Emma and her boyfriend Brendan (who live in Australia) are saving up for their first trip abroad together. Emma’s uncles, Tim Benzie and Paul Joseph, made this video to convince the couple to come to London instead of going on a cruise. Emma and Brendan: we agree that it’s got to be London! Find out more about the video at www.itsgottobelondon.com.

Yesterday one of the most closely guarded secrets in theatreland has been revealed: the location of Punchdrunk’s new show. The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable will take place in the largest space the innovative theatre company have ever taken over: a massive empty building next door to Paddington Station. Subject to licensing and planning permission, Punchdrunk will transform 31 London Street into the forgotten world of Temple Studios for its latest immersive theatrical experience. The show has also extended its London run to 31 December with 50,000 extra tickets now on sale.

Next up, great news for fans of the multi-award winning The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. The National’s hit show has extended its booking period at the Apollo Theatre to October 2014, releasing an additional 250,000 tickets for the celebrated show. If you haven’t done so yet, book tickets to see it now! It’s a fantastic piece of feel-good theatre, with a real star at the centre of its cast in Luke Treadaway.

London’s theatre offering also expanded today with the opening of a brand new theatre in Finsbury Park. The Park Theatre is run by artistic director Jez Bond, and the first performance will be Melanie Marnich’s These Shining Lives, starting this week. Like last year’s new arrival, the St James theatre in Victoria, there are two spaces in the venue: a 200-seat theatre and a flexible 90-seat space. The Park Theatre will operate as a charity, relying on local support to keep it running. If you’re in the area – pop in! There’s a bar and a café inside too.

And speaking of the St James Theatre, I have news of their latest show. The American Plan is a transfer from Theatre Royal Bath, and will open at the Victoria venue in July. Richard Greenberg’s 1960s-set play is a tale of broken dreams, twisted motives and deceit. It stars Diana Quick as an overbearing mother intent on controlling her daughter’s life.

Finally, this year’s Greenwich+Docklands international theatre festival line-up has been announced. Organised by Bradley Hemmings, one of the team responsible for last year’s Paralympic Opening Ceremony, the festival will feature the best UK and international performers to streets, parks and public spaces in and around Greenwich. If you like immersive, unusual and eclectic performance, then make sure you’re in London between 21 to 29 June. And best of all, it’s all free!

Christmas London Theatre News

Is it too soon to get excited about the festive season in London? Perhaps. But if you’re the type of person who loves to plan ahead, you might fancy putting one of the following into the very end of your 2013 diary:

• Slava’s Snowshow returns to the Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre for the third year running in December. The award-winning production, which mixes theatrical clowning and stunning visuals, will hit the venue just in time to create a white Christmas, playing from 17 December to 5 January
• And this week’s other Christmas announcement is that the legendary Henry Winkler will play Hook in Peter Pan at the Richmond Theatre from 6 December. Start practising your booing now!

Firstly this week, I have news of two shows closing early, and another extending. So, if you’re eager to see Strictly Come Dancing stars Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor in Burn The Floor at the Shaftesbury Theatre, you’ll need to be quick. The show is now closing on 30 June. The same date will be the final performance of Viva Forever! at the Piccadilly Theatre. The musical based on the songs of the Spice Girls has run for just six months, but producers have blamed poor ticket sales and bad reviews for the early closure. Fans of One Man Two Guvnors are in luck however; the National Theatre’s hit comedy celebrates its third year in London this week by releasing an additional 150,000 tickets for the show at the Theatre Royal Haymarket: it’s now booking until 1 March 2014.

I’ve also got news of two new shows coming to London in the near future. Dance troupe ZooNation bring the world premiere their “unique twist” on The Wizard of Oz, Groove on Down the Road to the Southbank Centre this summer. Featuring music from the original 1978 film The Wiz remixed with current tunes by DJ Walde, Groove on Down the Road runs from 10 August to 1 September at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The acclaimed Sheffield Theatres production of The Full Monty will transfer to the West End next year for a 16-week season. The stage adaptation of the hit film will play at the Noel Coward Theatre from February next year. Following the news of American Psycho and The Commitments last week, it seems we can’t get enough of film adaptations on the London stage at the moment.

Finally, another summer treat to look forward to. The Lyric Hammersmith is running Theatre in the Square again this summer, encouraging visitors to indulge in free theatre from four of the country’s most innovative theatre companies over a four-week season. The shows’ themes range from water to motherhood to ice cream to The Bacchae. Theatre in the Square is part of the ever-brilliant Greenwich+Docklands International Festival.

London Theatre Cast News

• Ralf Little, Simon Day, John Gordon Sinclair and Con O’Neill will star in Sean Foley’s The Ladykillers when it returns to the Vaudeville Theatre in June
• West End regular Dianne Pilkington takes over as Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! from 10 June, along with 24 other new cast members. It’ll be the biggest cast change since the show began performances in London back in 1999
• Darren Day will star in The Golden Voice, a new musical about the consequences of TV talent shows, playing at the Arts Theatre from June

The Book Club’s May Day Fete

East London cultural hotspot The Book Club is taking over the Leonard Street Car Park for another one of their epic outdoor parties. Their May Day Fete features Morris Dancers, folk bands, traditional games and delicious, freshly-foraged food from The Foragers. Entry to the fete, which runs between 12-9pm, is free. 5 May

The Rooftop Film Club at The Queen of Hoxton and Kensington Roof Gardens

The Rooftop Film Club returns for another year of great cinema under the stars in London. Visitors can watch a variety of cult, classic and modern films on the big screens, with night-time London providing a spectacular backdrop. Tickets are £12 at the Queen of Hoxton or £22 – including a hot snack – at Kensington Roof Gardens. Until 30 Sep

The Campo Viejo Streets of Spain Festival at the Southbank Centre

Immerse yourself in the flavours of modern Spain at this four-day festival, which brings the best of Spanish food, wine, art and culture to the Southbank Centre. Not only can you browse stalls from Barcelona’s famous La Boqueria food market, which is making an appearance in London for the first time, but you can also learn about Spanish winemaking, see live street art and watch acclaimed films from the Spanish Film Festival. In the evenings the festival will host a pop-up restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Angel Pascual. 3-6 May

The Make Believe Festival at the Islington Metal Works 

Combining the best of everything from steampunk to faerytales, the Make Believe Festival promises to be an immersive experience. It presents a different event on each of its three days, all of which combine elements of art, music, performance and fantasy. Events range from the Goblin King’s Masquerade Ball to a Steampunk Market, and tickets start at £5. 3-5 May

The Imperial Festival

Taking place at Imperial College London, the prestigious South Kensington university, the Imperial Festival returns for a second year of scientific discovery and fun. Not only can you chat to more than 200 scientists and get an exclusive look at their research facilities, but you can also take part in science demonstrations, try your hand at surgery or enjoy music, dance and science comedy. Entry is free. 3-4 May  

Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice

Head to the pretty canals of Little Venice for this fun free festival, which celebrates the waterways and the canalboat community. Visitors can watch the pageant of boats, live bands and traditional Morris Dancers, as well as browse stalls, take part in kids’ activities and sip a traditional English pint from the real ale bar. 4-6 May

More London events

Udderbelly Festival’s purple cow has arrived at the Southbank Centre in London for a summer of fun! The festival’s giant upside-down cow stage will host a packed programme of comedy, circus and family shows, including appearances by comedians Richard Herring, The Boy With Tape On His Face and Ardal O’Hanlon.

Swedish retailer Hennes & Mauritz’s latest venture & Other Stories is opening its doors on Friday (8 March) on Regent Street. The much-anticipated new launch is a one-stop shop with lingerie, shoes, bags, jewellery, skincare products and make-up as well as clothes. There are four different clothing collections, from feminine and glamorous styles to tailored looks. This is the world’s first-ever & Other Stories store, showing that London is leading the way in the fashion stakes once again.

Put your best foot forward at Selfridges this month. The store is paying homage to fabulous footwear by hosting a Shoe Carnival. Shoppers can expect an in-store installation of a yellow brick road, as well as a slew of exclusive designs by Charlotte Olympia, Nicholas Kirkwood and Rupert Sanderson. Also on display will be the entire archive of shoe designer extraordinaire Salvatore Ferragamo. The luxury department store shifts a staggering 10,000 pairs of shoes a week.

Rummage for retro at the Vintage Fashion Fair, which will take place from 11am-5pm on 17 March at Cecil Sharp House in Primrose Hill. Load up on unusual and stylish clothes for Spring, including affordable pretty dresses and skirts, unusual vintage scarves and jewellery. For those with cash to splash, the fair is also a treasure trove of stunning designer pieces, including Ossie Clark, Chanel, Dior and more.

In-the-know fashion blogger Nhuc Tran is opening a pop-up boutique for three months in East London’s hip Boxpark, the world’s first pop-up mall. China Doll Boutique will stock delicate dresses in chic prints and pastel shades. Set within stripped and refitted shipping containers, Boxpark is a small mall housing 40 retailers, restaurants and galleries.

Rub shoulders with the fash pack by snapping up a ticket for The Vogue Festival 2013 which takes place at the Southbank Centre from 27-28 April. Guests can enjoy cover-shoots, makeovers and workshops. The festival boasts a glittering array of A-list speakers including pop-star turned award-winning fashion designer Victoria Beckham, model and presenter Alexa Chung, model du jour Cara Delevingne and photographer Mario Testino. Tickets cost from £30 for each individual talk.

Finally, if you’re itching to flex your credit card this weekend, snap up a piece of art at the Affordable Art Fair at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park (7-10 Mar, 11am-6pm). Priced from £40 to £4,000, there are paintings, prints and sculpture to suit every budget.

A Momentary Lapse of London from Davide Roveri on Vimeo.

After seeing last week’s time-lapse video of London, Davide Roveri got in touch with this beautifully atmospheric London video. If you spot any great London videos, let us know and we’ll try to feature them here.

Join Me On The Bridge London

Organised by Women for Women International, this uplifting event sees women gather on the Southbank at 10.30am for face painting and banner-making, before marching over several bridges to the Royal Festival Hall, where there will be speeches by a series of special guests. Join Me On The Bridge London is one of many identical events around the world, which raise awareness of the need for peace and equality.

Women of the World Festival at the Southbank Centre (6-10 Mar)

More than 300 speakers from around the world will take part in the Southbank Centre’s Women of the World Festival, which boasts an impressive programme of talks, workshops, music and performances. On International Women’s Day itself, the festival offers an array of talks by inspiring women such as Sarah Brown, Julia Hobsbawm and Julie Walters, as well as debates, music and the chance to gain valuable advice in a speed mentoring session. Day tickets are £12.

Lectures in London

Whether you want to discover the health benefits of being a working mother, attend a free conference on women entrepreneurs, or  find out why women are more affected by natural disasters, there are plenty of fascinating – and often free – events taking place on 8 March. Women in science is a particular theme this year: check out Women and Science, Suffrage Science or the Stemettes 2013 Panel (7 Mar) to discover the amazing work being done by women scientists across the globe.

World of Women Film Festival (23 and 28 Mar)

Based in Australia, the World of Women (WOW) Festival has been screening the best in contemporary female short film for the past 18 years. For 2013 the UK-based Equator, which celebrates women’s creativity in all its forms, is collaborating with the WOW Festival to bring a selection of its films to London on 24 and 28 March. Films range from Kamambo, a drama about a West Papuan asylum seeker in Australia, to Distant Thunder, a comedy about marriage and death.

Social opportunities

International Women’s Day is a great incentive to meet and be inspired by other women professionals, and the women-only networking lunch at the City Business Library is a perfect opportunity to do just that. Women Rotarians can also enjoy spectacular views whilst they socialise at City Hall, where Rotary in London is staging a networking breakfast.

International Women’s Day Entertainment

There are many celebrations of women’s creativity taking place on and around International Women’s Day. You can listen to works by contemporary female composers at St Andrew’s Holborn, see a Philippine fashion show, or tickle your funny bone for charity at a comedy gala hosted by some of the world’s top women comedians (7 Mar). BFI Southbank is also hosting a special pre-release screening of Wadjda, an award-winning film by Saudia Arabia’s first female feature director.

Million Women Rise March (9 Mar)

Gathering outside Selfridges at 12pm on Saturday, the Million Women Rise March will pedestrianise Oxford Street so that thousands of women can march to Trafalgar Square for a rally at 3pm. The march protests against male violence towards women, and is the largest of its kind in Europe.

Edible Cinema at the Aubin Cinema

Enjoy a romantic 4D cinema experience at the Aubin Cinema, where screenings of the classic film Some Like it Hot are augmented by clever servings of food and drink. The evening starts with a prohibition-style cocktail courtesy of Bombay Sapphire, followed by mystery servings of snacks and beverages that are to be enjoyed at key points throughout the film – you might, for example, find yourself savouring champagne truffles when the protagonists enjoy a boozy kiss aboard a borrowed yacht. Tickets start from £23 and full details are available from the Edible Cinema website. 17 Feb

MCN London Motorcycle Show at ExCeL

The Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show is a haven for anyone whose idea of fun involves two wheels and an engine. Whether you ride a Harley Davidson or the newest sports bike the show will have something for you, and beyond the range of stalls, presentations and workshops you’ll be able to watch biking legends in the Revolution area, where they’ll go head-to-head in spectacular competition. Tickets are £16. 15-17 Feb

Imagine Festival at the Southbank Centre

As an annual extravaganza for children on the Southbank, the Imagine Festival is both a perfect solution for half-term boredom and a great source of inspiration for kids. The festival offers a large variety of both free and ticketed events, ranging from talks by acclaimed children’s authors Anthony Horrowitz, Judith Kerr and Cressida Cowell, to children’s theatre and workshops. 11-24 Feb

The Audience at the Gielgud Theatre

See Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren play The Queen in the world premiere of Peter Morgan’s The Audience. The play looks at The Queen’s private audiences with the country’s Prime Ministers – ranging from Churchill to Cameron – and imagines the dialogue that might have taken place therein. It’s a fascinating look at The Queen’s innermost thoughts throughout her sixty year reign, and the charismatic Mirren should be a perfect choice for the role. Tickets start from £10 .Until 15 Jun

Manga Comic Workshop at the British Museum

Fans of the Japanese graphic novel form will love this two-hour informative session, which teaches students the basics and allows them to create their own story. As with many great works of fiction, participants’ stories will be based on ancient stories – and works found within the museum should provide plenty of material! Entry is free and the workshop is suitable for ages 7+. 17 Feb

Thanks to reader Lucas Veuve who got in touch with this fab London video. Lucas says:

“When I first moved to London, I was struck by the number of people living in this great city and the speed at which they move from one place to another. I wanted to capture how I saw London when I first moved here.”

We think he’s done a great job. Look out for great shots of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin and The Shard, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the Southbank Centre and Trafalgar Square.

Look out for more London videos on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/VisitLondonVideo