Equals a bonkers but fun evening at London’s Science Museum.

I went along last night for the monthly late opening event. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the museum (a) without a morass of children underfoot, (b) with a glass of Merlot in hand, or (c ) with a pumping sound track following you around then this is the event for you.

Empty bottles occupied every available surface

The theme for the evening was Japanese culture, to coincide with the museum’s Japan Car exhibition. Musicians, performers and demonstrations were interspersed throughout the galleries offering a number of unique contrasts. It worked rather well. The History of Computing gallery was coloured with a Babbage of origami. The Dan Dare exhibition trembled to the beat of giant drums. And, with the obvious exception of steam, nothing brings to life a Newcomen engine like the frenzied rhythms of a Japanese DJ.

Origami in the computer gallery

Members of the public, drumming away

Elsewhere, Japanese science took centre stage. The theatre was packed out all evening with a short film of high-resolution images of the moon from the Selene space probe. Only 27 people have ever witnessed a better view of Earthrise, and they all have astronaut wings. Further examples of cutting-edge Japanese research were on display in an adjacent room.

Ground floor nearly empty as everyone piles upstairs for the events

Sadly, the best galleries (space, making the modern world, aviation, Wellcome Wing) were all closed. The restricted space made the museum look very crowded, which provided a lively atmosphere – not so good for scrutinizing exhibits in any detail, though. I was also denied access to the Launchpad kids gallery, on account of the half-full glass of wine still in my hand. Maybe next month.

The Lates programme runs monthly at the Science Museum, and many of London’s other big attractions hold similar evenings.

Some exhibits could do with an update. This personal radio was cutting edge when the communications gallery was created.