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

DANCE

Royal Ballet, Covent Garden (240 1066). On 26 April Kirov stars Altynai Assylmuratova and Konstantin Zaklinsky dance Giselle. On 28 April there is the world premiere of a new work by American choreographer William Forsythe.

Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, Sadlers Wells Theatre (278 8916), 3-14 April. The Canadian company makes its London debut with two programmes featuring works by Richard Levi, John Cranko, Lynn Taylor-Corbett and Mauricio Wainrot.

Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet, Sadlers Wells Theatre (278 8916), 24 April-5 May. Repertory includes La Rile Mal Gardee, Les Sylphides, Elite Syncopations, Las Herman as, as well as new works by William Tuckett and Graham

Lustig. Deirdre McMahon

CINEMA

Roger and Me (15). A droll documentary account of life and hard times in Flint, Michigan; General Motors closes its plant, the town begins to die, and director Michael Moore sets out to confront the GM chairman.

A Short Film About Love (15). Another expert, uncomfortable and perceptive item in the Decalogue of the acclaimed Polish film-maker Krzysztof Kieslowski.

The Southampton Film Festival, featuring a number of UK premieres, runs 29 March-8 April. Box office telephone 0703 336998.

Hilary Mantel

EXHIBITIONS

Transcontinental: Nine Artists from Latin America, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham and Cornerhouse Gallery, Manchester. Nine Latin Americans react to political crisis at home in manner approved by British sympathisers.

Dod Proctor, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, from 18 April. Fifty paintings by Newlyn stalwart, one of the finest woman artists of her era: 1892-1972.

The Art of the Print 11: From Blake to Hockney, Hunterian Art Gallery, Glasgow. Telling images as follow-up to show which traced earlier developments from Mantegna to Goya.

Rediscoveries by Glenn Sujo, Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield. The unlikely reactions of a Venezuelan artist to Western neo-classicism.

Giles Auty

POP MUSIC

The Notting Hillbillies touring, till 14 May. Extensive tour of small venues by Mark Knopfler's good- time (and indeed spare-time) outfit, backing up their splendidly relaxing new album Missing . . . Presumed Having a Good Time.

Phil Collins, Wembley Arena, 28 April-2 May. He may have a face like a surprised ferret, but my word can he sell records.

Marcus Berkman

MUSIC

Szymanowski: Poland's Last Romantic continues on the South Bank on the 11th with the composer's Stabat Mater and Sibelius's Fifth Symphony conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen; on the 21st with his Harnasie and Sibelius's Seventh; with song recitals on the 3rd, 10th and 24th.

The composer Karol Szymanowski On the 17th the LPO under Andrew Davis will perform Janacek's Jenufa at the Festival Hall in a concert version adapted from the Glyndebourne production. The Snape Makings are running an Easter series 12-16 April: ring 0728 453543 for details, The church of St Martin-in-the- Fields runs lunchtime recitals most Mondays and Tuesdays, starting at 1.05 p.m. The St John Passion of Bach will be given at St John's Smith Square on the 11th by Andrew Parrott and the Taverner Consort. Peter Phillips

OPERA

Macbeth, Coliseum (836 3161), 5 April. A new production for ENO of Verdi's first Shakespeare opera by the team of Mark Elder/David Pountney/Stefanos Lazaridis, with Jonathan Summers and Kristine Ciesinski in the leading roles.

L'Heure espagnole/Gianni Schicchi, Grand Theatre, Leeds, 12 April. David Lloyd-Jones conducts his final new production as founder Artistic Director of Opera North, one of the great operatic success stories of the postwar era. The Ravel/Puccini double bill is directed by Martin Duncan. La Cenerentola, Covent Garden (240 1066), 24 April. Carlo Rizzi (a name to watch) conducts Michael Hampe's Salzburg production of Rossini's comedy; cast headed by Agnes Baltsa, Deon van der Walt, Francois Le Roux and Claudio Desderi. Rodney Milnes

GARDENS

The Somerset and Avon Group of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens is holding a Rare Plant Sale on Saturday, 21 April (11-5) at Clapton Court Gardens, three miles south of Crewkerne on the B3165. This is an excellent chance to find choice and rare plants at reasonable prices. Entrance £1.50.

Ursula Buchan

THEATRE

Volpone, Almeida (836 6404), 3 April. Ambitious and successful season at the Almeida continues with this revival of Ben Jonson's satire directed by Nick Hytner and with lain MeDiarinid in the lead.

Look Look, Aldwych (8366404), 17 April. New play by Michael Frayn about audiences. Technically ingenious and witty, this promises to be an interesting production. Stephen Fry leads strong cast.

The Wild Duck. Ibsen classic, directed by Peter Hall, tours the country before arriving in London in May. Alex Jennings and David Threlfall lead the cast. Dates: Theatre Royal, York, 3-14 April; Palace Theatre, Manchester, 17-21 April; Theatre Royal, Bath, 23-28 April; New Theatre, Cardiff, 30 Apr-5 May. Christopher Edwards

SALE-ROOMS

Russian works dominate: the Massandra Collection (wines of the Tsars), Sotheby's; Russian art, Phillips, 2 April. Russian avant- garde art: pictures from the collection formed by George Costakis, Sotheby's, 4 April. Russian Pictures, Works of Art and Icons, Sotheby's; Russian avant- garde art, formerly the property of Kurt Benedikt, Christie's, 5 April. Peter Watson

CRAFTS

Devetsil: Czech Avant-garde Art, Architecture and Design of the 1920s and '30s, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, till 27 May. Czech modernism — furniture, photographs, typography, posters, paintings and sculpture — a coup for MoMA.

Sport 90, Design Museum, 6 April. Could be marvellous or banal but definitely intended to be a 'major' look at sport and design.

Alison Britton, Contemporary Applied Arts, WC2, till 28 April. Abstract painting and sculpture united in the work of this fine