Sasha's latest comic incarnation, plus London's best events!

• Lifestyle
• 08 May 2012
• by Alex Zagalsky

Art 

Writing Britain: Wastelands to Wonderlands  

Wonderful original manuscripts by the likes of William Blake, Chaucer and Coleridge, as well as 20th century writers such as Ted Hughes and Laurie Lee, explore the relationship between the landscapes of Britain and literature. The exhibition also includes maps, letters, photos and notebooks, which provide fascinating insight into how great works were developed and the debt they owe to the environs in which they were conceived. A highlight: The original first handwritten version of Alice's Adventures by Lewis Carroll (see picture below). The author sites The Thames as a great influence on this classic tale.  Ticket booking required. May 11-September 25. www.bl.uk 

Event  

Punch's 350th birthday party  

Love him or hate him (as wife Judy seems to do!), the famous red-nosed, sausage-wielding puppet turns 350-years-old this weekend, a ripe old age worthy of a party. Fittingly the celebrations will take place in Covent Garden, where the squawking glove puppet has been performing since the 17th century. Punch Professors (as they have been called since Victorian times) will be putting on shows from their tiny booths all weekend. May 12-13 in Covent Garden Piazza  

Cinema

The Dictator 

The hype around this film began at the Oscars when Sasha Baron Cohen, dressed as his alter ego Admiral General Aladeen, spilled the 'ashes' of King Jong II on an unsuspecting Ryan Seacrest.  The E! Entertainment presenter did his best to grit his teeth and flash his Hollywood pearly whites, but he was visibly annoyed! The premiere is this week and we're looking forward to The Dictator's next coup (no pun intended). No one is safe on the red carpet outside London's Festival Hall! The movie goes on nationwide release on May 16. Be afraid, be very afraid! See the clip on our new Byou TV channel! 

Theatre 

Dixie's Tupperware Party 

The most outrageously camp performance since Priscilla Queen of The Desert, and then some! Dixie Longate is the fast talking, cross-dressing Tuperware Lady, who's left her children in an Alabama trailer park while she journeys around the world, hosting plastic fantastic parties where she entertains audiences with her outrageous tales and educates them about the alternative uses of her favourite kitchenware. Expect free giveaways, naughty jokes, bad language and lots of laughs. And yes, she does look like a cross between Julian Clary and Grayson Perry! Until May 19 at the Soho Theatre.



The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 

The mere sight of this custom-built state-of-the-art '360 degree' theatre in Kensington Gardens is bound to have your kids jumping with excitement. Just wait until the sound system kicks in, the projections start and the cast start to fly! Grown-ups will love it too, you can't help but be impressed by all the technology. web.lionwitchtheshow.com