{"title": "John Simpson – The Leaders and Lunatics Tour", "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", "tickets_url": "https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/strangers-an-exclusive-evening-with-belle-burden/book/1382834", "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-the-leaders-and-lunatics-tour-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": "Churchill War Rooms", "address": "King Charles Street, SW1A 2AQ London", "price": "£20", "price_from": "20.00", "price_to": "20.00", "tickets_url": "https://tickets.iwm.org.uk/event-tickets/80963?catID=75712&branches.branchID=2995", "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": null, "price_to": null, "tickets_url": "https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/111081447981", "category": "talks-readings", "tags": ["literature/true-crime"], "description": "An evening conversation at the bookshop Lala Books celebrating the launch of Kim Ghattas' new book 'The Best Kind of American'. Ghattas, a journalist and author who has covered the Middle East for more than twenty years, will be in conversation with Clarissa Ward, CNN's Chief International Correspondent. The book is a work of true crime following one American family's search for answers after the 1984 murder of Malcolm Kerr, president of the American University, in war-torn Beirut. The event has sold out, though return tickets may be available by email or on the day, and tickets include complimentary drinks.", "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", "tickets_url": "https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conversation-and-performance-voices-of-democracy-tickets-1990646530359", "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": "Jonathan Pie - The End Of The World According To Jonathan Pie", "start": "2026-10-30T19:30:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Eventim Apollo", "address": "Queen Caroline Street 45, W6 9QH London", "price": "", "price_from": null, "price_to": null, "tickets_url": "https://www.eventim.co.uk/artist/jonathan-pie/jonathan-pie-4030187/", "category": "comedy", "tags": ["comedy/stand-up", "society/politics"], "description": "Jonathan Pie, the UK's angriest news reporter, brings his brand-new live show to the Eventim Apollo for two nights on 30 and 31 October 2026. He is coming to terms with the horror of Keir Starmer's Labour, which he voted for, while Reform wait in the wings and Elon Musk pulls the strings. The show sees the far-right on the march, Trump having a ball, the climate collapsing and AI about to rule and ruin your life. It promises a helpful and hilarious guide to surviving the impending apocalypse.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/jonathan-pie-the-end-of-the-world-according-to-jonathan-pie-35957/", "official_url": "https://www.eventimapollo.com/events/jonathan-pie", "image": "https://noky.io/images/ee41574856dee0a3faf336edeaff5ac97791397f747258fa979af348b016c1df-1200.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", "tickets_url": "https://tickets.thecockpit.org.uk/sales/shows/out-of-the-comfort-zone-with-b/mon-9-nov-2026---730pm", "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": "https://noky.io/images/3adb0eaede7bc4582c3c7aefd7fd94a9bd060a94da9cd656134323c769b79e67-1200.webp"}, {"title": "Michael Portillo – A Life of Two Halves", "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", "tickets_url": "https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/strangers-an-exclusive-evening-with-belle-burden/book/1382834", "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-a-life-of-two-halves-35208/", "official_url": "https://www.fane.co.uk/michael-portillo", "image": "https://noky.io/images/936bf59c00703e7c08451e713441709e279d7c4bd53797ddf016d0a8e6651f97-1200.webp"}, {"title": "Speculations", "start": "2026-10-30T00:00:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Canary Wharf Theatre", "address": "Charter Street 4, London", "price": "", "price_from": null, "price_to": null, "tickets_url": "https://www.kxtickets.com/whats-on/speculations", "category": "theatre", "tags": ["stage/theatre/drama/thriller"], "description": "A new political thriller staged as a play. Janie Dee stars as journalist Dorothy Kilgallen in the world premiere of Torben Betts' work, directed by Trevor Nunn. Set in New York in 1965, it follows Kilgallen as she investigates the deaths of Marilyn Monroe, John F. Kennedy and Lee Harvey Oswald, chasing a story someone wants stopped. It is presented by Wild Yak and the Marylebone Theatre.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/speculations-41153/", "official_url": "https://www.kxtickets.com/whats-on/speculations", "image": "https://noky.io/images/03c782afbd53603c956f3ccb3884ecdbd350d90076fefae5ec2afb3e7a79afb6-1200.webp"}]}