Imperial War Museums - A troubled European leader

Kaiser Wilhelm II was a King and Emperor who changed Europe forever – but not quite in the way he might have hoped... Wilhelm was King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany from 1888 to 1918. He oversaw the meteoric rise of Germany as an economic and military power. However, Wilhelm's reign also led both to Germany’s humiliating defeat and the abolition of German monarchical rule. Although his life, actions and complex character were significant in this destruction, he always overestimated his capacity for wise political judgement. He wanted Germany to be a world power, and certainly managed to disrupt the established balance of the European order. Wilhelm made blustering claims for German colonial expansion. These only served to unite Britain and France in opposition, even though he was Queen Victoria's first grandson.

Take the Helm this Easter We've plenty to keep the whole family occupied over the Easter break. Keep HMS Belfast shining on our Ship ShapeSaturdays, or meet veterans and eyewitnesses and have their stories of conflict bring our collections to life.  Find out more

He was also paranoid about a deliberate encirclement of Germany, which intensified this isolation from other powers. Wilhelm enjoyed theatrically posturing as a 'supreme warlord'. The status he gained from this helped disguise his unpredictability and ineffectiveness as a war leader between 1914-18. In 1914 Wilhelm rashly assured unlimited support to Austria-Hungary. This was a significant contribution to the outbreak of war. He then proved indecisive and ineffective as a war leader. This meant that strategic and political power fell to the German High Command. By late 1918 Wilhelm's presence even proved an obstacle to peace negotiations. He was forced to abdicate on 9 November 1918, and was bundled off to neutral Holland, where he remained until his death in 1941.

Last Chance to See Don't miss the final weekend of Making a New World at IWM London. Four exhibitions explore how the world was rebuilt after the First World War. Running until 31 March.

Burgh House & Hampstead Museum - Margaret Rowney: The Art of Drawing and Printmaking

You are cordially invited to the opening of... Margaret Rowney: The Art of Drawing and Printmaking Thursday 18 April, 6:30pm-9pm Join us for the opening of our newest exhibition celebrating the work of painter and printmaker, Margaret Rowney. Here, Margaret Rowney’s work is woven together with that of other artists in the Burgh House collection, providing a colourful exploration of aspects of her life and art. The exhibition will open with a speech by the artist's son, John Hauxwell. Click here to RSVP Margaret Rowney was born in 1908, and grew up in Hampstead in an artistic household; her father Walter was an amateur painter and ran the family business manufacturing art supplies. Margaret and her father would regularly walk on Hampstead Heath with their sketchbooks, spinning a palette knife to decide which view to paint. This appreciation of nature and her surroundings underpinned a prolific and unique career, which this exhibition will examine 20 years after Margaret’s death. Click here to RSVP Burgh House & Hampstead Museum Open Wed - Fri & Sun 12noon - 5pm Free Buttery Cafe Wed - Fri 10am - 5pm Sat - Sun 9.30am - 5.30pm For Reservations call  020 7794 3943

Bloomsbury Theatre - JUST ANNOUNCED: Performance Lab at Bloomsbury Theatre

Just announced: Performance Lab Eleven experiments in science and the arts

Experience cutting-edge research from UCL – one of the world’s leading universities – brought to life onstage by artists, dancers, opera singers and stand-up comedians. Tickets are available now for a radical season of talks, theatre and musical performances - with many events free to attend and a top ticket price of £10. Read on to find out more...

What's on at the Bloomsbury Theatre

The Science of Laughter Neuroscientist Prof. Sophie Scott reveals the secrets of a good giggle with comedians Tim Key, Maawan Rizwan and Stuart Goldsmith. 2 May. £10

The Tsar Wants His Photograph TakenResearchers from UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies shed new light on Kurt Weill's rarely seen comic opera. 4 May. £10

Deconstructing the Dream A Shakespeare performance like no other, with new imaging technology that shows what’s happening in the actors’ brains. 15 + 16 May. £10

Experimenting with Art & Research A free symposium on how performance can animate research – and how research can inspire art. 29 April. Free MUSO The world’s only improvising opera company reveals the untold stories of objects from UCL museums. 7 May. £10 Lecture on Performance Professor of Philosophy Dr Tom Stern and theatre director Gregory Thompson untangle tragedy and catharsis. 10 May. £5 Acoustic Cities: London and Beirut Artists and scholars from Lebanon and the UK present a free evening of soundscapes inspired by the city. 15 May. Free Cities Imaginaries A chance to discuss the relationship between music and the city followed by a live performance. 17 May. Free daytime talk. £10 evening performance Man & God An original musical about the birth of colour photography taking in Gershwin, Einstein and Hitler. 18 May. £10 Every Body is an Archive Artist Liz Orton explores medical imaging technologies to see the body as a new kind of archive. 20 June. £6

Over at the Grant Museum of Zoology

Just around the corner from the theatre at the Grant Museum of Zoology, award-winning artist Tom Bailey presents Vigil, a wild, playful encounter with internationally threatened species.  Space is limited for this special performance, which draws on UCL research and the museum's weird and wonderful animal specimens. 6 + 7 June. £5

Bloomsbury Theatre University College London 15 Gordon Street London WC1H 0AH

Photos from top: Locus developed by Amanda Simo Rodriguez and Anthos Venizelos with dancer Saloni Saraf. Bloomsbury Theatre 2019 © Belinda Lawley; Professor Sophie Scott; Flute Theatre. Bloomsbury Theatre 2019 © Belinda Lawley; Tom Bailey.

Museum of London - Easter holidays? More like BEASTER holidays!

Visit us this Easter The Easter holidays are nearly upon us and we've got you covered. At both the Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands, we're jam packed with free workshops, activities and sessions to keep kids of all ages entertained. Not only that, but kids eat free at our restaurants at both sites, so why not make a day of it this Easter? PLAN YOUR VISIT >  Easter at the Museum of London Investigate and escape! 12-20 Apr, 11-11.30am, 12.30-1pm, 2-2.30pm, 3.30-4pm Museum of London Take part in a family escape room-inspired adventure and discover the secrets to a mysterious artefact while learning about real puzzles archaeologists have to solve. PLAN YOUR VISIT >  The mystery of the dragon  11 & 18 Apr, 1-1.30pm, 2-2.30pm, 3-3.30pm Museum of London Dragons? In London? Surely not. Find out about why dragons guard the City of London and more firey tales in this free interactive story session. PLAN YOUR VISIT >  Easter at the Museum of London Docklands Morse code masters 9-14 Apr, 12-1.30pm, 2.30-4pm Museum of London Can you decode the secret messages? Have a go at communicating in Morse code, then spell out your name to make your own Morse code bracelet in this fun craft workshop. PLAN YOUR VISIT >  Shhhhh! Secret spies at work 10 & 11 Apr 1-1.30pm, 2-2.30pm, 3-3.30pm Museum of London You're invited to attend our Historical Spy School - but don't tell anyone. Hear how Morse code, flag signals and carrier pigeons were used to relay messages in a retelling of ‘Fly Cher Ami’ by Robert Burleigh. PLAN YOUR VISIT >  We're trialling some early weekday openings for Mudlarks We want to try something new with our Mudlarks gallery. Moving forward, we'll be opening the gallery on certain weekday mornings. We'll announce if the gallery will be opening early the day before on social media. So if you haven't, there's never been a better time to follow us!  FOLLOW US ON TWITTER >  Beasts of London The Beasts of London arrive this month and we couldn't be more excited! We have so much going on around the experience itself, so why not make a day of it?  Not only do we have an amazing programme of family events and activities around Beasts of London, kids eat free at our restaurant, London Wall Bar & Kitchen. Join us for a for a truly unique journey through London's past and treat the whole family to a great day out. BOOK NOW >  What Beast of London are you? The Beasts of London aren't just cool to look at; they've each got their own personalities and characteristics! Let the family find out which Beast of London they are in our fun, exclusive quiz! Have you ever wondered if you're a mysterious fox? A majestic eagle? An adorable dormouse? Now's your time to find out! TAKE THE QUIZ >