The Habit of Art
It sounds an archetypal Alan Bennett project: an imagined encounter between WH Auden and Benjamin Britten, 25 years after their relationship had distinctly cooled. Michael Gambon and Alex Jennings star as the pugnacious poet and the pacifist composer; Nicholas Hytner, who turned The History Boys into a global hit, directs
In rep at the Lyttelton, London (020-7452 3000)
17 November – 24 January.

Let it snow

The Marylebone snowman
Originally uploaded by Incessant Flux

At midnight we decided to head outside for a snow ball fight and built this little chap.

Le Mercury, Islington

On Sunday I travelled to Islington to meet G and watch the Euro 2008 cup final. I hadn't been feeling myself most of the day due to being what celebrities call "tired and emotional". A euphemism for miscellaneous recreational activities that involve a period of physiological and psychological recuperation. In my case this was brought on I suspect, by my final Champagne and Watermelon cocktail. Which sent me spinning across the ballroom to the stage, attempting to sing a song, picking up a bass guitar, putting it down again and making my way out into the garden. I don't think anyone actually noticed, or were too bemused to comment.

I arrived at Highbury and Islington station with an hour to spare. Having not eaten, I perused Upper Street and came across Le Mercury. A lemon coloured, French cafe on the Corner of Almeida Street. After taking a long look at the range of cuisine on offer, I entered. The soup du jour was classic French onion with a large cheese covered crouton, I followed this with main course of Crepe au fromage. Crepes filled with goats cheese, roast peppers and artichoke with a crisp leaf salad. All artfully drizzled with sweet balsamic vinegar.

The welcome was very warm and the staff friendly and efficient. The food was served quickly (I hardly had time to read a paragraph of my book) but I never felt hurried.

French onion soup
Crepes au fromage
750ml Hildon sparkling mineral water

Total exc. service
£13.40.

A range of French and European dishes – Starters from £3.95 and mains from £6.95

Le Mercury
140a Upper Street
Islington
N1 1QY

Old Rope at The Phoenix

On a wet Monday night in London town, R and I decided to try out the Phoenix's Old Rope comedy night presented by Tiffany Stevenson and Phil Nicol. Old Rope is a platform for established comics and newcomers to test new material from their notebooks, scraps of dog-eared paper and scribbled-on-hand set lists on a live audience. It is a great experience for enthusiastic comedy fans to see how sets take shape. This time of year is particularly good for audiences as performers are honing their material for the Edinburgh Festival in August. A short set from an exhausted Robin Ince (on his way back from Dublin and Hay-on-Wye) was a nice surprise, as we hadn't even checked line up beforehand. Other performers you are likely to see there include: Wil Hodgson, Hils Barker, Adam Bloom and Simon Munnery.

Old Rope is held at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square. Monday nights. £5 on the door.
Nearest tube - Oxford Circus

Find out more details and how to get there, you could also join the Old Rope Facebook group to see what acts are coming up.