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A monthly selection of forthcoming events recommended by The Spectator's regular critics

DANCE

Royal Ballet, Covent Garden (071 240 1066), from 26 January. Revival of Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling, with Zoltan Solmosi as the unhinged Crown Prince Rudolf, Leanne Benjamin and Fiona Chadwick as the women in his life.

Stomp, Sadler's Wells (071 278 8916), 16 Jantiary to 15 February. Last chance to see the troupe which uses bins, brooms, and other everyday objects to create its own brand of rythmic poetry and eclectic theatre. Sophie Constant'

OPERA

Xerxes, London Coliseum (071 836 3161), from 14 January. Nicholas Hytner's popular production of one of Handel's wittiest operas is revived yet again, this time conducted by Ivor Bolton with a cast led by Yvonne Kelly, Lesley Garrett, Jean Rigby and Christopher Robson.

L'Eloile, Grand Theatre, Leeds (0532 459351), from 20 January. Phyllida Lloyd's production of Chabrier's potty comic opera was much liked when first shown.in 1991. A Christmas revival is now staged by Opera North, conducted by Valentin Reymond. Alternating in the repertory with Britten's Gloriana (7, 13, 26 January).

Elektra, Royal Opera House (071 240 1066), from 26 January. Richard Strauss at his grandest in Hofmannsthal's extraordinary version of Sophocles' play. Eva Marton sings the title-role, Marajana Lipovsek Clytemnestra. Christian Thielemann conducts Gotz Friedrichs production.

Rupert Christiansen

THEATRE

An Absolute Turkey, Globe (071 494 5065), from 4 January. Not a review, but the title given by Sir Peter and Lady Hall (Nicky Frei) to their new translation of Feydeau's Le Dindon: Felicity Kendal and tariff Rhys-Jones star.

The Cavalcaders, Royal Court (071 730 1745), from 7 January. The latest from Billy Roche of the Wexford Trilogy, this one already acclaimed in Ireland: love in a cobbler's shop.

September Tide, Comedy (071 867 1045), from 18 January. Daphne Du Maurier's only play, written for her beloved Gertrude Lawrence, here revived with Susannah York and Michael Praed: snobbery with violence as the waves crash on the Cornish coast.

Unfinished Business, Barbican Pit (071 638 8891), from 19 January. Britain 1940: aristocrats await the Hitler invasion: Gemma Jones in Michael Hastings's latest.

Sheridan Morley

CRAFTS

Twenty Five Bindings designed by Edgar Mansfield and realised by James Brockman, British Library Galleries, British Museum till 23 January. A must for bibliophiles; models of simplicity and purity.

America in London, Christie's, 8 King Street, St James's, from 6 January till 27 January. Craftsmanship and design spanning 200 years from the fine collections at the American Museum at Bath.

'Small Girl in A Blue Dress', attributed to Matthew Prior

Fabergi: Imperial Jeweller, Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, 29 January till 10 April. It seems only yesterday that there were queues down the Cromwell Road and Bernard Levin was in ecstacies over an identical sounding exhibition at the V&A. Clearly a crowd-puller. Tanya Harrod

EXHIBITIONS

Holbein and the Court of Henry VIII, drawings and miniatures from the Royal Library, Windsor Castle, National Portrait Gallery from 21 January. Incomparable.

Modigliani: drawings from the collection of Paul Alexandre, Royal Academy, from 14 January. Interesting drawings unseen for many years.

A Decade of Collecting: Patrons of New Art Gifts 1983-1993, Tate Gallery till 18 January. Variable art a la mode from the generous patrons.

Anthony Whishaw: on Memory and Reflection, Barbican Concourse Gallery from 18 January. Sombre, earth-coloured works by artist who looks to Spain. Giles Auty

MUSIC

John Tavener's 50th birthday will be celebrated by the Barbican and Radio Three with a series of concerts from 21 to 24 January. These will include the Celtic Requiem in the Barbican Hall on the 22nd; The Protecting Veil and Akhamtovq Requiem in the Barbican Hall on the 23rd, played by the BBC SO under Rozhdestvensky; and Ultimos Ritos in Westminster Abbey on the 24th.

There is a good choice of symphony concerts in London this month: the NDR SO of Hamburg under Eliot Gardiner is at the RFH on the 29th; the LSO will appear on the 27th in the Barbican under Previn (Haydn and Brahms's Fourth Symphony); and the RPO will also be at the Barbican on 25 (the Verdi' Requiem) and 28 January in a programme of Janacek, Sullivan , Tchaikovsky and Brahms (Third Symphony) conducted by Charles Mackerras.

Peter Phillips

GARDENS

The first of the Royal Horticultural Society's Westminster Flower Shows in the year always comes as a breath of scented air to the incarcerated gardener. As well as a range of nursery exhibits, there will be an Ornamental Plant Competition and a range of botanical paintings. The show is held in the New Horticultural Hall, Greycoat Street, London SW1, 11 to 7 on 25 January and 10 to 5 on the 26 . (Free to members of the RHS , others, £5 the first day, £3 the second. Ursula Buchan

CINEMA

Decadence, usual Steven Berkoff caper — lots of minor Drones Club- types mooching about in the old soup 'n' fish. This one ups the ante from the stage version by casting Joan Collins.

Farewell My Concubine, Chen Kaige's soap 'n' opera combo, following the careers of two Beijing Opera singers from schooldays in the 20s to their farewell performance in 1977.

Mrs Doubtflre — Mary Poppins for drag fans: in order to gain access, a divorced dad is driven to going undercover as a British nanny, with Robin Williams.

Manhattan Murder Mystery — he can't see the kids, so Mia can't do the movies. Woody Allen's latest, reuniting him with Diane Keaton.

Mark Steyn

POP MUSIC

Sting, Royal Albert Hall, 11 to 14 January. His attempts to abandon his Mr Glum image may have been only partially successful, but Sting remains a considerable and sometimes inspired live performer.

Also recommended: ex-Free man Paul Rodgers, now rediscovering the blues (Forum, 17, 18 January); UB40 and Bitty McLean (Wembley Arena, 22 , 23, 24, 26 January); the admirably tenacious Duran Duran (Wembley Arena, 28 January)