• Of the shows I have seen this week as part of the London International Mime Festival, the award for the most bizarre and mesmerising goes to USSR Was Here by Russian company BlackSkyWhite. With its mix of shrinking women, levitation, spasmodically jerking robot-people and owl-like revolving-head-men, this show made me wonder if someone had slipped something stronger than gin into my pre-performance mixer.  A nightmarish explosion of “total theatre”, it transports you through the history of the Soviet Union. It’s an extremely intense experience. Check out the other acts performing as part of the festival at www.mimefest.co.uk. 

• My attention has been drawn to a theatre studies class for the  over 60s taking place in conjunction with Westminster/Kingsway College. As part of the class pupils are being encouraged to write short plays, with the six best due to be performed at the prestigious Hampstead Theatre – directed and performed by professionals. The course has just started and there are still places left. The classes, which are free, take place at Swiss Cottage Community Centre from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.  Newcomers are welcome and  anyone interested can call Joyce Terry on 020 7794 1917.