Art, Delicacies, Fashion And Theater To Brighten A London Winter

Joanna Woodward (Ulla) and Marc Antolin (Leo Bloom) in The Producers. Credit Manuel Harlan

Manuel Harlan

Lunch at Maison François, store for festive nightwear at Daniel Hanson on Savile Row, take a look at rising artist expertise Winsor & Newton x Paul Smith’s Foundation International Art Prize, see the Narnia-inspired Christmas lights at Annabel’s, watch smash-hit musical The Producers at The Garrick Theatre, and end the night with pasta and cocktails at Cecconi’s Mayfair. Here are some strategies for festive season in London’s Mayfair district.

The Producers: Festive Theatrical enjoyable at The Garrick Theatre

Andy Nyman (Max Bialystock) and Marc Antolin (Leo Bloom) in The Producers.

Manuel Harlan

If you’re on the lookout for a assured strategy to brighten the winter months, the critically acclaimed, smash-hit revival of The Producers on the Garrick Theatre is your festive tonic. Recently prolonged till September 2026, this riotous manufacturing is an ideal dose of theatrical drugs: two hours of pure, joyous escapism stuffed with huge laughs, glowing costumes, and gloriously over-the-top performances.

Based on the guide by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Brooks, this manufacturing is directed by Patrick Marber and transferred to the West End from the Menier Chocolate Factory after its sold-out run earlier this yr. A reimagining of Brooks’ cult-classic movie, the unique Broadway model famously gained twelve Tony Awards, and this revival greater than justifies the present’s legendary standing.

The plot follows down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock and anxious accountant Leo Bloom, who hatch a plan to provide a surefire flop, solely to observe it grow to be an unintentional hit, a lot to their dismay and the viewers’s delight. Under Marber’s course, the present fizzes with vitality, leaning into Brooks’ sharp satire and unapologetically cheeky humour. The jokes might teeter on the sting of excellent style, however the tongue-in-cheek supply retains the comedy buoyant and brilliantly entertaining.

The forged is pitch-perfect: Andy Nyman brings pleasant scheming appeal as Max (channelling comedian display screen legend Norman Wisdom along with his slapstick supply), Marc Antolin is endearing because the shy but formidable Leo, and Joanna Woodward dazzles as Ulla. The dazzling dynamic between Nyman, Antolin and Woodward recollects Marilyn Monroe’s fizzy on-screen chemistry with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot.

Trevor Ashley (Roger DeBris) and Raj Ghatak (Carmen Ghia) in The Producers

Manuel Harlan

Trevor Ashley steals his scenes as flamboyant director Roger DeBris, alongside Raj Ghatak as his deliciously camp assistant Carmen Ghia, and Harry Morrison as unhinged playwright Franz Liebkind.

Visually, the manufacturing is a feast. Scott Pask’s set design, Paul Farnsworth’s costumes and Tim Lutkin’s lighting create a world of kitsch glamour, whereas Paul Groothuis’ sound design and a vibrant orchestra led by orchestrators Larry Blank and Mark Cumberland preserve the present musically buoyant. The ensemble shines with razor-sharp timing in Lorin Latarro’s choreography, supported by Gareth Valentine’s musical supervision.

Presented by David Babani, Nica Burns & Max Weitzenhoffer, Kevin Salter, Seaview, Creative Partners Productions and 2ontheaisle, with authentic course and choreography by Susan Stroman, The Producers is West End escapism at its best, a present that sends you again into the London night time with a smile in your face and a spring in your step.

Maison François

Maison François. Photograph by Steven Joyce.

Steven Joyce

Maison François is an ideal place to have lunch in Mayfair pre-theatre or following a spot of Christmas buying. They provide a ‘formule pre-Theatre’ with tempting dishes equivalent to celeriac remoulade to start out adopted by roast rooster or ravioles du Dauphine and culminating in a tempting selection of chocolate mousse or ice-cream (which sounds higher in French: les glaces au choix).

Maison François was based on Duke Street within the coronary heart of St James’s, Mayfair in 2020 by François O’Neill, Ed Wyand and Executive Chef Matthew Ryle. It’s a buzzy brasserie and wine bar impressed by the Grand Brasseries of Paris, Lyon and Alsace. Traditional French dishes populate the menu created utilizing recent components and served by pleasant skilled workers. Highlights of the all-day menu embrace a tasty dish of crab, fennel, samphire, capers and anchovy croutons, and entrecote of beef with pepper sauce. Those with a candy tooth would love the dessert trolley, a veritable Aladdin’s cave of treats on three ranges, providing indulgent desserts equivalent to gold-topped eclairs, madeleines and tarte au citron.

The dessert trolley at Maison Francois

© Sky Sharrock

There is a deal with utilizing seasonal components to create easy dishes which are superbly ready and offered and scrumptious to digest. Maison François is open from morning to nighttime and provides breads and patisserie ready within the in-house bakery. An open plan design signifies that Diners can watch the cooks at work within the kitchen, and there’s a wine bar known as Frank’s within the basement with small plates, wine and cocktails.

Paul Smith’s Foundation and Winsor & Newton International Art Prize Exhibition at Paul Smith Space on Albemarle Street

Installation view of Paul Smith Space

Paul Smith Space

Art lovers looking out for rising expertise may like to take a look at an exhibition at Paul Smith’s flagship store on Albemarle Street in Mayfair.

Paul Smith’s Foundation and Winsor & Newton have partnered for a second version of the International Art Prize, presenting P.O.V – Defining Your Point of View, a gaggle exhibition celebrating the 2025 prize-winning artists. On view at Paul Smith Space, the everlasting gallery beneath Paul Smith’s store on Albemarle Street in Mayfair, the exhibition showcases a dynamic all-woman cohort of winners chosen from throughout the globe: Laura Basterra Sanz (Antwerp), Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway (New York), Charlotte Winifred Guérard (London), Michelle Heron (Nottingham), Zhongwen Hu (Shanghai), and Silke Weißbach (Copenhagen).

Installation view, Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway and Laura Basterra Sanz. POV – Defining Your Point of View. Paul Smith Space

Paul Smith Space

Centered on the theme P.O.V – Defining Your Point of View, this yr’s prize invitations every artist to articulate the lens by way of which they see and interpret the world. The exhibition brings collectively portray, drawing, blended media, and progressive approaches to materiality, revealing how private histories, cultural influences, and lived expertise form artistic expression. Alongside the 2025 winners, the exhibition additionally options contributions from previous contributors in Paul Smith’s ongoing inventive programme, underscoring the Foundation’s dedication to long-term engagement with artists. You can even peruse the Paul Smith garments, footwear and equipment collections after seeing the exhibition.

P.O.V – Defining Your Point of View runs till twelfth January, 2026 at Paul Smith Space, 9 Albemarle Street, London.

Luxurious Festive Dressing Gowns and Silk Pyjamas at Daniel Hanson, Savile Row

Daniel Hanson Savile Row

Daniel Hanson

A festive itinerary in Mayfair can be incomplete with no cease at Daniel Hanson, the world’s premier designer and maker of luxurious dressing robes and favorite of film stars, royalty and music Royalty Sir Elton John. Tucked elegantly alongside Savile Row, the worldwide capital of bespoke clothes, the boutique provides a luxurious escape into craftsmanship, color and luxury. For 37 years, the Hanson household has created beautiful robes, pyjamas and equipment for show-business royalty, celebrated international manufacturers and discerning sartorial collectors. Every garment is meticulously hand-cut and sewn at their Nottingham atelier, the place the household has been primarily based for the reason that late Nineteen Eighties.

Daniel Hanson Savile Row

Daniel Hanson

The assortment is solely designed in-house and showcases vibrant pure-silk pyjama units, richly colored dressing robes, kimono-inspired robes, smoking jackets and coordinating equipment. These items would make good items for anybody who cherishes superbly made loungewear. The store itself feels half gallery, half textile studio: a vivid, inviting area curated with luxurious materials, limited-edition designs and capsule collections created by Nicholas Hanson, representing the following era of the household’s artistry.

Visitors are warmly welcomed by Julian Hanson, the late Daniel’s elder son, who manages the shop and its bespoke clientele. Julian’s encyclopaedic data of textiles and tailoring brings the expertise to life, usually accompanied by tales from his Nineties after-school stitching classes and the model’s long-standing work creating clothes for icons of stage and display screen.

A go to to Daniel Hanson at 36 Savile Row is a uniquely private immersion into British craftsmanship and creativity.

Cecconi’s Mayfair

Cecconi’s Mayfair

Cecconi’s Mayfair

Nestled within the coronary heart of Mayfair at 5A Burlington Gardens, only a quick stroll from Bond Street, Cecconi’s authentic location in Burlington Gardens has been delighting company because it was opened by Venice-born founder Enzo Cecconi in 1978. Celebrated for its elegant but vigorous ambiance, the restaurant brings the appeal and theatricality of Northern Italy to the capital.

The menu at Cecconi’s Mayfair is a celebration of traditional Italian delicacies, with standout dishes together with recent fish and to-die-for pasta,elevated with wealthy, indulgent truffles that preserve devoted Cecconi’s followers coming again for extra. Each dish is crafted with care and infrequently completed on the desk, including a way of theatre to the eating expertise.

Cecconi’s isn’t simply concerning the meals. The buzzy bar supplies the proper spot for a post-shopping tipple, whether or not it’s a craft cocktail or a glass of champagne after searching the luxurious boutiques of close by Savile Row. The mixture of impeccable service with timeless Italian flavors and a touch of La Dolce Vita glamour make Cecconi’s Mayfair a timeless traditional. This means it’s usually onerous to get a desk, however definitely worth the wait if you happen to can.

Annabel’s The Wardrobe: A World of Wonder Festive Light Display

Annabel’s Mayfair Festive Façade 2025-6

Annabel’s Mayfair

Annabel’s Mayfair has remodeled its iconic 46 Berkeley Square entrance into a stunning festive spectacle, impressed by C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Designed by Tatiana Kharchylava, Creative Director of The Birley Clubs, the 2025 set up titled Annabel’s The Wardrobe: A World of Wonder celebrates “light in the darkness,” reflecting the hope and resilience embodied by youngsters. Guests are greeted by an ornate, outsized wardrobe opening onto a magical winter scene, full with snow-dusted timber, shimmering icicles, and a putting porcelain-like lion standing proudly at its centre.

Beyond its visible surprise, the show helps The Caring Family Foundation’s Food From The Heart marketing campaign, which has offered over 3.5 million meals to households in want since 2020, together with greater than one million up to now yr alone. Throughout the festive season, Annabel’s will host fundraising occasions, providing guests an opportunity to benefit from the enchantment of the show whereas contributing to a trigger that brings hope, heat, and sustenance to households throughout the UK.