What's on in East London this weekend, 27th and 28th April, 2019

The History of Rock

A jaw-dropping night transporting you through the golden ages of rock. Featuring the music of artists such as Led Zeppelin, Cream, Guns ‘n’ Roses, AC/DC, Queen and many more. Experience this iconic music brought back to life by an exceptional eight piece band consisting of some of the finest musicians and performers from around the world, original visual footage of the featured bands and artists, as well as incredible concert staging and lighting.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS, Saturday, April 27, 7.30pm. Details: 01279 431945 playhouseharlow.com

A World of Magic

Journey to a dream world inspired by Mozart’s fairy tale opera, The Magic Flute, in an interactive concert for young music-lovers. Experience an enchanting story by Hazel Gould, and learn how music can conjure magic to help our heroes and heroines live happily ever after. The OAE Tots concerts have lots of action and activity for youngsters to enjoy. You can also meet the players and the instruments in the venue foyer after the performance.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, Sunday, April 28, 10.30am and 12pm. Details: 020 7960 4200 southbankcentre.co.uk

The Hired Man

Cumbria, 1898. Whippet racing, hiring fairs, hunting and drunken antics collide, in this passionate story of John and Emily, a young married couple, and their moving struggle to carve a living from the land. An epic and heroic tale of love, betrayal and loyalty, set against a backdrop of English country traditions being swept away as a new century faces the gathering storm of war. Based on the stirring novel by Melvyn Bragg, with a superb score of foot-stomping rhythms and soaring choruses by Howard Goodall, the award-winning composer of West End hits Bend It Like Beckham and Love Story.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Saturday, April 27, to Saturday, May 18, various times. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Robert White: The Tank Top Tour

Robert White wowed the judges and viewers alike with his fast-paced comedy routines when he made the finals on 2018's Britain’s Got Talent. He is now set to bring all the fun you saw on TV live across the country with his debut tour. With a suitcase full of his trademark vests, Robert will be travelling the UK with his unique, musical stand-up. As the only gay, Aspergic, quarter-Welsh comic on the British comedy circuit, Britain’s Got Talent has helped to highlight Robert’s distinctive comedy genius. Known for his brilliant timing and anarchic performance style, Robert’s chaotic stage presence, improvisational skills and delivery saw him win the Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Saturday, April 27, 7.30pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Tommy Sandhu’s Comedy Tour

Hailing from the East End of London, Tommy Sandhu is a born and bred Londoner. At school, Tommy had a reputation for talking a lot, but he channelled his constant chatter into school theatre and local amateur dramatics. Join Tommy on his new tour for an evening of fun and laughter. With special guests Rahul Kohli, Sukh Ojla and Will-E.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Sunday, April 28, 7.30pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Writing: Making Your Mark

Discover the extraordinary history behind one of humankind’s greatest achievements: how we write. The story unfolds through more than 100 objects from the British Library’s extensive collection – some on display for the very first time – bridging 5,000 years and spanning five continents. Follow writing’s remarkable evolution through ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs carved on a stone monument and early examples of printed text, to the art of note-taking as demonstrated by some of history’s greatest minds, and onwards to the ground-breaking digital communication tools we use today. Marvel at thousands of years of human innovation as writing continually enabled progress and opened doors to expression and art. Items as diverse as James Joyce’s annotated copy of Ulysses and a 60,000 strong petition against Bengali partition, sit alongside tattooing instruments and a new take on typography by the Russian artist El Lissitzky to illustrate how writing allows us to enact change and make a lasting creative mark of our own. Be dazzled by gold-laden Japanese calligraphy. Marvel at Mozart’s flourishes. Pore over Alexander Fleming’s pioneering notebook. Finally, consider writing’s future and what role you can play in an increasingly digital world.

The British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB, Friday, April 26, to Tuesday, August 27. Details: 01937 546546 bl.uk

Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition

The exhibition tells the story of Stanley Kubrick, exploring his unique command of the creative design process of film making, from storyteller to director to editor. You'll see step by step how Kubrick created genre-defining worlds for his films and relive iconic scenes from The Shining, Eyes Wide Shut, A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Get an exclusive insight into his mind through rare objects, projections and interviews exploring Kubrick’s special relationship with England and particularly London, as his primary film location and source of inspiration. The exhibition features 700 objects, films and interviews. Expect to see a detailed model of the Centrifuge-set that Kubrick had developed for 2001: A Space Odyssey; film props such as the infamous Born-to-Kill helmet worn by Private Joker in Full Metal Jacket, costumes designed for A Clockwork Orange and Barry Lyndon and much more.

Design Museum, Kensington High Street, W8 6AG, Friday, April 26, to Sunday, September 15. Details: designmuseum.org

Vaisakhi

Head down to Trafalgar Square to enjoy the Vaisakhi festival, a celebration of Sikh and Punjabi tradition, heritage and culture, commemorating the birth of the Khalsa (the inner core of the Sikh faith) over 300 years ago. There will be fun activities for all, including the chance to wear a turban, do arts and crafts and experience history and culture made theatrical. Learn more about Gatka – catch a demonstration of this unique martial art, developed in India and used to great effect by the Sikh warriors. As you enjoy the taste of traditional light bites and Indian tea, learn more about food sustainability at the cooking demo.

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN, Saturday, April 27, 12pm to 5pm. Details: london.gov.uk

Pebblefest

Pebblefest is a packed day of inspiring talks (on eco-fashion, foraging, food waste and more), workshops, an ethical high street where you can shop your values - be that plastic free, vegan, zero waste - and chill out with sustainable cocktails, live music and plenty of good food.

Flat Iron Square, 68 Union Street, SE1 1TD, Saturday, April 27, from 10.30am. Details: eventbrite.co.uk

Tarot

The Feathers conjure up a magical night of circus, music, improvisation, imagination and divination. Live audience tarot card readings will guide the performers in this unpredictable tale, where all is possible, and everything is unexpected. When the first card is turned your journey begins. Will the fool become the empress or the king lose his crown? Will the lovers be trapped in the caverns of the moon or the stars shine down on the hapless hanged man? You can shuffle the deck, you can lay down the cards, but the fates will dictate who will fly and who will fall.

The Vaults Theatre, Launcelot Street, SE1 7AD, Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, 8pm. Details: 020 7401 9603 thevaults.london

Performance Festival

The V&A Performance Festival returns in 2019 to celebrate the themes of Comedy and Music. Come along for a wide range of special events taking place throughout the museum, including live performances, film screenings, talks, tours and workshops.

V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL, Saturday, April 27, to Monday, May 6. Details: 020 79 422000 vam.ac.uk

London Marathon

Join the crowds of spectators lining the 26.2 mile route of the world-famous London Marathon and cheer on your favourite runners as they wend their way through the capital.

Various locations, Sunday, April 28, from 9am. Details: virginmoneylondonmarathon.com

Family Tree Live

Interested in finding out about your family tree, but don’t know where to start? This new two-day family history show has everything you need to get started with researching your ancestors. Sit back and enjoy informative lectures, get hands-on experience in practical workshops, browse the displays, visit the DNA hub and advice stations, and shop for those genealogy essentials – all under one roof.

Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY, Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27. Details: 020 8365 2121 alexandrapalace.com