What’s on December: From spell-binding theatre to a magical Christmas at Hogwarts – catch up with all the latest North East London events this season

Words Helen Brown

These are the North East London events not to miss this month

Hogwarts in the Snow

Warner Bros. Studios

Celebrate a magical winter at Hogwarts where the fires are roaring and the tables of the Great Hall groaning under a replica Harry Potter festive feast. For the first time this year, the top section of the hall is transformed for the Yule Ball with snow, icicles and an orchestra of spellbinding instruments, while the rest of the studio is adorned with glittering Christmas trees, treats and a blanket of snow. Get up close to props, costumes and models, and explore the movie sets to discover the magic behind the enchanting winter scenes in the Harry Potter film series.

wbstudiotour.co.uk

Cézanne Portraits

National Portrait Gallery

Renowned for being one of the most influential artists of the nineteenth century, Paul Cézanne’s analytical approach to nature influenced the art of Cubists, Fauvists and successive generations of avant-garde artists. This exhibition brings together over fifty of his portraits in a unique and fascinating insight into a central aspect of his work, highlighting the thematic characteristics of his portraiture.

npg.org.uk

Small is Beautiful

Flowers Gallery

Small is Beautiful is an annual exhibition first established in 1974 when selected contemporary artists were invited to present works with a fixed economy of scale. This year’s display offers a rare opportunity to purchase smaller pieces by internationally recognised names; from Korean artist Kwon Kisco’s exquisite paintings to the hand-embroidered photographs by Scarlett Hooft Graafland, and a set of Special Issue Trump Stamps by LA-based British pop art pioneer, Derek Boshier.

flowersgallery.com

Rome MMXVII

Barbican Centre

Be transported to Shakespeare’s Rome in this thrilling London Season from the Royal Shakespeare Company, comprising four of the playwright’s most gripping plays. Throw yourself full-throttle into the sweat of Coriolanus’ battlefield, lose yourself in the love story of Antony and Cleopatra or unpick the epic political tragedy of Julius Caesar; there is something for all.

barbican.org.uk

North: Fashioning Identity

Somerset House

Turn your gaze away from the capital and up to the North which has spawned some truly remarkable photography, fashion and art. All of the above will be on display in Somerset House’s North: Fashioning Identity, in a unique exhibition of photographs, fashion garments and artworks, from the likes of Alice Hawkins, Raf Simons, Paul Smith and more.

somersethouse.org.uk

Half a World Passed Me By

Lawrence Alkin Gallery

David Walker, renowned for his freehand works in spray paint, has embarked on territories a-new with his latest exhibition Half A World Passed Me By. This latest showcase sees the introduction of brushes, acrylics and new techniques, along with figurative works, studies, sketches and a series of text-based paintings featuring Walker’s own writing.

lawrencealkingallery.com