Shoppers in Covent Garden were treated to an impromptu Shakespearean performance yesterday, as a flashmob of Shakespearean characters emerged from the crowd.

Performers introduced themselves (in character) to members of the public, quoted some of the Bard’s most famous lines and sang songs, before disappearing into the crowd again.

It was the first What You Will: Pop-up Shakespeare event, created by actor Mark Rylance as part of the Mayor of London Presents programme and London 2012 Festival.

Fifty actors, aged 17 to 70, are taking part in the event, including deaf and disabled artists. They will play characters including Hamlet, Puck, Cleopatra and Juliet.

Similar performances will be happening across London until Sunday 2 September. Today’s performances will take place in the Exhibition Road area from 12pm to 4pm. Other locations are secret until the day, so keep an eye on the Mayor of London Presents website or follow @molpresents on Twitter to find out where there’ll be.

Last night I went to the preview of the Start Sustainable Pop Up Restaurant at Lancaster House, which opens today. We spotted a few celebrities there including Barbara Windsor, Jeff Banks and a man who used to be in Hollyoaks (we think!)

Start Pop Up Restaurant aims to offer sustainable dining in every aspect – from locally-sourced ingredients to reclaimed furniture and organic wine.

The most exciting aspect is its location in the beautiful Lancaster House which isn’t usually open to the public but may look familiar if you’ve seen The King’s Speech (it stood in for Buckingham Palace in the film). Lancaster House felt just as grand as the palace and it was a real treat just to walk through a small part of it.

The chance to dine in the Grand Hall at Lancaster House has proved so popular that reservations for lunch and dinner are almost fully booked, but there’s still the option to enjoy a sharing platter on the terrace overlooking the garden or drinks at the garden bar.

We really enjoyed having a nosey round the gardens and wondering whether Prince Charles would pop in from next door (Clarence House).  

The restaurant is only open until 31 July and is well worth a look. If you’re desperate to eat there, a few lunchtime slots are still available (book now!), or head over to the terrace or bar which don’t require a reservation.

Start Pop Up Restaurant, Lancaster House, 27-31 July, 11am-10.30pm

Here at VL, we’re fans of both pop-up events and outdoor cinema. So we’re delighted to hear that the two will be combined next year when a floating cinema sets sail in East London!

The Floating Cinema will navigate the waterways of the five Olympic host boroughs in summer 2011.

Climb aboard for floating film-screenings, film-related activities and larger outdoor screening events.

The Floating Cinema is part of the Portavilion project, whose pop-up dance tent travelled around London earlier this year.

Artists Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie (known collectively as Somewhere) are developing the event which aims to create a “human blueprint” of London’s waterways and their connections to the Olympic Park and the Games.

We can’t wait to see it.

The Floating Cinema, Jun-Sep 2011

Enjoy a warming meal of Heinz Beanz on toast as well as a fuzzy feeling inside that only comes from giving to charity - the café is raising money for Help A London Child.

The Heinz Pop-Up Café will be at 3-10 Shoreditch High Street from 11 January until 14 January. Suggested donation 50p.