What To See, Do And Experience In May

From open-air theatre shows in Regent’s Park to the highly anticipated RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and tequila tastings to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, here’s what to see and do in London this month.

Watch the new film from the V&A: A showcaser of creativity, this V&A film, Creativity. It’s what makes us, encapsulates just that, taking the viewer on a night-time trip around the museum dancing by everything from William Morris wallpaper to designs from Virgil Abloh. Created with Director Georgia Hudson, expect original choreography by lead dancer Max Cookward, assisted by Magnus Westwell, dance by Tania Dimbelolo, Iona McGuire, Pierre-Antoine Bardot and Emma Belabed, and a soundtrack by North London’s Fredwave.

“It was an honour to create this journey, assimilating the energy of the museum and metabolising its creative heritage into something unique and reflective of a physical re-wilding, a return to freedom. All things can become new things.

We asked musician FredWave to score a completely original track for us, inspired by the heart of the film – freedom and creativity. It is that which keeps us moving forwards. Artists have always alchemised the collective circumstance and challenges – creating opportunity for reflection, inspiration and change. From our music choices, to the fashion choices that bring the bodies to life, to the dance and all the many crew behind the camera – we hope with this film that we continue to add to the lineage of receptivity and inspiration that the V&A houses.” Georgia Hudson, Film Director

Address: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London, SW7 2RL

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Explore the Chelsea Flower Show: The highly anticipated flower show brought to you by the U.K.’s leading gardening charity, The Royal Horticultural Society, is back this month. Highlights are set to include Houseplant Studios, which will provide plant-filled home inspiration, and the Great Pavilion that’ll be packed with sights and scents of spring, with leading growers and nurseries offering both impressive displays as well as expert advice.

Address: London Gate, Royal Hospital Road, Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, SW3 4SR

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Visit the Number One Park Lane pop-up: The InterContinental’s terrace restaurant, Number One Park Lane will launch London’s chef pop-up series on Tuesday 3 May, and to kick it off will be Alex Webb. Winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2020, his residency will last for three months and here, Alex will be serving up a selection of English-inspired sharing plates, perfectly paired with Hattingley Valley wines, English Cider from Sandfords Orchards and three signature cocktails inspired by Alex’s menu.

“I’m so excited to be doing my first pop-up residency at Number One Park Lane. The InterContinental Hotel is a great partner and I can’t wait to start cooking here. I’ve been working with some of Britain’s top producers to create this truly British menu, with some of the fun twists and surprises which I developed during my time on MasterChef: The Professionals.” Alex Webb

Address: InterContinental London Park Lane, One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London, W1J 7QY

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Watch a classic: Calling all Godfather fans, Adrian Wootton OBE, CEO of Film London and Francis Ford Coppola aficionado, offers insight and explores the themes that are weaved into the iconic cinematic story that is The Godfather Part II. The showing will take place on Sunday 15 May 2022, 13:30 at the Barbican Cinema 1.

Address: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

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Visit Regent’s Park: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has long been a summer highlight and following on from the sell-out Romeo and Juliet last year, we can now enjoy Legally Blonde on this stage. Directed by Lucy Moss, co-writer and co-director of the smash-hit musical SIX, Courtney Bowman headlines as the loveable Elle Woods, while Alistair Toovey plays her college sweetheart “bonehead” boyfriend, Warner Huntington III.

Address: The Regent’s Park, Inner Cir, London, NW1 4NU

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Eat a posh sandwich: Yes, it’s British Sandwich Week starting on the 22 May, and everyone’s favorite sarnie maker, Max Halley of Max’s Sandwich Shop has teamed up with surf and turf specialists, Burger & Lobster. Choose from two limited-edition sandwiches in the form of the Lobster Cocktail Roll and the Fish & Chip Lobster Roll, both feature sustainably sourced, wild-caught Atlantic Lobster, and, of course, Max’s signature crushed crisps.

“Burger & Lobster trailblazed London’s love affair with the lobster roll. I’m over the moon to have worked with their Executive Chef, Ken, to marry their classic sandwich with a few of Britain’s most iconic dishes. For me, a great sandwich is about contrasts, sweet and sour, crunchy and soft, and so on. These two banging rolls have them in bucket loads! I am, of course, also extremely proud to continue my work making sure as many people as possible know that there isn’t a sandwich in the world that isn’t improved with a sprinkling of crushed-up crisps!” Max Halley

Address: Available in all nine Burger & Lobster restaurants until Monday 6th June for lunch and dinner.

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Look into the future with Alice Bucknell: Running this month and next at Somerset House, artist and writer Alice Bucknell will present New Worlds — a new series of five talks, screenings and performances, helping us to envision better future worlds.

“New Worlds is an experimental series, merging magic and technology to explore the interconnected topics of sound and ritual, myth-making, non-linear storytelling, ecological futures, and more-than-human narratives.” Somerset House

Address: Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo: Saturday 7 May marks Cinco de Mayo and why not embrace the occasion and the very best of Mexican culture at La Piñata. Having launched last year, it’s the only tequila and mezcal show open to the public in the U.K., and this year there will be a whole host of tequilas and mezcals to work your way through. ¡A huevo!

Address: Tobacco Dock Wapping Lane, London, E1W 2SF