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+ How exercise can play a very potent part in mental health Page 22

Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

inside issue 153

Creative Virtual - Vintners Lanes - Here There Are Blueberries Mildreds - Burns Week - Sea Lanes Canary Wharf - Brave Bettie Pink Pilates - Golden Simmer - Cinderella Ice Cream Seller Twerk’N’Jerk - The Lockdown Room - Skuna Crossword - Sudoku

unveiling the

how Canary Wharf Group is celebrating 10 years of Winter Lights with a blockbuster festival of artistic installations Pages 8-10

illuminated

Call our team on 020 7205 4021 or email cmiller@kiddrapinet.co.uk, Image supplied by Canary Wharf Group - Flowerpower by Xavier Boymond-Bonifacio

ypatel@kiddrapinet.co.uk or mzvarykina@kiddrapinet.co.uk celebrating the best of Canary Wharf, Docklands and the new east London people - events - treasure - property - foolishness

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Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

read

feast your eyes on these

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Boisdale Of Canary Wharf Cabot Place

GIG | Heatwave The London-born band behind hits such as The Groove Line, Always And Forever and Boogie Nights promise a night of “funk, soul and disco brilliance”. Feb 6, 9pm, from £38, boisdale.co.uk

Welcome to issue 153 of Wharf Life. Here are some things to get your year off to a good start whether it’s a tour of this year’s Winter Lights, a visit to Vintners Lanes, a powerful production at Stratford East, a delicious discount at Pink Pilates or a succession of shows to check out in the local area

Why Mildreds is a welcome addition to the Wharf’s plant-based dining scene

Where? London Museum Docklands Canary Wharf

TRY | Secrets Of The Thames Writers’ Workshop Led by Gemma Seltzer, this session offers creative exercises to spark ideas for poems and stories before the exhibition opens to visitors. Feb 6, 8.30am-10am, from £25, londonmuseum.org.uk

How Creative Virtual is riding the wave of AI with human partnerships

Where? London Museum Docklands Canary Wharf

EVENT | Meet A Conservator Day Join conservator Luisa Duarte for a series of talks outlining her work preserving waterlogged items such as iron, leather, bone and ivory. Feb 7, 11.15am, 4.15pm, £30, londonmuseum.org.uk

Discover a women-only studio and get a 20% discount at Pink Pilates at Royal Wharf, offering Reformer Pilates classes, private sessions and a whole lot more in E16

flash back

Putting the spotlight on this year’s Winter Lights as the festival turns 10

the joy of six

12 Nora has opened its doors in Wood Wharf, delivering a fresh twist on the cuisine of Istanbul and helping to bring the area to life amid a cavalcade of openings last year. Expect plenty of powerful flavours nora.london Scan this code to read our interview with the brothers behind the new restaurant and discover their influences want more? @wharfwhispers

Why Sea Lanes Canary Wharf is all about making good use of space

Go out on strike at Davy’s Vintners Lanes bowling alley in Greenwich

Every issue Wharf Life covers six areas surrounding Canary Wharf to bring you the best of what’s going on beyond the estate From Page 19

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Editorial email jon.massey@wharf-life.com call 07765 076 300 Advertising email jess.maddison@wharf-life.com call 07944 000 144

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Canary Wharf - West India Quay

on the radar

doing the deals

need to know

get more for less on and around the Wharf

deal

Skuna is launching monthly memberships for its floating Skuna Sauna at West India Quay. For £49 per month, members can enjoy unlimited shared sauna experiences with the first 100 getting a month free. A second sauna is also on its way to the dock skunaboats.com

21 The Lockdown Room has officially opened its doors at Wood Wharf offering craft beers, smash burgers and more. The venue is running a happy hour from 4pm-7pm, Thursday to Saturday with two-for-one on selected drinks. thelockdownroom.com

Feels Like June is offering a pair of set menus from 5pm-7pm during the Winter Lights festival from Jan 20-31. Pay £22 for two courses or £30 for three. feelslikejune.com

Billions from ice cream? It’s a whole new take on the tale of Cinderella

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How Brave Bettie battles to save her favourite forest in this show for kids

£2 26

How Here There Are Blueberries’ arrival at Stratford East is set to deliver a different perspective on the Holocaust via a mystery photo album and thoughtprovoking talks

Buy any coffee in the morning at branches of Notes and present your receipt in the afternoon on the same day to get coffee or matcha for £2. Valid in January notescoffee.com

Your Strongest Year Starts Here REFORMER PILATES AT PINK PILATES ROYAL WHARF

TRIED + TESTED Boston Boneless Jerk Chicken Twerk’N’Jerk twerknjerkuk.com It’s preposterously early in the year to be making a call like this, but if there’s a better deal on the Wharf over the next 12 months, I’m happy to consume my own headgear. This offering, on sale at MMy Wood Wharf’s Caribbean vendor, is what good street food is all about. Generosity, colour, speed, flavour and, above all, value. There’s crunch from the slaw, warmth from the rice, sweetness from the mango salad and sticky, majestic spice from the pile of tender meat all for less than £13 in this bowl. The official description

Great value at £12.95, this spicy, sweet, zingy bowl of food is a real winner rather underplays things – “infused with traditional seasoning, authentically smoked” – frankly fails to do this tingling, explosion of a dish justice. It’s bright, colourful and impossibly moreish, a delight in these colder months but also, somehow a bowl that carries with it the promise of sandy beaches, turquoise seas and the lazy rays of the sun at sunset. It’s one of the best things I’ve had in my mouth at lunchtime for years and well worth making the trip to the east side of the estate for... ★★★★★ Jon Massey

STRENGTHEN • SCUPLT • GLOW Sculpt strength, improve posture and move with confidence in our boutique Reformer Pilates studio — where intelligent movement meets refined design.

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Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

write me

words you don’t know you need

imperiall

noun, fake, from American English subscribe to our FREE Wharf Whispers newsletter and get our content in your inbox fortnightly

Casually throwing around potent threats to take over countries or territories to the benefit of a single nation at the expense of friendships, treaties and alliances so that nobody knows where they stand. Might, apparently, is right... FILM Woolf Works (12A) Cineworld West India Quay cineworld.co.uk

litost

noun, real, from Czech A feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong, often prompted by being confronted with the consequences of one’s own actions. Perhaps the sort of emotion felt by world leaders when their regimes are crumbling all around them.

Stratford-based Wayne McGregor, resident choreographer at the Royal Ballet, takes on the rich world of Virginia Woolf with a huge dance production that rejects traditional narrative structure. Created in 2015, the piece features a collage of themes from the likes of Mrs Dalloway, Orlando and The Waves, the Olivier award-winning production aims to capture the author’s artistic spirit. Audiences can catch a screening of the 210-minute show on February 9 at 7.15pm. Tickets cost £19 for adults and £16.50 for children.

diary dates, listings and ideas to make life in Canary Wharf sweeter.. GIE HER A HAGGIS Burns Week Boisdale Of Canary Wharf boisdale.co.uk As befits Scotland’s unofficial embassy in London, Boisdale Of Canary Wharf has once more decided to reject a single Burns Night in favour of a Burns Week. From January 20-25, the venue will be hosting Burns Week Spectacular events daily in partnership with Tomintoul and Glencadam distilleries. Guests can expect Rat Pack classics and a three-course menu with prices starting at £59 per person including Roast Dumfriesshire Blackface haggis, whisky and a traditional toast. This year, on January 23, from 6.30pm, the venue will also be Boisdale is probably as close as you can get to Scotland in London

staging a Boisdale And The Spectator Grand Burns Night Dinner in association with Ardbeg whisky. Hosted by actor James Cosmo (Game Of Thrones and Braveheart), Christian Seely of AXA Millesimes wines and Jonathan Ray, drinks editor of The Spectator, tickets for the event cost £299. Guests can expect a fourcourse dinner with wine pairings as well as a tutored tasting of five whiskies. The evening will also feature an introduction to James’ creation, Storyman Whisky.

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

REVIEW Mildreds On The Wharf Wood Wharf mildreds.com Strange things are afoot on Wood Wharf. In November, Mallow’s branding was removed from its east London branch to be replaced with that of its parent company, Mildreds. Billed as a “bold new takeover”, the change is (apparently) temporary – running until February. It includes a £24 two-course or £33 three-course pre-theatre menu available from noon-6pm, an offering aimed at tapping into the success of The Hunger Games: On Stage at Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre just over the road. It’s not unreasonable to suppose that Mildreds’ Soho legacy – the restaurant began serving plantbased food there in 1988 – and its proximity to central London’s theatreland might have something to do with the re-brand. Perhaps it will become permanent. Invited to try its offering – welltimed for those eschewing meat for the first 12th of the year or going full Veganuary – on the strength of the food alone, it’s a

welcome arrival on the Wharf. There wasn’t anything wrong with Mallow, but somehow Mildreds just feels more decadent and, if you’re going to go to the expense of eating out, that’s something you really want. To start, my companion and I opt for Teriyaki Cauliflower Cups (£11.90) and Arancini Rossi (£8.50). The former come richly marinated and served on the curled leaves of baby gem lettuce in a portion of five that’s nearly a main course in itself. Dusted with sesame seeds and crunchy with daikon pickles they’re a strong beginning to proceedings. Similarly punchy, the arancini come packed with smoked paprika mushrooms, topped with aioli and sat on smoky little puddles of chipotle ketchup. Already there’s a sense of fun and plenty on the table, with things only improving when the mains arrive. Both are smooth customers – well-sized plates of beautifully presented food with no sprinkling of worthiness. I try the Kiri Hodi Pilau (£19.90), while my companion explores the delights of the Kimchi Bokkcumbap (£16.90). Both dishes are immediate proof that there was no need to bother with a starter.

£8.50

Cost of Arancini Rossi to start at Mildreds’ pop-up in Canary Wharf Kiri Hodi Pilau

try it before it

The servings are generous and both are packed with flavour. Mine comes as a build-it-yourself curry, laced with coconut and texture, especially when mopped up using the £3.90 add-on paratha. This takes a while to arrive but is worth the wait. My companion’s dish comes with a mound of fried rice plus seared cubes of salt and pepper tofu, all bouncing off sparks of spice from a gochujang sauce. It’s a pure expression, perhaps of Mildreds’ magpie-approach to world cuisine – taking flavours from across the world and using them to garnish and enhance the plants it serves. We’ve hardly any room, but the White Chocolate Tirimisu (£9.90) is a fine way to max out on the week’s calories – sweet, creamy and laced with almonds. All-in-all, a triumph and one that’s left me hoping Mallow’s return is unexpectedly delayed like the paratha. ★★★★✩

Jon Massey Scan this code to find out more about Mildreds

White Chocolate Tirimisu PRESENTED BY STRATFORD EAST & TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT

SAT 31 JAN – SAT 28 FEB 2026

Arancini Rossi

Teriyaki Cauliflower Cups

Produced in association with BRIAN & DAYNE LEE AND ELEANOR LLOYD PRODUCTIONS

REG NO. 556251. VAT NO. 233 3120 59. CHARITY REG. NO. 233801.

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why combining the talents of humans and machines is Creative Virtual’s guiding principle

Years since Chris Ezekiel founded Creative Virtual to deliver chatbot technology designed to improve customers’ interactions with organisations Chris says Creative Virtual’s recent work with Australia’s Telstra gives his firm a global showcase of what it can do with AI systems

by Jon Massey

t feels like a big year for Chris Ezekiel. Not only is he gearing up to become a father for the third time – a sibling is on the way for sons Matthew and Harry – but Creative Virtual, the company he founded on the Isle Of Dogs 22 years ago, recently went live with a hybrid human and AI system to help Australia’s largest mobile network better deal with its customers. “We think it’s a world first,” said Chris, who still lives locally despite running the global business as its CEO. “Our project with Telstra sees a large enterprise using conversational AI and chatbot technology in a publicfacing way – a hybrid approach with all the appropriate guardrails in place. “There are other companies doing this with AI, but only on a small scale. We spent the best part of 2025 building the system and linking it in to all their operations. “It’s all about knowing when to give a generative answer, something more structured or a combination of the two. “Our system also does things like summarising, classifying and making all these decisions in real time. I’m very proud that we’ve displaced two of the world’s largest companies in this field – IBM and Salesforce – to deliver this solution. “As soon as Telstra switched it on they doubled their containment rate, which means twice as many interactions have been automated rather than going through to a human in their contact centre. “Now we have a road map to do much more over the course of the next 12 months. Our system is going to be the central point of communication for all their interactions with existing clients and potential customers – all with a clear escalation path for more complex queries or situations. There’s always going to be a need for that.” Chris said that, while the arrival of ChatGPT in 2022 and the subsequent proliferation of large language models that generate responses had been significant for the sector that Creative Virtual

navigating the

Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

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operates in, many firms had done little in the way of implementing the technology. “People have this perception that computers have to be 100% accurate, or the job they do is not acceptable,” he said. “If a human makes a mistake, it often doesn’t get the same level of attention as a machine failing or given an answer that’s wrong. “As a result, many larger organisations were paralysed when it came to putting new systems in place. During this time, we stuck to our guns and did what we’ve always done – tune into what organisations really want. That’s what’s brought us success. “We’ve kept humans in the system to curate answers, working alongside generative AI and other technologies, meaning we can combine their talents when communicating with customers – something that’s reassuring to large organisations such as banks or telecommunications firms. “With these clients there’s a large number of processes that their customers need to go through – billing enquiries or applications for accounts and credit cards, for example. These need high levels of curation and can’t be left to AI. “That’s why clients like our approach. They can have very tightly controlled parts of the process alongside the simpler enquiries that can be dealt with by AI. Our tagline remains completely relevant today – we’re about the science of conversation and finding the best ways to automate those interactions whether that’s via chatbots, texts, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. We’re still doing that, but using the latest techniques. “Our project with Telstra – all that hard work – has resulted in a big global showcase for Creative Virtual. “We have built some bespoke systems for the client, but many of our standard techniques are ready to scale for other organisations. One of the most important elements is the expertise to understand what this technology can and can’t do – what you can measure and how to set an organisation’s expectations. “Having this blueprint as we go into 2026 is absolutely key for our business.” Creative Virtual has built its approach to conversational interaction around the idea that it can rapidly and easily switch out AI systems to benefit its clients as the technology develops. However, Chris believes that while the sector is showing advancement in several areas, it is important to recognise its limitations. “There are some very clever people in the industry who claim

One of the key issues for firms is that, with so much AI generated content, everything will start to feel very similar Chris Ezekiel, Creative Virtual

that we’ll have artificial general intelligence very soon, that computers might even become sentient,” he said. “But we don’t even understand human intelligence at this point. “You have to take a step back and recognise all these new systems such as large language models are still based on silicon chips – ones and zeros – backed by incredible processing power, but a model that hasn’t changed since the invention of the computer. “With quantum computing, biological systems or a combination of the two, it may be possible for AI to do a great deal more, but will it become self aware, will it be able to feel things? “I think its impossible to say that our existing computer models will take over the world. I’m not arguing that we haven’t seen advances in systems that can predict the next word or phrase or that these engines can’t simulate intelligence or awareness. “But that to have emotions the computers that run them will need more than ones and zeroes. I’m sceptical that artificial general intelligence is just around the corner, even if discussing it makes for a good story in the media.” One thing Chris is certain of is that AI technologies will be increasingly used to automate large parts of our lives. “AI will do many of the jobs humans do today and robotics will come increasingly into play, such as self-driving cars,” he said. “It is going to be an exciting area and AI is already being used to help doctors with diagnostics and to process large volumes of data in many different fields. “That’s how we use the technology, for customer services, training virtual sales people and bringing our systems into the retail experience. “There will be robots in stores capable of retaining far more information about products on sale than a human ever could, for example.” That’s not to say AI is perfect or that the large companies involved in developing new models aren’t overly optimistic about the value of their creation. “With all the billions being

against real-life conversations – a way for our client to see our systems work and that gives them confidence. “We launched with them during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday periods and it was the best possible time to stress-test what we’d put in place. Organisations change their content all the time, so our system had to know Telstra’s products, offerings and sales information and deliver that to customers without error. “It hasn’t been easy to achieve that, but the feedback from them is that this is the first product they’ve had in years that has been on time, on budget and on spec, which is pretty incredible. It’s already delivering real business results.”

invested, there is, perhaps, a bubble – but AI is not going to go away as a tool, just as the end of the dot com boom wasn’t the end of the internet,” said Chris. “This technology is very much with us and it will be used to automate many things that are not automated at the moment. “Overall, I think it will enhance our lives and it will encourage us to be more creative as people. “Who wants to sit in a contact centre answering the same mundane questions day-in, day-out? We have to evolve our technology so the workforce can do more involving things. “One of the key issues for ﬁrms is that, with so much AI generated content, everything will start to feel very similar. “That’s why I think our current approach is the correct one. Having humans work alongside AI has always felt to me like the perfect combination. “We need human curation so that organisations are able to retain their voice and project their brand whether it’s an AI or a person talking to their customers. “That’s one of the attributes of our project with Telstra. Its strength has been in the testing we’ve put the systems through

key details Creative Virtual is based in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square and operates globally. Go to creativevirtual.com for more information

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6 how Winter Lights 2026 invites visitors into a Dreamscape as artists fill Canary Wharf with powerful illuminated works by Jon Massey

he biggest cultural event in Canary Wharf is set for an extra special return this month. Winter Lights 2026 will be the 10th time the estate has been filled with illuminate artworks and the latest festival features a bumper crop in celebration. Running every day from January 20-31, with pieces switched on from 5pm-10pm, the latest Winter Lights extends across the whole of Canary Wharf, with highlights from Westferry Circus to Wood Wharf. Attracting many thousands of people each year, the free festival is an enormous team effort, spearheaded by Canary Wharf Group’s Arts And Events team. “Selecting which works to display is a tough process,” said Lowri Harries, associate curator of public art at CWG, who has chosen this year’s installations alongside Arts And Events manager Camilla McGregor. “In response to our open call we had the most submissions we’ve ever received – 225. It probably takes about 10 hours to go through them because we want to make sure we’ve really considered the relevant ones in detail.” Camilla added: “Not all festivals operate this way, but I think it’s very democratic because we really are open to all artists. At each festival, the majority of the pieces on show come from our open call. “Each time we do it, we’ll know some of the artists but many will be new to us.” Winter Lights 2026 has been shaped with a theme, aimed at inspiring creatives to respond with work. Lowri said: “I’m really excited about this year’s because there are a few ways we’ve given it a different identity. “The festival is already well established in London – lots of people know about it – but we’ve tried to give it a bit extra. The theme is Dreamscape, which we feel is open-ended enough to allow lots of different submissons but brings to mind the idea of dreams and landscapes. “Our space is unique with the architecture familiar to so many people and it’s meant to spark imagination and curiosity. We’ve commissioned artist Anna Lomax

to create an exhibition poster for us with a limited run, which will be on sale at Circle Collective in Jubilee Place during the event. “We’ll stock about 500 of the prints, which people can buy during the festival and visitors can also get a printed brochure too. Anna has also created three installations for us, which will be in the malls, so we’re back inside for the first time in a while.” Camilla added: “With the theme, we wanted something that would appeal to everyone. “It’s evocative of a childlike interest in the world and artists were free to approach that in any way they liked. The intention is for Dreamscape to really tie everything together.” A full list of installations and their locations is available over the page, but Lowri and Camilla have picked out some highlights and works to look out for. “I’m really looking forward to seeing Aether by Architecture Social Club in Montgomery Square,” said Camilla. “The artist behind it is Max Cooper, who is very well known. It features light, a soundscape and music and is more of a performance than a sculpture. People will be able to walk under it and it’s always great to use space so visitors can get different perspectives on the pieces.” Lowri said: “There are a number of new commissions specifically for this festival. “East London artist Marcus Lyall is returning with Manifestation – a projection piece in Wood Wharf. “We’ve also tried to include more interactive exhibits this year and it will be really interesting to see how audiences react to that. “There’s Lacto-Reacto-Light by Jack Wimperis at Canary Riverside, which is a large wall made from recycled milk bottles that reflects the movements of its audience. “There’s also InBloom by Kumquat Lab at Wren Landing – a work about the pollination of flowers with orbs that change colour when hands are moved over them, with sounds emitted during the process.” Camilla added: “I’m also really excited to see how people interact with At The Hand by LaCroix at Harbour Quay Gardens. It’s a holographic hand controlled by the audience down beside the water.” Another showstopper to look

The number of installations shown at the first Winter Lights in 2015. This year’s festival features 16 plus nine in Canary Wharf’s permanent collection Visitors can find Trispheric Garden by Reelize Studio in Cabot Square

see the

Flower Power by Aerosculpture, Jean-Pierre David and Christian Thellier will be on show at Westferry Circus

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Canary Wharf - West India Quay

The festival is already well established – lots of people know about it – but we’ve tried to give it a bit extra for its 10th edition Lowri Harries, Canary Wharg Group

Colour Rush by Liz West will be on show in Wood Wharf’s East Lane

Lowri Harries

out for will be Amplitudes by Limbic Cinema. Projected onto mist in Eden Dock, the piece will be on a constant loop at the heart of the Wharf. Camilla said: “We’re doing something new this year – for the first time ever, the public will be able to vote for their favourite installations, either via QR code where they are displayed or on our website.” The winner will then be announced online and via social media to celebrate the top piece’s popularity. Regarding logistics, CWG’s advice is to visit the festival on a weekday, with weekends expected to be extremely busy. “We’ve extended free parking for three hours to weekdays as well as weekends for those spending £10 in Waitrose to encourage people to come during the week,” said Lowri. “We’ll be hosting Winter Lights Bites street food hubs at Jubilee Park, Montgomery Square and Union Square, curated by Karnival during the festival. “These traders will be offering 20% off food Monday-Wednesday, so it’s a great time to visit.” Restaurants and bars are also likely to be busy during the festival, so early booking is recommended. Camilla said: “We can’t wait for people to see this year’s Winter Lights. It’s art that’s accessible and free to enjoy. The event brings an audience to the estate and that’s great for the businesses here but it’s also a real benefit to Canary Wharf in introducing people to our cultural offering.” key details Winter Lights 2026 runs from January 20-31 from 5pm-10pm and is free to attend. There are 16 special installations to discover alongside nine from Canary Wharf’s permanent art collection. For a map of the location of all the artworks, turn to Page 10. Go to canarywharf.com

Camilla McGregor

Discover more about Winter Lights 2026 and plan your route to make sure you visit all the installations with the festival’s official map. Printed A4 versions will be available across the estate from January 20-31 Page 10 Right, InBloom by Kumquat Lab is set to be displayed in Wren Landing

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6c For Ever and Ever and Ever Jubilee Place Mall, L–1

SOL Crossrail Place Roof Garden

7 8

FloWe PoWe Westferry Circus

In Bloom Wren Landing

Trispheric Garden Cabot Square

Six by Nico

Brother Barbarella Marcus

Accessible entrance only

Colour Rush

13 East Lane

Access 12 Un-Reel North Lane

Union Square

11 Sanctuary

Union Square

10 Hulahoop

Water Street

Heron Quays

9 Blueprint

Bank Street

EDEN DOCK

No.35 Mackenzie Walk

CABOT PLACE

Eden Dock

16 Amplitudes

Harbour Quay Gardens

15 At The Hand

West Lane

The Pelligon

14 Manifestation

South Dock Walk

West Wintergarden

Entrance

The Ivy

JUBILEE PLACE

JUBILEE PARK

Bank Street

Entrance into Jubilee Place Mall

Exit only

WINTER LIGHTS BITES

South Colonnade

The Alchemist

Caravan

The Parlour

Entrance

Reuters Plaza

ONE CANADA SQUARE

CANADA SQUARE PARK

Upper Bank Street

The Clew Cubitt Bridge

bit.fall Chancellor Passage

Roe

Water Street

One Park Drive

Churchill Place

CHURCHILL PLACE

Brewdog

Churchill Place

Captivated by Colour Adams Plaza Bridge

Your Colours D Shine Riverside

C Stack Newfoundland Place

SOUTH DOCK

WINTER LIGHTS BITES

MONTGOMERY SQUARE 640 East

Waitrose

Entrance into Canada Place Mall

CANADA PLACE

15 HARBOUR QUAY GARDENS

Emilia's Crafted Pasta Mercato Metropolitano

George Street

Patty&Bun

Nora

Lightbenches Jubilee Park

Scan here for full details

on the Wharf (Skyscraper) H Whale Water Street

Crossrail Place, L -1 Quayside

G Elantica ‘The Boulder’

Cafe Seek

Super Shakes Ong Lai

30 Harbord Square

50–60 Charter Street

Mama Li

Charter Street

UNION 10 SQUARE 11

The WINTER Winter Club LIGHTS BITES

Brannan Street

BLACKWALL BASIN

Crossrail Place, L -1 Quayside

Mildreds

Crate

F We Could Meet

640 East

15 Water Street

The Cube

CARTIER CIRCLE

Canary Wharf Theatre

Churchill Place

All areas are accessible via lifts. Please ask a member of staff for assistance. Please be aware that some installations have flashing lights. In adverse weather conditions, we may close installations for safety reasons. All details correct at time of print.

Aether Montgomery Square

Canada Place Mall, L–1

6b For Ever and Ever and Ever

Lacto-Reacto-Light Riverside

Cabot Place Mall, L0

6a For Ever and Ever and Ever

Out of Body Experience Riverside

TOILETS

INFORMATION POINT

10 Bank Street

12 Bank Street

B Henry Addington

Humble Grape

Canary Wharf

North Colonnade

Montgomery Street

UBER BOAT

DLR

RIVER THAMES

ELIZABETH LINE

JUBILEE LINE

FOOD STALLS

Newfoundland

Amerigo Vespucci

South Colonnade

6aPLACE

Entrance into CabotCABOT Place Mall

Market Halls

Hawksmoor

West Lane

PERMANENT COLLECTION INSTALLATION

WINTER LIGHTS INSTALLATION

RIVERSIDE

CUBITT STEPS

CABOT SQUARE

Soma

Kricket

Passage

KEY

WESTFERRY CIRCUS

West India Avenue

Exit only

Electric Shuffle

North Colonnade

The Cocktail Club

Blacklock

Notes

CROSSRAIL PLACE

Upper Bank Street

Canary Wharf Pier

oa ry R fer t s We

RIVERSIDE

North Dock Footbridge

WREN LANDING

Fairgame

Frobisher Passage

Entrance

Columbus Courtyard

Clays

Fishermans Walk

NORTH DOCK

Look out for the pink arrow signage onsite to help guide you around

Charter Street

Throughout Canary Wharf 5–10pm Free

Spectacular light installations and immersive art Tue 20 – Sat 31 January 2026

Adams Plaza Bellmouth

Dishoom

Park Drive

rW ga raf al

WINTER LIGHTS

10 Adelaide Place

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Limehouse - Wapping - Whitechapel - Tower Hill

£9

Cost of tickets to see the show at Half Moon Theatre in Limehouse

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The George Tavern Whitechapel

GIG | Ray Laurél The London-born artist plays The George with latest release Sinner channelling influences such as Prince, Billy Lemos and Dijon. Expect a mystic narrative. Feb 4, 7.30pm, £12.65, thegeorgetavern.london Where? Troxy Limehouse

Brave Bettie is suitable for children aged 3-8

protecting the

GIG | The United Kingdolls Five years on from delivering hit Bing Bang Bong, Tayce, Bimini, A’Whora and Lawrence Chaney are reuniting for an international tour. Catch them here. Jan 31, 7pm, £53.71, troxy.co.uk Where? Wilton’s Music Hall Wapping

STAGE | Debate: Baldwin Vs Buckley This restaging of a debate between civil rights campaigner James Baldwin and conservative William F Buckley Jr brings fresh life to their words. Feb 3-7, times vary, from £13.50, wiltons.org.uk

how Brave Bettie invites audiences to witness one girl’s fight to save her beloved, threatened woodlands by Jon Massey

alf Moon Theatre in Limehouse is set to host a “magical woodland adventure” for kids aged 3-8 and their adults next month. Brave Bettie has been writte by Tatenda Naomi Matsvai and promises a playful and powerful production featuring poetry, songs, live music and stories. Co-produced by the venue and Z-Arts, the show explores resilience, self-be-

lief, social activism and the environment. The story follows Bettie and the journey she goes on when the council threatens to cut down her favourite tree in the forest she loves. The night before the woodcutters come, Bettie meets a “bold and mysterious” character named Paida Moyo. Together the pair embark on a journey of bravery, self-discovery and friendship as they battle to save the tree. Audiences are invited to witness their story as they fight to save the woodlands

seasonal gig

with help from local critters and the forest itself. key details Brave Bettie is set to run at Half Moon Theatre from February 5-10 (excluding February 8). Performances take place at various times with tickets costing £9. The show is suitable for ages 3-8. Go to halfmoon.org.uk Scan this code to find out more about the show

Greek songstress Peggy Zina is gearing up for an East End gig at Troxy in Limehouse on January 25. Her One Night In London performance kicks off at 7pm with tickets starting at £48 troxy.co.uk Scan this code to find out more about the gig or to purchase tickets via the venue’s website want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Isle Of Dogs - Poplar - Blackwall

£9.88

Price of a bowl of Braised Pork Rice at Golden Simmer in Canary Garden on the Isle Of Dogs Braised Pork Rice and Blazing Clams (served chilled) at Golden Simmer, below

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The Space Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | Hansel Und Gretel Billed as an “edgy, dream-like, synaesthetic, urban reimagining of Humperdinck’s classic fairy tale” this operatic take on the story is sung in German. Feb 14-15, times vary, £20, space.org.uk Where? Theatreship Isle Of Dogs

STAGE | Inner Circle Enjoy the talents of Tuudi, Summer Harrison, Pricey, Ella Crow and Elise Fleming Grant at this gig-cum-theatre performance showcase. Jan 29, 7pm, £14, theatreship.co.uk

dangerously

Where? Theatreship Isle Of Dogs

GIG | Traditional Folk Music Session Led by Owen Spafford, this evening of communal music making in the floating venue’s bar is a chance for listeners and players to enjoy some tunes. Feb 9, 7pm-10pm, free, theatreship.co.uk

flash back

how rich and fiery dishes at Golden Simmer deliver on taste even if the heat is missing from the side offering by Jon Massey

O The University Of Sunderland In London offers a range of courses in health and social care and nursing at its Isle Of Dogs campus, alongside pioneering research projects in collaboration with local firms london.sunderland.ac.uk Scan this code to read our interview with Dr Banhishikha Ghosh to find out more about the options and her work want more? @wharfwhispers

ne of the great pleasures of living in London is the opportunity to walk a short distance into the city and encounter dishes from all over the world. Canary Garden, located on the edge of West India South oc , ust oﬀ arsh all, boasts a small gathering of street food businesses as ell as a permanent cafe and plenty of places to escape the elements. Visiting on a Sunday, I opted for Golden Simmer, a relatively recent addition to the marketplace. Housed in a sleek silver trailer, the presentation is a be ildering arra of options from Asia including

familiar dishes such as Dim Sum and Shredded Peppered Chicken alongside more exotic fare such as Pork Stomach Chicken soup and something called “Golden Fortune Intestines”. Unsure whether the latter would trul bring m intestines golden fortune, I opted instead for Braised or ice at a er reasonable looking £9.88, with a side of Blazing Clams for £6.88. main came as meat and mushrooms thoughtfully separated from the rice in a pot-topping plastic tray all neatly covered with a hat made of lettuce leaves. On a chill January day it deli ered a burst of armth on the tongue ith rich, umami ﬂa ours and a moreish quality that meant consumption was indecently rapid on my part.

Surprisingly, for a dish advertised with a picture of crustaceans surrounded b ﬂames, the clams turned out to be ser ed cold Fortunately, the little shells were so richly laced with chilli and garlic, what they lacked in heat they more or less made up for in taste. ad this been clear from the menu, however, I think I’d probabl ha e s er ed them, gi en the ill, chill ind blo ing from the west. That said, Golden Simmer makes a prett decent ﬁst of things for diners interested in broadening their culinary experiences. ★★★✩✩ Follow @canarygarden_london on Instagram for more about the al fresco market just south of Canary Wharf on the Isle Of Dogs

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Rotherhithe - Deptford - Bermondsey

£9.50

Price of a ticket to see Cinderella Ice Cream Seller at The Albany in Deptford

The show is presented by Little Seeds Music, with the story told by Talvi and Caldwell

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? The Albany Deptford

LEARN | Co-Create Workshops Catch the final two workshops in this series for those aged 12-24, aimed at equipping young people with skills in storytelling, design and media Jan 27, Feb 3, 5pm, free, thealbany.org.uk Where? Corner Corner Canada Water

GIG | DJ Leopold The DJ, radio host and label owner from North London promises a journey into his expansive taste with plenty of jazz and soul influences. Jan 30, 7pm-10pm, free, cornercorner.com Where? Deptford Lounge Deptford

delighting in the

TRY | Introduction To Lino Printing These workshops offer participants the chance to try out lino printing with cutting sessions followed by quarterly print days. Every second and third Wednesday. Select Wednesdays, 2pm, free, deptfordlounge.org.uk

how Cinderella Ice Cream Seller delivers a lively, musical take on a well-trodden rags-to-riches story by Jon Massey

anto season may be over, but that doesn’t mean it’s goodbye to fairytales. Aimed at kids aged 5-10, Cinderella Ice Cream Seller at The Albany promises a deliciously frozen retelling of a classic story. Presented by Little Seeds Music, the show recounts the rags to riches saga of Cinders, the founder of the kingdom’s most beloved ice cream company with a parlour

on every street corner. But how did she go from being a humble manufacturer to a multi-billionaire business woman with her own sweetly frozen empire? Two of her loyal employees, Talvi and Caldwell, tell the tale while also confronting their own desires, hopes and “the magic that lies within each scoop”. Audiences can expect a blend of storytelling, live music and theatrical illusions that promise to tickle taste buds and warm chilled hearts.

key details Cinderella Ice Cream Seller comes to The Albany in Deptford on February 15, with performances at 1pm and 3pm. Tickets cost £9.50 and the show lasts an hour and five minutes. Go to thealbany.org.uk for more information Scan this code to find out more about the show

flash back

Uber Boat By Thames Clippers’ Orbit Clipper has begun her phased introduction on the ferry route between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf – the first cross-river, all-electric commercial craft in London thamesclippers.com Scan this code to read our interview with Thames Clippers co-founder and CEO Sean Collins want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

£12.95

take a breath

by David Lefebvre Sell

Cost of a game at Vintners Lanes in Greenwich

how Vintners Lanes marries Davy’s cosy aesthetic with an exactingly fitted 10-pin bowling alley in Greenwich by Jon Massey

ny time you see a social media post about the benefits of talking therapy, you see some guy comment saying: “The gym Is my therapy, bro”. Ok, they probably don’t type, “bro”, but I always hear it in your head. If you are one of those people, you might need to go to therapy. But, annoyingly, the gym can be enough therapy for some people. In a world that can feel so ungrounded, exercise takes us back to ourselves. And the endorphins. Oh, the endorphins. Exercise is an extremely effective intervention for depression and anxiety. It can help with sleep and overall energy levels, as Whenever someone well as boost your self esteem. Because knowing comes to me seeking that you look good naked therapy for anxiety won’t solve all your problems, but it won’t hurt and/or depression, I either. In addition to this, always recommend however, we need to also have difficult conversaexercise to start with tions with ourselves and David Lefebvre Sell others. It’s no good, in the long-run, just discharging the negative build up of emotion if we just keep making the same mistakes. You’re not going to learn about your attachment style in the gym, or have an epiphany about the cycles of generational trauma in a spin class. Get it? Anyway, if someone comes to me seeking therapy for anxiety and/or depression, I always recommend exercise to start with, if they aren’t already doing some. It doesn’t always help, but it has to be part of the conversation. What I’d like to know, is with all the gyms in the capital, all that running and lifting of heavy things and such, how is it that no-one has figured out how to generate electricity from all that effort? Gyms could sell that back to the national grid. Imagine all that depression and anxiety and existential dread being used to power the very city that caused it. It’s like a perpetual motion machine designed in Hell. I wonder how long before Elon Musk starts selling a new protein powder called Soylent Green?

David Lefebvre Sell is a Greenwich-based psychotherapist and Yoga instructor who teaches at Third Space in Canary Wharf Follow @davetheyogi on X and Instagram and @DavidLefebvreSellYogaAndPsychotherapy on FB Scan this code for information about David’s work as a transpersonal counsellor and psychotherapist

s a pioneer of city wine bars with a distinctive Victorian feel, Davy’s decision to open a bowling alley in Greenwich at first glance loo s a little out of character for a 156-year-old wine merchant. aunched ust o er a ear ago, intners anes is tuc ed a a behind a s ine aults and offers bo lers si three uarter length lanes amid the storied bric s of an old bre er turned arehouse It’s a far cry from the sport’s traditional UK home – vast metal sheds on retail par s pac ed ith e uipment and the multi sense assault of arcade machines thin first ent bo ling in m s and that e perience as e actl hat didn t ant Vintners Lanes to be,” said James a , chairman of the business and the fifth generation of his famil to or in it hile the game as fun, hat ent ith it was less so. “What we wanted to do was to create something that provides a reall good e perience for customers throughout hat s or ing for us no and e re immensel proud of it f ou d said to me at the beginning of this pro ect that it ould loo li e this and perform this a , ould ha e bitten our hand off James is somewhat prone to modesty. Last April, Vintners Lanes was named amongst the se en best enues for the sport in the orld at the th annual o ling entre rchitecture nd esign ards in e as the onl alley to be recognised in the UK. auded for its interior, it marries the polished e acting oods of the lanes, slee steel rac s of blac bo ling balls and subtle screens ith the cos comforts and anti ued aesthetic more commonl found across the Davy’s portfolio. Having operated as a wine merchant since 1870, the company opened he oot nd logger near orough ar et in , mar ing its entr into the hospitalit sector hat glorious establishment started a trend for wine bars in the capital with its owner going on to open at many more sites including a length stint in Canary Wharf.

er the decades, the business has gro n and changed oda it operates wine bars, tapas spots and ine shops on its public facing side. t also continues to run a thriving wholesale operation, suppl ing ine to a ide range of customers and businesses t s an e pression of a compan that, despite trading for more than a centur and a half, isn t a erse to a bout of e olution here and there In fact, Davy’s long had plans for its former arehouse in Greenwich, initially intending to con ert it into o ce space “We canned that idea after Covid as people weren’t going into o ces, said ames e had alread done a oint enture ith oudini scape abo e a s ine aults in reen ich and e reall li ed the ibe of different people coming into our enue e loo ed again at the space in the arehouse e had at the bac of our reen ich enue be ond Vintners Yard – which coincided ith the arri al of our ne , ar arric , ho alread had bowling in his mind having pre iousl or ed for enpin e as ed oursel es hether e could ph sicall fit an alle in there and the answer was ‘yes’, hich uite surprised us he length of the lanes is normal for an urban location and e e managed to fit si in along side a itchen and bar, ma ing the enue self su cient he building itself is beautiful and really deserves to be seen. We’re open every day for bowling and also offer ids parties and even corporate events. “Vintners Lanes has been a er interesting ourne and it s starting to mature into a good business e re getting lots of boo ings, but there s still more space for us to fill intners ard, ust outside, is reall attracti e to people al ing past and it helps that we’re right ne t to the station e host li e music sometimes as ell as other e ents, li e beer festi als, as it s become a bit of a destination. t s full of old ine bar furni ture ith a bar and a barbecue shed it s an e citing place to come to.” ames, ho oined the business in and has seen e tensi e change over that time, said the hospitalit sector as currentl ma ing the ne s for the signifi cant challenges it faces at present. otabl , a s too the

using the space

Davy’s chairman, James Davy Image by Jon Massey / Wharf Life

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich

What we wanted to do was to create something that provides a really good experience throughout. We’re immensely proud of it.

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Indigo At The O2 Greenwich Peninsula

James Davy, Davy’s

The former warehouse offers six, three-quarter size bowling lanes

Vintners Lanes serves up burgers and pizzas alongside beers, wines, spirits and bowling

decision to close the Crusting Pipe – a wine bar it opened in 1980 in Covent Garden after its performance in the evenings dropped away making trading no longer sustainable. “Sadly we left that area and some customers were appalled – even angry – but, after 8pm, the business had changed over the years and it took a dip post-Brexit and then again after Covid,” said James. “If you’re losing a session a day, that’s not sustainable and we have to be careful about how we operate. It is now more expensive to employ people and to run the premises we have.” Despite the economic headwinds, James believes there’s still opportunity for good businesses delivering value to customers. He said: “We hear about closures in the news, but there are plenty of people doing well. It’s still a fantastic experience to go to a nice venue that’s well run – it’s a good use of money and time and e er bod beneﬁts from that “The closures are partly to do with cost, but also a consequence of evolution. Hospitality has become slightl more di cult especially when you’re providing a service to commuters as much of our business does. But it’s more rewarding when you can make it work. I’d like us to open more hybrid wine shops in the future, where you can get a drink as well as buy a bottle. You’ve always got to be glass half full – where we’ve got it right, it’s wonderful to see. “With Vintners Lanes, the venue appeals to an adult audience, although we really welcome kids. It’s a place where parents choose to bring their young ones and we probably sell more and better wine than most bowling alleys.” key details Vintners Lanes is located directly behind Davy’s Wine Vaults next to Greenwich station and is open daily. A single game of bowling costs £12.95 per adult. Go to vintnerslanes.co.uk

The venue’s bar, left, and cosy interor All other images supplied by Davy’s

Scan this code to find out more about Vintners Lanes

GIG | Roby Lakatos And Ensemble Hailing from a long line of Romani violinists and mentored early on by Yehudi Menuhin, Lakatos promises an evening of dazzling jazz improvisation. Jan 31, 7pm, returns only, theo2.co.uk Where? Woolwich Works Woolwich

EVENT | The Holistic ADHD Summit This event aims to give attendees practical, sciencebacked tools to help manage ADHD in daily life via a series of talks and workshops. Jan 31, 9am, £48.60, woolwich.works Where? Magazine London Greenwich Peninsula

GIG | Rossi The house music producer promises a high energy performance packed with “electro-infused grooves that “guarantee the dance floor will be torn up”. Jan 31, 5pm-11pm, from £32, broadwicklive.com

ringing the changes

Greenwich Peninsula welcomed The Dial towards the end of last year, a new sports bar, microbrewery and restaurant that’s seen Meantime beer once more created in its borough of origin thedialldn.com Scan this code to read our interview with KG Hospitality, which is operating the Peninsula Square venue want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

20%

Discount Pink Pilates is offering new and existing customers on their first session in 2026 with code WHARF20. The offer applies to all reformer classes, class packs, private one-to-one sessions and massage treatments. Check with the studio for details

Pink Pilates offers a wide range of classes at its Royal Wharf studio

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Cody Dock Canning Town

EVENT | Big Garden Bird Watch 2026 Everyone from novices to experienced birders are invited to spot feathered friends all around the ecological regeneration project. Jan 24, 10.30am-1.30pm, free, codydock.org.uk Where? Excel London Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | Evolve Live! 2026 This conference is for event professionals in membership organisations, designed as a platform to share best practices and innovative approaches. Jan 30, 9am, registration, excel.london Where? Fold Canning Town

CLUB | 1985 Music x Fold LDN Enjoy quality drum and bass with the likes of Visages, Monty, Cesco, Napes, Tasha, Settle Down and Quartz as the takeover returns to east London. Feb 13 , 11pm-6am, £28.80, ra.co

making moves

Despite cancelling a relocation to Dagenham, it now looks like Billingsgate and Smithfield fish and meat markets will find a new home in Royal Docks if the City Of London Corporation’s new plans come to fruition royaldocks.london Scan this code to find out more about the proposals to co-locate the markets at Albert Island want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Royal Docks - Canning Town

making an

how Pink Pilates in Royal Wharf is all set to help women reach their exercise goals, as 2026 gets going in earnest by Jon Massey

n celebration of the New Year and its launch, a women-only Reformer Pilates studio in o al oc s is offering readers a discount on their first session in 2026. Pink Pilates opened its doors at Royal Wharf in ctober, promising a fresh and uplifting approach to mo ement and ellbeing for its clients tell me more ocated in o al rest enue at the east ondon de elopment, the studio has been designed to support both the physical and mental health of those coming through its doors in ilates offers a ide range of classes designed to suit different needs and life stages, suitable for omen of all ages and abilities t also offers one on one sessions tailored to indi idual goals and pri ate group sessions for up to eight people, as ell restorati e massage aimed at releasing tension, soothing tired muscles and calming the mind why Pilates? The studio says the system of mo ement is idel recognised for its abilit to impro e core strength, posture, fle ibilit , balance, and mobility, while also offering po erful mental ell being benefits t adds that ilates practice can help reduce stress, impro e mood, support reco er from in ur and enhance o erall ualit of life Pink Pilates’ focuses on wellness rather than perfection, based on a belief that mo ement should feel empo ering rather than pressurised. To that end, its classes are designed to help omen feel strong, confident, and energised, both physically and mentally, ithout unrealistic e pectations or one si e fits all approaches

Group exercise as well as private sessions are available Images supplied by Pink Pilates

why pink? The studio has embraced the colour throughout its or out spaces and branding, aiming to create a feminine, fun en iron ment that pro ides an uplifting, inspiring atmosphere ntentionall different from more traditional fitness en iron ments, in ilates ants to offer omen a o ful setting here the can feel comfortable, confident and at ease

what is on offer? lasses include sessions for begin ners, lymphatic core, rehabilitation, prenatal and mummy. There are also programmes for teenagers and slower-paced yin-inspired sessions. he studio sa s eformer ilates is particularl beneficial for those reco ering from in ur or managing ongoing ph sical concerns, as e ercises can be adapted and supported using spring based resistance essions are led b e pert instructors who prioritise safe techni ue, indi idual support, and inclusi e teaching anything else? in ilates is also a ailable for pri ate hire hether for corpo rate ellbeing sessions, team bonding e periences or bespo e celebrations such as birthdays or special occasions. Full details are a ailable online how do I get to the studio? The studio is located within easy al ing distance of ontoon oc DLR station and close to bus stops on North Woolwich Road. Royal Wharf can also be accessed ia ber oat hames lippers ri er bus ser ices using the de elopment s dedicated pier what do classes cost? here are a ariet of a s to access classes at Pink Pilates. ne off group sessions cost with discounted packs of classes also a ailable he studio also offers monthl memberships starting at for four classes ri ate sessions for one or t o people start at , hile classes for teenage girls aged start at how do I access the discount? e or e isting customers should use code WHARF20 hen boo ing to get off their first session in 2026 at Pink Pilates. key details in ilates pin pilates on nsta and o cialpin pilates on TikTok – is located in Royal rest enue at o al harf, Classes can be booked online. Go to pinkpilates.co.uk

Scan this code to find out more about Pink Pilates

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

£10

Starting price for tickets to most of the play’s performances at Stratford East during its run

why Here There Are Blueberries is an apt meditation on the normalisation of barbarity that echoes in the present day by Jon Massey

lot of people asked us early on if, by making a play about Auschwitz, we were humanising Nazis,” said Matt Joslyn, executive director of Tectonic Theater and producer of Here There Are Blueberries. “It’s an interesting question, because we don’t have to humanise them. They are human – the danger is to dehumanise them.” he pla , a ulit er ri e ﬁnalist that has garnered widespread recognition over a series of runs in the States, is set to get its UK première at Stratford East with shows from January 31 until February 28. It tells the story of a mysterious photo album that arrived on the desk of a US Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist’s desk one day in 2007. Inside are what Matt describes as a i selﬁes photos ta en by and of those working at the Auschwitz concentration camp complex. The piece takes its name from a handwritten caption in the album – “hier gibt es blaubeeren” – beside a photo of young women and a man enjoying bowls of blueberries, while another man plays the accordion in the background. “The journey of the play really began in 2012, when Moises Kaufman – its co-author – saved the front page of the New York Times with a photo that haunted him,” said Matt. “It sat on his desk for three years before he wrote to the museum archivist. They were originally going to meet for half an hour, but ended up spending three days together. “It was during that time Moises began to realise the possibility of a play was in the fact that uncovering the history of the album and its images was a detective story. “It was about asking what this enigmatic object is and why

What the play is really trying to do is to encourage audiences to contemplate their own role in the world Matt Joslyn, Tectonic Theater

it’s so strangely compelling and powerful. “He was drawn to the images, but also to how the archivist untangled the tale of who made the album, what it depicts and what the people featured were doing. It’s important to note that we considered whether the world needed another Holocaust play. “The atrocity has been the subject of more works of art – pla s, boo s and films than an other event in human history. But this album did have something different to sa among other things raising the question how people could eat blueberries next to a concentration camp where 1.1million people were being murdered?” Presented by Tectonic, the play was conceived and directed by Moises who wrote the piece in collaboration with Amanda Gronich. Newly cast for its London run, the show features hard-hitting projections on stage as it explores the issues raised by the album’s arrival. Matt said: “What drew us to the development of the play in earnest was about six years of research, interviews and workshops. “A lot of this was with second and third generation survivors and perpetrators of the Holocaust – investigating the inherited trauma on both sides. “We began the work in 2016, which future historians may well point to as a shifting point in the world. We were starting to contemplate what ways each of us are complacent about terrible things that happen, as well as complicit in them and sometimes even culpable for them. In many ways you could look at and study this play as a meditation on that continuum. “What the play is really trying to do is to encourage audiences to contemplate their own role in the world – whether they are contributing to the suffering of others or willingly doing something that’s causing harm. This, for me, is the central point. “Growing up, I was consistently told things that made me feel safe about the Holocaust – that the people who did it were monsters, that individuals were brainwashed or tricked into taking part. The truth is the perpetrators of Auschwitz had similar upbringings to mine, growing up in the American Mid West with similar values.”

Tectonic Theater’s Matt Joslyn says Here There Are Blueberries provokes discussion

the power of the

Image by Jenny Anderson

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Stratford - Mile End - Bow - Hackney Wick

To help audiences get to grips with these issues, Here There Are Blueberries is presented as more than a play. A series of post-show talks will be hosted on selected dates during the run to discuss themes raised by the production. Those who have bought a ticket for any of the shows at Stratford East can attend these, even if they haven’t seen the play that day. Matt said: “One of the things that has surprised and gratified us about the play is that it does elicit a powerful response, which leads to audience members wanting and needing to talk about it. “It’s something we piloted when the play had its première in San Diego in 2022 and we’ve done them ever since. Most are curated by Fellowships At Auschwitz For The Study Of Professional Ethics. “There’s a phenomenal quote from FASPE’s founder, which is that the story of Auschwitz is the story of problem solving. If you understand that, you can understand how it happened. “When we visited the camp as part of this project, we were taken down a long path between the men’s and women’s huts on our way to the birch trees at the back where people waited to be taken into the gas chambers. “On the way, I noticed a cistern on stilts and I asked our guide what it was for. He told me it was for fire suppression because the insurance companies required it. I was brought up to believe that all the camps were criminal enterprises. To contemplate an insurance adjuster with a clipboard, coming to the camp, where 100,000 people were imprisoned, and authorising the cistern so the buildings and the prisoners’ lives were insured, was a shocking thing for me. “The talks centre around such questions as why the Holocaust is still a subject of study, its normalisation and reflection on the humans’ capacity to project normalcy in the face of the extraordinary. “Personally, in the US, I experience that every day in terms of what’s happening in our politics. “We’re hoping to respond to the need for people to talk more about the play and then connect them to a wider world. We hope it sends people in different directions, to learn more about the camps, the fact women were very much involved in running them, the fact doctors did awful experiments and the businesses that took part in the forced labour enterprise.”

Images from the New York Theatre Workshop production on Here There Are Blueberries. The Stratford East version features a different cast

Scan this code to find out more about the show

Images supplied by Here There Are Blueberries / Tectonic Theater

key details Here There Are Blueberries is set to run at Stratford East from January 31 until February 28 with performance times varying. Tickets start at £10 for most shows. Go to stratfordeast.com

what’s on

things to do, places to go, people to see Where? Sadler’s Wells East Stratford

KIDS | Fly-Kid Billed as “the ultimate hip hop, r’n’b, soul and pop party for kids and grown-ups” the Dance Floor will be taken over by DJ Emily Rawson and Jay Knox for three hours. Jan 31, noon-3pm, free, sadlerswells.com Where? UCL East Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

SEE | Urban Room Exhibition Explore the work of the university’s Urban Laboratory via archival materials, voices and research and the activities of its Memory Workshop. Until Feb 14, 10am-4pm, free, ucl.ac.uk Where? Cart And Horses Stratford

GIG | Give Me Your Teeth This band’s songs “feel like they’re permanently teetering between collapse and catharsis”, apparently. Support from Saint Lore and Professional 101. Jan 30, 8pm, from £12, cartandhorses.london

play nicely

Those seeking warmth and diversion on the long January evenings should consider a trip to Draughts Stratford, a venue offering more than 1,000 games for visitors to enjoy. Gaming admission starts at £7.50 off-peak draughtslondon.com Scan this code to find out more about Draughts and what the venue offers at its Stratford branch want more? @wharfwhispers

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

Crossword - Sudoku

Sudoku

Take a break from that phone How to play To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers one to nine such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. More to play You can find more Sudoku puzzles and a wide selection of other brainteasers available to download for free at puzzles.ca last issue’s solution Dec 10-Jan 14

Notes

crossword beating the

Cryptic

Notes

Before the sounds of a song, an inheritor, oxygen? (3) 3. Praise what was once the sound of a bell, sort of (5) 4. Dip, etc – just draw it (6) 5. Wol’s orthographic challenge – spotted (7) 6. Anonymous cognition? (9) 7. About small perfume – it brings back memories (11) 8. Pie stresses female clerics (11) 12. Kind of cowardly? (9) 15. A caveat for this Somerset town, we hear (7) 17. A place for two respectable Italian males (6) 19. I must be crazy owning a pub! (5) 21. Sounds like a small rench a rmation

1. First 007 (4,7) 9. Record (3) 10. Describe in detail (9) 11. Award (5) 13. Denied (7) 14. Excessively (6) 16. Goat (6) 18. Ten-year periods (7) 19. Restore to factory settings (5) 20. Provision of food (9) 21. Equal (3) 22. Promotion (11)

Down 2. 3.

Set by Everden

Good with bacon (3) Relating to intersections (5) 4. Rectangle (6) ine sided ﬁgure 6. Responses to (9) 7. Yuletide dessert (4,7) 8. Male maitre Ds (11) 12. Wholly committed (9) 15. Who shuns modernism (7) 17. Aid (6) 19. Ancient alphabet (5) 21. Cooking utensil (3)

Quick Solution

Tomorrow’s horse race is Gallic magic (11) 9. Second person sheep, we hear (3) 10. Terpsichorean plumber? (9) 11. Not ideal, but it is! (5) 13. Wood chunk in geometric shape in Germany (7) 14. Legal relatives? (6) 16. Sounds like a corporeal growth might help (6) 18, 19. Gastronomic false accountancy? (4,3,5) 20. Nearby equestrian sound (9) 21. A debt of poetry, we hear (3) 22. Louisa May’s account of Bush or the Princess (4,4,3)

Across: 1 Sean Connery; 9 Log; 10 Delineate; 11 Medal; 13 Negated; 14 Unduly; 16 Angora; 18 Decades; 19 Reset; 20 Nutrition; 21 Par; 22 Advertising. Down: 2 Egg; 3 Nodal; 4 Oblong; 5 Nonagon; 6 Reactions; 7 Plum Pudding; 8 Headwaiters; 12 Dedicated; 15 Luddite; 17 Assist; 19 Runes; 21 Pan.

Across

Cryptic Solution

Down

Quick

Across: 1 Legerdemain; 9 Ewe; 10 Tapdancer; 11 Idyll; 13 Cologne; 14 Inlaws; 16 Assist; 18, 19 Cook The Books; 20 Neighbour; 21 Ode; What Katy Did. Down: 2 Ere; 3 Extol; 4 Depict; 5 Measles; 6 Incognito; 7 Reminiscent; 8 Priestesses; 12 Yellowish; 15 Watchet; 17 Verona; 19 Barmy; 21 Oui.

Across

whether you’re cryptic sleuth or synonym solver in it for quick wins, this should satisfy

Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

THE WHARF

W O R L D - C L A S S F I T N E S S A N D W E L L N E S S AT T H E W H A R F :

S TAT E - O F -T H E -A R T T R A I N I N G FAC I L I T I E S R E F O R M E R P I L AT E S A N D H O T YO G A S T U D I O S L O N D O N ’ S L A R G E S T M U LT I - F U N C T I O N A L T R A I N I N G S PAC E , T H E YA R D D E D I C AT E D H Y R OX T R A I N I N G S PAC E OVER 300 CL ASSES A WEEK 1 3 M H I G H C L I M B I N G WA L L S W I M M I N G P O O L , S A U N A A N D S PA

T H I R D S PAC E . L O N D O N

THE WHARF

W O R L D - C L A S S F I T N E S S A N D W E L L N E S S AT T H E W H A R F :

T H I R D S PAC E . L O N D O N

SPECIAL COVER

Wharf Life Jan 14-28, 2026 wharf-life.com

CANADA PL ACE & WOOD WHARF