t*' eARTS DIARY ct

A monthly selection of forthcoming events recommended by The Spectator's regular critics The Lord of the Flies (15). Hot- coloured, updated version of Golding's masterpiece, from interesting young director Harry Hook (The Kitchen Tow).

Reunion (12). Jason Robards plays Hans Strauss, returning to Germany 55 years after the rise of the Nazis forced him to leave family and one particular friend, whom he now wishes to trace. Strong performances, a Pinter

script. Hilary Mantel

DANCE

American Ballet Theatre, Coliseum (071 836 3161), 9-14 July.

Welcome return to London after an absence of 13 years. The rich repertory includes new work by Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris and a new production of Massine's Gaiete Parisienne with designs by Christian Lacroix. There is also a rare chance to see Tudor's Pillar of Fire and The Leaves are Fading.

English National Ballet, Coliseum (071 836 3161), 16-28 July. The two-week season features the premieres of new works by Christopher Bruce and Siobhan Davies. Deirdre McMahon

THEATRE

King Lear, RSC Stratford (0789 295623), 11 July. Nicholas Hytner directs John Wood in the title role. Supporting cast includes Sally Dexter as Regan, David Troughton as Kent, Norman Rodway as Gloucester and Ralph Fiennes as Edmund. The Fool is played by the diminutive Scottish actress Linda Kerr Scott.

Edward II, RSC Stratford (0789 295623), 10 July. Gerald Murphy directs Simon Russel Beale (who is so good in the current RSC Troilus and Cressida) in the title role.

Black Angel, Kings Head (071226 1916), 5 July. Topical new play over from America set in France in the 1970s, about revenge on a Nazi war criminal. Strong cast includes Frank Finlay.

Sunsets and Glories, West Yorkshire Playhouse (0532 442111), 3 July. Peter Barnes play set in late 13th-century Italy about a hermit who becomes Pope Celestine V. Freddie Jones takes the lead. Christopher Edwards

CINEMA

Black Rain (PG). No relation to the recent Michael Douglas film of the same name. Shohei Imamura directs a story of a family who survive Hiroshima and must cope with its aftermath.

MUSIC

The plethora of festivals in the provinces this month includes: the Chester Summer Music Festival, 20-28 July, featuring Tippett in his 85th birthday year (box office tel: 0244 340392); Chichester festivities, 1-17 July, entitled Echoes of Italy (tel: 0243 780192); the Welsh Proms in St David's Hall, Cardiff, 14-21 July (tel: 0222 342611); the 46th Cheltenham International Festival, 7-22 July, also featuring Tippett (tel: 0242 523690); the 40th King's Lynn Festival, 18-28 July, during which the Halle will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the birth of Sir John Barbirolli (tel: 0553 773578); the York Early Music Festival, 6-15 July, entitled Les Plaisirs de Paris (tel: 0904 644194). The Harrogate Festival begins on 26 July (tel: 0423 565757); the Deal Festival on 28 July (tel: 0227 455600).

Sir Michael Tippett's 85th birthday year is celebrated at several festivals In London, the City of London Festival, 8-25 July, in venues all over the City, also includes music by Tippett (tel: 071 248 4260); the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields plays host to the orchestra which carries its name between 10 and 14 July (tel: 071 702 1377); the Proms start on 20 July (tel: 071 823 9998).

Peter Phillips

OPERA

The Intelligence Park, Almeida Islington from 6 July, transferring to the Gate, Dublin on 17 July. Almeida Festival's long-awaited premiere of the Irish composer Gerald Barry's opera, set in 18th- century Dublin. Robert Houlihan conducts, the producer is David Fielding, and the cast includes Richard Jackson, Buddug Verona James and Stephen Richardson.

The Ice Break, Royal Albert Hall, 23 July. David Atherton conducts Tippett's opera at the Proms, with Heather Harper (making her farewell appearance), Cynthia Clarey, Sanford Sylvan and Thomas Randle in the cast.

Tancredi, Buxton Festival, 26 July. Rossini's opera is part of this year's 'Voltaire' theme. Anthony Hose and Malcolm Fraser are the conductor and producer.

Rodney Milnes

Leningrad in Manchester, till 21 July. Rich and varied festival of Russian art and graphic design, drawing on Leningrad's museum and libraries. Particularly recommended: Russian Faces, Soviet Lives 1910-45, City Art Galleries; The Russian Lubok, Whitworth Art Gallery; Street Art of the Revolution: Petrograd 1918.

Three Ways of Seeing: Fred Baler, Caroline Broadhead, Richard Slee, Crafts Council Gallery, till 29 July. Fine retrospective of work by innovative furniture-maker, jeweller and potter. Tanya Harrod

CRAFTS

Decorations and Designs, Christ Church Picture Gallery, Oxford, till 1 August. An exhibition of drawings concentrating on the contribution of 16th- and 17th- century artists to the applied arts.

POP MUSIC

Madonna, Wembley Stadium, 20, 21 and 22 July. Her strange metallic bras and increasingly muscular dancing should dominate proceedings — but let's hope she doesn't play anything from that abysmal new Dick Tracy album.

Tina Turner, various outdoor dates, 18-29 July. Some sterling entertainment lined up here — Ms Turner is as skilled an exponent of the stadium show as any and, unlike most, seems entirely free of self-importance. Marcus Berkmann

GARDENS

A new flower show, intended as a midsummer 'Chelsea', is to be held in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace from 11 to 15 July. This strictly horticultural event is sponsored by Network SouthEast, who will be providing extra trains from Waterloo Station and concessionary tickets for those who go by train. For tickets in advance ring 081 741 5095. Ursula Buchan

EXHIBITIONS

Sounds of Colour, Art Gallery & Museum, Kelvingrove, Glasgow, from 14 July. A collection of exuberant works mostly by Fauve artists, Matisse to the fore.

The Tree, Silk Top Hat Gallery, Ludlow, Shropshire, till 14 July. Well-known artists relate to arboreal theme as branch of Ludlow Festival.

Venice Observed, The Tudor Room, Bishop's Palace, Chichester, till 17 July. La Serenissima by artists from Canaletto to Patrick Procktor. Part of annual Chichester festivities.

Patrick Hayman: A Voyage of Discovery, Royal Albert Museum, Exeter. Retrospective of work by late artist, prolific producer of poetic and witty images. Giles Auty