{"title": "John Simpson", "start": "2026-11-04T19:30:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Cadogan Hall", "address": "Sloane Terrace 5, SW1X 9DQ London", "price": "£16.50 - £68.50 plus fees", "price_from": "16.50", "price_to": "68.50", "category": "talks-readings", "tags": ["society/media/journalism", "history/politics"], "description": "An evening with the journalist and broadcaster John Simpson CBE, part of his show 'The Leaders and Lunatics Tour'. Drawing on nearly 60 years of access to world leaders, he examines what makes tyrants and how sane societies slip into despotism, from Putin, Assad, Saddam, Gaddafi and Trump to Gorbachev, Mandela, Havel and Zelensky. The second half is an audience question-and-answer session about the events he has covered, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to Tiananmen Square and the Gulf Wars. The event runs 1hr 50 min including a 20-minute interval, presented and promoted by Fane.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/john-simpson-35204/", "official_url": "https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/john-simpson/", "image": "https://noky.io/images/3462d6b4ffd690999dd662788d30f5db41dcc95eff27f33893c01df792322ad8-1200.webp", "dates": [{"start": "2026-11-04T19:30:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Cadogan Hall", "address": "Sloane Terrace 5, SW1X 9DQ London", "tickets": "sold_out"}], "similar": [{"title": "IWM In Conversation: Damien Lewis and Rye Barcott", "start": "2026-11-06T18:30:00Z", "end": null, "place": "IWM London", "address": "", "price": "£20", "price_from": "20.00", "price_to": "20.00", "category": "talks-readings", "tags": ["history/wwii", "literature/memoir"], "description": "An evening talk at the Churchill War Rooms in which authors Damien Lewis and Rye Barcott discuss courage, leadership, service and sacrifice, from the Second World War to conflicts and politics today. It is held by Imperial War Museums as part of its IWM In Conversation series and draws on British and American stories of people who chose service when it came at a cost. Barcott, a Marine Corps veteran and New York Times bestselling author, will speak about his book 'Courage Can Save Us', while war reporter and historian Damien Lewis presents 'Behind Enemy Lines'. After the talk there is a Q&A, a book signing and the chance to explore the historic rooms.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/iwm-in-conversation-damien-lewis-and-rye-barcott-50307/", "official_url": "https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-in-conversation-damien-lewis-and-rye-barcott", "image": "https://noky.io/images/2d0c3f69c5b7d3df5e711cce7d8f0f2603f123e647d7aa85afeac1011f6e5294-1200.webp"}, {"title": "Kim Ghattas in conversation with Clarissa Ward", "start": "2026-11-04T19:00:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Lala Books", "address": "Grove Lane 4a, SE5 8SY London", "price": "", "price_from": "14.49", "price_to": "14.49", "category": "talks-readings", "tags": ["society/media/journalism", "literature"], "description": "An evening conversation at a bookshop in Camberwell. Kim Ghattas, a journalist writing on the Middle East, discusses her latest book, The Best Kind of American, with Clarissa Ward, CNN's Chief International Correspondent. Ward is described as one of the most prominent and respected international correspondents working today. The event is hosted by Lala Books, whose programme also features other author evenings.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/kim-ghattas-in-conversation-with-clarissa-ward-41621/", "official_url": "", "image": "https://noky.io/images/b34bafd605041718f30071564169198498b3ec678f0ae2f76a513fe8ad8a84c2-2000.webp"}, {"title": "Conversation and performance: Voices of democracy", "start": "2026-11-04T18:30:00Z", "end": "2026-11-04T20:30:00Z", "place": "Westminster Abbey", "address": "Dean's Yard 20, SW1P 3PA London", "price": "Free (booking required)", "price_from": "0.00", "price_to": "0.00", "category": "talks-readings", "tags": ["music/classical/choral", "history/democracy"], "description": "An immersive evening of music, readings, and discussion about how individual voices have shaped the long story of democracy in the UK. It is hosted by Westminster Abbey Institute as part of its programme The Long Story of Democracy. Chaired by Josie Rourke, it features a panel including Professor Janina Ramirez, music from St Margaret's Choristers and Consort, and performances by Paul Chahidi and Miranda Raison. From Magna Carta to Nelson Mandela, it explores how those who tested the foundations of democracy inspire hope for its future.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/conversation-and-performance-voices-of-democracy-49729/", "official_url": "https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-events/lectures-and-talks/2026/november/conversation-and-performance-voices-of-democracy/", "image": "https://noky.io/images/53d94d67ae2efff392b59ae48b41d6facbba64eefcc87e098a46f1b7e7869e32-2000.webp"}, {"title": "Byline @ The Cockpit: November", "start": "2026-11-09T19:30:00Z", "end": null, "place": "The Cockpit Theatre", "address": "Gateforth Street, NW8 8EH London", "price": "Full price: £10 Concessions: £5 (Incl booking fees)", "price_from": "10.00", "price_to": "10.00", "category": "talks-readings", "tags": ["society/politics"], "description": "An evening of live discussion on current affairs, part of Byline @ The Cockpit. It is produced and presented by Byline & The Cockpit, joining the team behind the independent investigative news outlet Byline Times. The event promises an entertaining evening of challenging discussion to help understand the unprecedented times we are living in – and why they are happening – with those with an inside track.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/byline-the-cockpit-november-39103/", "official_url": "https://www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/byline_the_cockpit_november", "image": ""}, {"title": "Michael Portillo", "start": "2026-11-09T19:30:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Cadogan Hall", "address": "Sloane Terrace 5, SW1X 9DQ London", "price": "£34.50 - £64.50 plus fees", "price_from": "34.50", "price_to": "64.50", "category": "talks-readings", "tags": ["society/politics", "history"], "description": "An evening stage show titled \"Michael Portillo: A Life of Two Halves\", in which Michael Portillo appears live to share stories from his life. The son of a refugee who became one of Britain's leading politicians and best loved broadcasters, he will talk about his years in politics under Margaret Thatcher, his leadership bid and the loss of his seat, and his later career in broadcasting and on television. He will also recount his family's story, from his father's escape from the Spanish Civil War to England, and his travels on the world's great railways across Spain, the USA, India and beyond. The show is presented and promoted by Fane and lasts 1 hour 50 minutes including an interval.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/michael-portillo-35208/", "official_url": "https://www.fane.co.uk/michael-portillo", "image": "https://noky.io/images/75ea86bd5ed90e504ca9dc0152574164d1fa37799d733da7c1cf8e1911d75e56-1200.webp"}]}