then you’ll love sharing songs with the Kender Singers – a small group of like-minded music enthusiasts.
The group sing two- and three-part songs from around the world, learning by ear, so you don’t have to read music (words and music also provided).
Join the Kender Singers at Deptford Lounge and experience the joy of singing together. There are no auditions so visit for a free taster session.
Tuesdays at 7:30pm (28 May, 4 June and more)
9 Giffin Street, Deptford SE8 4RJ
deptfordlounge.org.uk/whats-on/event/kender-singers-acapella/
Disappearing pubs walk by Blackheath Society
Join the Blackheath Society Walk and Talk as the group look at the Maidenstone Hill area of Greenwich and the pubs that have disappeared over the years, many without a trace.
You will see some of the individuals and organisations who used these pubs, their role in the community, the effect of changing licensing laws, how problems arising from alcohol consumption were dealt with, and the influence of the temperance movement and why they ended up closing down.
Meet at 5pm at The Richard l pub in Royal Hill for a walk, talk and maybe a pint for the Blackheath Society Walk and Talk: The disappearing pubs of Maidenstone Hill.
Monday 20 May 2024, 5pm to 7pm
Tickets: £5
Royal Hill, SE10 8RT
