Weekends

Good things to do next weekend 27th / 28th December:

Theatre: Oliver

"Please sir, can I have some more" is what Andrew Lloyd Webber will be hoping audiences say to his latest West End show. After yet another reality TV show hosted by Graham Norton to find a Nancy (oh the irony) and an Oliver, this production should be a huge success. Based on the Dickens novel of the same name, although a lot more cheery, the musical takes you into the East End of Victorian London, a world full of petty criminals and charming, if thieving, urchins. Orphaned Oliver gets himself thrown out of the workhouse when he requests some more gruel. After a spell as an undertaker's apprentice he is picked up The Artful Dodger, pickpocket extraordinaire, and recruited into a group of child robbers run by the doddery and dodgy Fagan. Like all musicals that have stood the test of time Oliver is actually a lot darker than its cheery melodies would suggest. The script ranges through unwanted pregnancy, child abduction, young offenders and domestic abuse. But don't worry, this is a Lloyd Webber production so much of this will go over the heads of all but the most morbid viewer. However, the reason this production is unmissable is Rowan Atkinson as Fagan. By far the creepiest, nastiest Fagan the West End has ever seen. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, WC2B (0870 890 6002). Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Ł17.50 - Ł60



Exhibition: Magnificence of the Tzars

Russian history before Stalin doesn't feature heavily in the British syllabus so for children who've grown up in a post-Cold War age it's almost possible to think of Russia as nothing more glamorous than the setting for a couple of James Bond movies. The latest exhibition from the Victoria and Albert museum aims to bring a bit of Tsarist glamour into the West. It features the uniforms and clothing of the Tsar's court from Peter the First (Peter the Great). Apparently, Peter brought in the Europeanisation of the Russian court and the selection of outfits over the succeeding decades shows how European fashions influenced the Russian monarchy. The exhibition includes military dress, traditional Russian dress and coronation outfits. The sumptuousness of the fabrics and richness of the colours was designed to show of off the wealth and power of the families. And when compared to what the rest of Russia was wearing you can see why it might have caused a little bit of jealousy. The Victoria and Albert, Exhibition Road, SW7 (020 7942 2000). Sat & Sun 10am - 5.45pm, Ł5

Theatre: Hamlet

David Tennant is best known for playing the rather charming, very affable Dr Who. However, for those of you who remember his career pre-The Doctor, it probably comes as no surprise that the RSC picked him to play Hamlet, or that he is mesmerising brilliant in it. As an actor he seemed to specialise in playing slightly creepy, paranoid, control freaks. And he brings this awkward, socially different persona to Hamlet. The production originally debuted in Stratford-Upon-Avon, where the RSC was roundly criticised for casting a famous actor just to pull in the crowds. The Donmar had done it earlier in the year with Ewan McGregor playing Iago, but it seems the residents of Stratford thought the RSC should be above such publicity stunts. Thankfully for everyone, they aren't. From the opening performances, Tennant showed his critics how wrong they were and has now been rewarded with a West End run. He's only got a few more shows so make sure you get in there quick. Novello Theatre, Aldwych, WC2B (0844 800 1114). Sat 7.15pm, Ł15 - Ł40



Event: Somerset House: Ice Rink

Every year several rinks open up across the city but Somerset House is the original and best. The courtyard is iced over, and you can twirl around whilst admiring the building and the huge Christmas tree. For those of you who've mastered the rink, this year there will also be an ice wall. If you're feeling particularly adventurous you too can make the climb up eight feet of ice, equipped with just crampons, ice axes and...err... safety harness. Or if that all seems a little too energetic you can sit back with a mug of hot chocolate, or mulled wine, and laugh at the people falling over.

In our opinion it's one of the highlights of winter and if you've been feeling slightly "bah-humbug" about the imminence of Christmas then this cannot fail to get you in the mood. However, it's growing in popularity every year so it's a good idea to book tickets as far in advance as possible. Somerset House, The Strand, WC2 (020 7872 0220). Sat & Sun 10am - 9pm Ł9.50-12



Theatre: Potted Potter

As the recent case over a Harry Potter dictionary in the US shows, almost anything with Harry Potter in the title is an instant success. So it seems almost strange that no-one thought of the concept of Potted Potter before now. The show takes just over an hour and in that time squeezes in the plots of all seven Harry Potter books, as well as an argument between the actors, an incredible array of props and a full blown game of quidditch involving the entire audience. The whole show goes at break neck speed and if you're not an avid fan it's quite possible you're never going to have a clue what's happening, but if you've devoured the books and can't wait for the next film then you'll love it. Scripted and performed by two ex-Blue Peter presenters the show is clearly aimed at the... err... target Harry Potter audience of seven to eleven year olds. But personally, we think adults will have much more fun. Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 (020 8237 1111). Sat 3pm & 7.15pm, Ł17.50


	Theatre: Oliver "Please sir, can I have some more" is what Andrew Lloyd Webber will be hoping audiences say to his latest West End show. After yet another reality TV show hosted by Graham Norton to find a Nancy (oh the irony) and an Oliver, this production should be a huge success. Based on the Dickens novel of the same name, although a lot more cheery, the musical takes you into the East End of Victorian London, a world full of petty criminals and charming, if thieving, urchins. Orphaned Oliver gets himself thrown out of the workhouse when he requests some more gruel. After a spell as an undertaker's apprentice he is picked up The Artful Dodger, pickpocket extraordinaire, and recruited into a group of child robbers run by the doddery and dodgy Fagan. Like all musicals that have stood the test of time Oliver is actually a lot darker than its cheery melodies would suggest. The script ranges through unwanted pregnancy, child abduction, young offenders and domestic abuse. But don't worry, this is a Lloyd Webber production so much of this will go over the heads of all but the most morbid viewer. However, the reason this production is unmissable is Rowan Atkinson as Fagan. By far the creepiest, nastiest Fagan the West End has ever seen. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, WC2B (0870 890 6002). Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Ł17.50 - Ł60

	Exhibition: Magnificence of the Tzars Russian history before Stalin doesn't feature heavily in the British syllabus so for children who've grown up in a post-Cold War age it's almost possible to think of Russia as nothing more glamorous than the setting for a couple of James Bond movies. The latest exhibition from the Victoria and Albert museum aims to bring a bit of Tsarist glamour into the West. It features the uniforms and clothing of the Tsar's court from Peter the First (Peter the Great). Apparently, Peter brought in the Europeanisation of the Russian court and the selection of outfits over the succeeding decades shows how European fashions influenced the Russian monarchy. The exhibition includes military dress, traditional Russian dress and coronation outfits. The sumptuousness of the fabrics and richness of the colours was designed to show of off the wealth and power of the families. And when compared to what the rest of Russia was wearing you can see why it might have caused a little bit of jealousy. The Victoria and Albert, Exhibition Road, SW7 (020 7942 2000). Sat & Sun 10am - 5.45pm, Ł5

	Theatre: Hamlet David Tennant is best known for playing the rather charming, very affable Dr Who. However, for those of you who remember his career pre-The Doctor, it probably comes as no surprise that the RSC picked him to play Hamlet, or that he is mesmerising brilliant in it. As an actor he seemed to specialise in playing slightly creepy, paranoid, control freaks. And he brings this awkward, socially different persona to Hamlet. The production originally debuted in Stratford-Upon-Avon, where the RSC was roundly criticised for casting a famous actor just to pull in the crowds. The Donmar had done it earlier in the year with Ewan McGregor playing Iago, but it seems the residents of Stratford thought the RSC should be above such publicity stunts. Thankfully for everyone, they aren't. From the opening performances, Tennant showed his critics how wrong they were and has now been rewarded with a West End run. He's only got a few more shows so make sure you get in there quick. Novello Theatre, Aldwych, WC2B (0844 800 1114). Sat 7.15pm, Ł15 - Ł40

	Event: Somerset House: Ice Rink Every year several rinks open up across the city but Somerset House is the original and best. The courtyard is iced over, and you can twirl around whilst admiring the building and the huge Christmas tree. For those of you who've mastered the rink, this year there will also be an ice wall. If you're feeling particularly adventurous you too can make the climb up eight feet of ice, equipped with just crampons, ice axes and...err... safety harness. Or if that all seems a little too energetic you can sit back with a mug of hot chocolate, or mulled wine, and laugh at the people falling over. In our opinion it's one of the highlights of winter and if you've been feeling slightly "bah-humbug" about the imminence of Christmas then this cannot fail to get you in the mood. However, it's growing in popularity every year so it's a good idea to book tickets as far in advance as possible. Somerset House, The Strand, WC2 (020 7872 0220). Sat & Sun 10am - 9pm Ł9.50-12

	Theatre: Potted Potter As the recent case over a Harry Potter dictionary in the US shows, almost anything with Harry Potter in the title is an instant success. So it seems almost strange that no-one thought of the concept of Potted Potter before now. The show takes just over an hour and in that time squeezes in the plots of all seven Harry Potter books, as well as an argument between the actors, an incredible array of props and a full blown game of quidditch involving the entire audience. The whole show goes at break neck speed and if you're not an avid fan it's quite possible you're never going to have a clue what's happening, but if you've devoured the books and can't wait for the next film then you'll love it. Scripted and performed by two ex-Blue Peter presenters the show is clearly aimed at the... err... target Harry Potter audience of seven to eleven year olds. But personally, we think adults will have much more fun. Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 (020 8237 1111). Sat 3pm & 7.15pm, Ł17.50