NU AT RTS DO A AT

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

MUSIC

At the Wigmore Hall, on 6 and 9 January, Andras Schiff will be giving his personal answer to the authenticity freaks when he plays two recitals of Bach on the modern piano.

On 28 January at St John's, Smith Square, the Westminster Cathedral choir will be performing music by Palestrina and Padilla in the 'English Voices' series. The programme will include Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli.

A Theme, with Variations — a Celebration of British Music starts in January in major venues throughout London. Billed as 'the most extensive event ever mounted to celebrate the achievement of British composers this century', all the January dates are at the Barbican Hall, mostly with the LSO. On the 8th the music is to be by Vaughan Williams, Grey and Elgar; on the 24th, Elgar, Hoddinott and Walton; on the 28th, Howarth, Golland and Lloyd and on the 3 rst, Saxton, Walton and Vaughan Williams.

Peter Phillips

EXHIBITIONS

The Vaughan Bequest, National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh. Superb collection of Turner watercolours covering 50-year span bequeathed by heir to hat-making fortune.

Tony Bevan's 'Mother and Child', 1986, at the ICA

Tony Bevan, Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, ICA, London. Contemporary painter and 18th- century sculptor examine humankind's inner demons. One for the Jung at heart.

Another Russia, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford. Unofficial photography from Soviet Union. Informal insights into contemporary life. Also Naum Gabo show. Land, Sea, Air, Nottingham University Art Gallery, from 11 January. Reflections on perceptual world by interesting list of artists.

Nick Schlee, The Grange, Rottingdean. Sixty paintings and drawings of West Pier, Brighton in all lights and weathers by obsessive admirer. Giles Auty

OPERA

L'itallana in Algeri, Covent Garden, 2 January. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's production of Rossini's comedy, borrowed from the Vienna State Opera, conducted by Gabriele Ferro, with Agnes Baltsa and Paolo Montarsolo.

Parsifal, Covent Garden, 28 January. Bernard Haitink conducts Bill Bryden's new production in designs by Hayden Griffin, with Peter Seiffert, Waltraud Meier, Robert Lloyd and Willard White.

Lulu, Brussels, La Monnaie, 30 January. Anja Silja sings the title role in Ruth Berghaus's new production of Berg's opera, conducted by Sylvain Cambreling.

Rodney Milnes

CINEMA

Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (18). Rafi, 30 years away from London, comes to Brixton to search for the civilisation he once knew; uneven but interesting film from the My peautiful Laundrette team of Hanif Kureishi and Stephen Frears, who are better at everything than they are at titles.

The Glass Menagerie (PG). Joanne Woodward as the Southern matriarch in fresh and skilful version of the Tennessee Williams play, directed by Paul Newman.

Gardens of Stone (15). A Vietnam film set entirely in America; Francis Coppola directs James Caan as a combat veteran on the wrong side of army bureaucracy, who is assigned to duties at Arlington National Cemetery, 1968-69.

Throughout the month the NFT has Part 1 of a John Huston retrospective. Hilary Mantel

THEATRE

You Never Can Tell, Theatre Royal, Haymarket (930 9832). Excellent production of Bernard Shaw's frothy piece set in an English seaside resort in 1897. Strong cast includes Michael Hordern, Irene Worth and Frank Middlemass.

Lettice and Lovage, Globe (437 3667). Peter Shaffer's skimpy play gives Maggie Smith a wonderful excuse to indulge herself (and us) with a flamboyant display of over- the-top comic acting. Fun.

A View From the Bridge, Aldwych (836 6404). Again I urge everyone to see this transfer of the National Theatre production of Arthur Miller's play. Excellent cast and superb performance from Michael Gambon. Christopher Edwards

CRAFTS

Terracotta Warriors, Royal Horticultural Society Old Hall, Vincent Square, SW1, till 20 February. Nine warriors, two horses from China's famed terracotta army; not to be missed.

Salvatore Ferragamo: the Art of the Shoe 1927-1960, V & A, till 7 February. Cobbling's Michelangelo, author of riveting autobiography, Shoemaker of Dreams.

'Chomo' water storage and fermentation vessel from Peru

Contemporary Ceramics and Textiles from the Peruvian Amazon, Anne Berthoud Gallery, 10 Clifford Street, WI, 4-16 January. Ur-pots, very quiet, very beautiful. Tanya Harrod

DANCE

Giselle, Royal Opera House, 6, 7 January (2401066). Sylvie Guiflem on loan from Paris Opera Ballet stars opposite her director, Rudolf Nureyev; while in Paris Maximova and Vasiliev perform in the Kirov's Giselle on 7 and 9 January, Palais de Congres (010 331-42662975).

Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, Sadler's Wells, 14 and 15 January (278 8916). A meaty mixed bill with premieres by Michael Corder and Graham Lustig; Prague's Chamber Ballet in a work by Pavel Smok; plus the return of David Bintley's engaging A Ilegri Diversi.

Julie Kavanagh

POP MUSIC

Depeche Mode, touring. Innocent young popsters still trying to be seedy old Berliners and not quite succeeding, possibly because they still sell records (and let's not forget those portraits in the attic). Adventurous stuff, though.

Eric Clapton, Royal Albert Hall, 25 January-4 February. Another old survivor who has discovered that popular success is more likely to pay the hotel bills than critical approval. And he's chosen a good venue too. Expect a professional and highly enjoyable show.

Marcus Berkmann