April 2010

Easter Sunday is on 4th April this year, a month when England's most famous universities, Oxford and Cambridge, take to the river in a rowing race that has been pitching the rival seats of learning against each other for over 150 years. It's also the start of Shakespeare's Globe Season and this year's theme - Kings & Rogues - promises drama of royalty and rascals.

Hair

Gielgud Theatre, W1D 6AR
1st April 2010 - 8th January 2011

The original Broadway cast are transferring to London's West End for this latest production of Hair, the 1960s musical written by out-of-work actors James Rado and Gerome Ragni and based in New York during the height of the Vietnam War. First shown in April 1968 in New York Public Theatre in Lafayette Street, it was last staged in London in September that year, one day after the abolition of theatre censorship. The timing allowed for certain nude scenes to be included which would have been banned for being too outrageous for the stage just the day before. Set to music by Galt MacDermot - songs include Let The Sun Shine In, I Got Life, Hair and Aquarius - Hair is a musical very much of its time, featuring anti-war sentiment of the sixties, flower power and free love. With the backing of Sir Cameron Mackintosh - a behind-the-scenes runner on the original West End production - Hair the musical is set for a well received revival.

More info: Hair Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The 156th Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race

River Thames, London, W6 9TD
3rd April 2010

England's most famous universities square off in this rowing race which inaugurates the summer season in London. This is the 156th annual Boat Race and following their win last year, Oxford are creeping back closer to Cambridge, who currently hold a slender 79-75 aggregate lead (there was a controversial dead heat in 1877). After comfortable wins in both 2008 and 2009, the momentum is certainly with the Oxford crew, who have won seven races in the last decade. While the result means little to most Londoners, it's a spectacular display of strength and teamwork, and around a quarter of a million fans line the banks of the river to roar their encouragement (add to that 120m who follow the race on TV across the world). There's a great view - and some great pubs - around Furnival Gardens on the north side of the Thames near Hammersmith Bridge. Alternatively, you might like to watch from near the start at Putney Bridge, where the big screens on both banks allow spectators to monitor the race as it heads its way around the first bend. Nearby, at Bishops Park behind the South Stand of Fulham football ground Craven Cottage, you'll find food stalls, family attractions (bouncy castle, face painting and a climbing wall) and a large beer tent.

The Boat Race - Information

Ether Festival 2010

Southbank Centre, London, SE1 8XX
16th - 24th April 2010

The eccentric Ether Festival returns for the ninth year this April as the Southbank Centre opens its doors to innovation in music, art and cross-arts experimentation. Initially a festival of electronic music, Ether has evolved over the years, blending mainstream acts such as Brian Eno, David Byrne, Peaches and Royksopp, alongside little-known acts, oddball movements and even some classical artists. Technological pioneers and musical innovators past and present come together for a series of concerts, talks and strange collaborations that often baffle as much as they astound. This year's schedule includes performances of the complete works of the French composer Edgard Varese (pictured) over one weekend and the world premiere of Henryk Gorecki's Symphony No.4, the follow-up to the composer's epoch-defining Symphony No.3 written in 1976. Keep an eye on www.southbankcentre.co.uk for line-up information.

More info: Ether Festival 2010 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Dancing On Ice

The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB
16th - 20th April 2010

The appallingly compelling ITV series Dancing On Ice (where Torvill and Dean teach Z-listers how to skate) hits the road, appearing in London as part of a nationwide tour in a show of lurid costumes, celebrity skaters and hard-to-please judges. However much you want to slate it, it's impossible to switch off - surely Loose Women panelist Coleen Nolan was always skating on thin ice, surely Liberty X singer Jessica Taylor is the real ice queen and surely Torvill and Dean are not still living on their 1984 Olympic Gold medal. Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes! Throw in some daring dance moves, obvious sexual chemistry cracking the ice and the horrible, horrible costumes and you've got compulsive Sunday night telly. As the fifth series skids to a halt amid tears and tumbles, fans can console themselves with the thought of the 2010 tour, which should be just as much fun with a decent line-up of celebs from past and present shows.

More info: Dancing On Ice Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Grace Kelly Style

Victoria and Albert (V & A) Museum, London, SW7 2RL
17th April - 26th September 2010

The spectacular wardrobe of style icon Grace Kelly goes on display at the V & A as part of the Grace Kelly Style exhibition. So effortlessly chic that Hermes renamed their handbag the 'Kelly bag', Grace Kelly's style is still emulated today. Outfits that were worn by the actress, many no doubt featured on the pages of Vogue, are presented as museum pieces in this exhibition which includes couture gowns by Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Yves St Laurent. The display presents over 50 of Grace Kelly's outfits including the gown she wore to accept her Oscar award in 1955 along with hats, jewellery and accessories of equal elegance. As well as outfits worn in films including High Society, the display includes the lace ensemble worn by Grace Kelly for her civil marriage ceremony to Prince Rainier in 1956 when she became known as Princess Grace of Monaco.

More info: Grace Kelly Style Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Queen's Birthday Gun Salutes

Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
21st April 2010

Being Queen involves many privileges, not least of which is getting to celebrate your birthday twice every year. The Queen's Birthday Gun Salutes have the advantage of taking place on her actual birthday - 21st April. It's a smaller occasion than Trooping the Colour which marks her official birthday on 12th June. Still, this is a loud, spectacular and smoky display with a total of 41 rounds of cannon and gun shots fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park at 12 noon. The King's Troop ride into Hyde Park from the north by Marble Arch along North Carriage Drive, line up abreast and gallop down the parade ground to roughly opposite The Dorchester Hotel. The Troop itself arrives at around 11.45am ready to fire the first round at midday. The guns are then unhooked and the salute is fired off. Duty performed, the horses gallop back up towards North Carriage Drive. The band arrives separately and can usually be seen from about 11.30am. It is a spectacular show of pomp and ceremony and it's also the only time when you will see horses legally at a full gallop in Hyde Park - with a ton and a half of cannon in tow! Happy Birthday Lizzy!

More info: The Queen's Birthday Gun Salutes Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

St George's Day

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS
23rd April 2010

Patriotic celebrations take over the City for St George's Day on 23rd April in recognition of England's dragon-slaying patron saint - now thoroughly reclaimed from the football hooligans. There's always something fun going on in Trafalgar Square where festivities include free entertainment with live bands on the main stage, food stalls and street actors all putting on a very English display. Shakespeare's birthday falls on the same date, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre hosts its own set of celebratory activities at the theatre to tie in with St George's Day. Workshops and interactive fun and games bring the Bard to life for all-comers, young and old.

More info: St George's Day Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Shakespeare's Globe Season - Kings & Rogues

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London, SE1 9DT
23rd April - 3rd October 2010

The magic of Shakespeare's Globe is not just a consequence of its Elizabethan beauty (though it is certainly one of the capital's most romantic summer spots) it also comes from the unique way the theatre works: with most of the audience standing mere inches from the stage there is a real sense of participation, and the crowds can be noisily appreciative. With standing tickets available for around a fiver, it is also one of the cheapest top class theatres in the world. This summer, the Shakespeare's Globe Season is called 'Kings & Rogues' and full details of the 2010 programme will be announced in January so check the website for updates. Booking opens on 15th February and Friends of Shakespeare's Globe have priority booking which opens 4th January. Whichever production you choose, it's a fantastic step into London's theatrical past, full of blood and thunder with the audience drawn deep into the action by imaginative staging.

More info: Shakespeare's Globe Season - Kings & Rogues Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Virgin London Marathon 2010

Starts - Greenwich Park, London, SE10 9NF
25th April 2010

Every April, 30,000 runners flood the streets of the capital to do battle with themselves and each other for the London Marathon. Serious competitors mingle with charity fun-runners in the spring sunshine as the 26.2 mile route comes alive to the sounds of bands, cheering crowds and pounding feet. The race is the biggest of all city marathons and attracts many of the world's top athletes. It kicks off at Greenwich Park and Blackheath, continues through Surrey Quays, Brunel Rd, Tooley St, Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, Embankment, Parliament Square and Birdcage Walk, with a royal finish on The Mall by Buckingham Palace. Last year, Kenya's Samuel Wanjiru set a course record on his way to winning the men's race, while Germany's Irina Mikitenko made it two in two for the women. For information about how you can run and raise money for charity go to www.virginlondonmarathon.com.

Virgin London Marathon 2010 - Information

Whitney Houston

The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0BB
25th, 26th & 28th April 2010

Usually news that Whitney Houston was coming to town to give three spring time concerts would have been met with interest amongst her fervent fans, but little else but trepidation from the general public. Now, thanks to her truly baffling performance on X Factor, everyone wants a piece of the most awarded female artist of all time. Having stuttered through an interview with Dermot - "I sung myself out of my clothes" - while kicking fake bank notes around the stage, Whitney had the whole of the nation discussing just what had got her in such a fuddled state of being. That said, if the aim of the whole charade was to ensure a sell-out crowd at The O2 Arena for these April concert, then the American diva has excelled yet again. With six Grammys, an Oscar and seven consecutive multi-platinum albums to her name, you don't get much bigger than Whitney - even if she's far cry from the delectable soul who serenaded Kevin Costner back in the 90s classic The Bodyguard.

More info: Whitney Houston Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Akram Khan: Gnosis

Sadler's Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN
26th & 27th April 2010

The award-winning choreographer Akram Khan presents his new classical Kathak dance piece, Gnosis, a collaboration with Gauri Sharma Tripathi and Pratap Pawar, about a queen who lives blindfolded in honour of her blind husband. Khan has a rich background in Kathak, a classical dance form from South Asia, which he's developed with his own contemporary twist, mixing it with classical ballet. Visitors to last year's Svapnagata festival were given a taste of what to expect (it was "simply astonishing", according to The Telegraph), and now Gnosis returns to Sadler's Wells this April with a new contemporary section that wasn't included in the previous performance. Inspired by the Mahabharata story of Queen Ghandari, the blinding motif gives Khan room to explore the notion of inner knowledge and at one point he becomes the elderly Gandhari, turning himself into a frail, shaking figure, shuddering to such an extent that he appears like a flame.

More info: Akram Khan: Gnosis Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube