With Elvis at the O2 treading its blue suede shoes back to Graceland in January (uh huh), we take a look at some of the other must-see exhibitions going on in and around the capital.
Bond in Motion
London Film Museum, Covent Garden. Now – March 2016
With the newest, hotly awaited Bond adventure SPECTRE hitting cinemas on 26 October, you may as well surrender yourself to Bond mania by visiting the largest official collection of original James Bond vehicles. Among the eye candy is the James Bond staple (Aston Martin DB5), Rolls-Royce Phantom as featured in Goldfinger, as well as a rather more sedate and unexpected Citroen 2CV (even Bond needs to get groceries). Original vehicles from filming are present from all 23 Bond films including SPECTRE and don’t just feature cars – speedboats, motorbikes, tuk tuks, jetpacks and aircraft are all on display. More coach trips to London are expected to include a stop at Bond in Motion over the coming weeks.
The Crime Museum Uncovered
Museum of London, St Pauls. Now – Sunday 10 April 2016
Delve into dark and never-before-seen exhibits from the Metropolitan Police’s Crime Museum, previously only seen by police, forensics and those with an invite. Items from the collection date back to 1875 and feature fascinating and gruesome exhibits from high-profile crimes including the Great Train Robbery and Acid Bath Murder of 1949. See Ronnie Biggs’s personal possessions (among the collection is some Old Spice found at the gang’s hideout) and the Kray Brothers’ briefcase complete with poison and syringe, which was intended to intimidate witnesses at the Old Bailey. There are also notes from the senior investigating officer on the Jack the Ripper crimes, microdots from a Soviet Spy Ring and a mask worn by an executed prisoner at Newgate among many more.
EXHIBITIONISM – The Rolling Stones
Saatchi Gallery, 05 April – 04 September 2016
Wild horses couldn’t drag you away from the first international exhibition of The Rolling Stones, which will cover 2 floors of the Saatchi Gallery on London’s cool Kings Road. The interactive exhibition has been 3 years in the making and is set to be BIG, expected to pack almost as much punch as a live performance. Over 500 Stones artefacts will be on display including iconic costumes, unseen video footage, private photos, personal diaries, rare guitars and other instruments and artwork, from the band and a number of prominent artists across the eras, like Andy Warhol, Alexander McQueen and Ossie Clark. A must-visit for any Stones fan.
Dressed by Angels
Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane. Now – Sunday 03 January 2016
For those not in the know, Angels Costumes have been dressing the world of film, TV and theatre for 175 years, with their range of costumes spanning a heady 8 miles. This exhibition allows fans the chance to see 100 carefully selected costumes worn by on-screen greats like Fred Astaire, Judi Dench and Meryl Streep, as well as from acclaimed programs like Downton Abbey, Only Fools and Horses and Doctor Who. A central display features iconic costumes from Titanic and Indiana Jones.
MCM London Comic Con
ExCel London Exhibition Centre. Friday 23 October – Sunday 25 October 2015.
With Hollywood stars Jared Leto and Mark Ruffalo famously gate-crashing the New York Comic Con this year by going incognito in rather scary masks, all eyes are turned to Comic Con London, the annual convention featuring all things film, cult television, gaming and of course, comics. 2014 featured a star line-up of Daniel Radcliffe and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and 2015 promises former Doctor Who Colin Baker among a few others. There will be guest talks, professional photo shoots and autographic sessions over the course of the 3 days.