critics' choice

CINEMA

Cyclo (above) The Cyclo (Le Van Loc) works a cycle-taxi in Ho Chi Minh City, but when his bike is stolen, he must turn to crime to survive. A haunting, harrowing journey that suggests Bresson, Schrader and your strangest nightmares.

City Hall A brilliant and intricate conspiracy thriller in which the accidental shooting of a young boy sparks a chain of events that threatens to bring down New York's Mayor. Starring Al Pacino and John Cusack.

Get Shorty John Travolta's performance in Pulp Fiction was just a warm- up for his shimmering turn here as loanshark Chili Palmer.

Ryan Gilbey

THEATRE

Waiting for Godot "Let's go." "We can't." "Why not?" "We're waiting for Godot." A new production of Beckett's most famous play which still has the capacity to surprise and bewilder. Contact Theatre, Manchester

The Entertainer The career of acerbic performer Archie Rice is a metaphor for wider issues in this comedy from John Osborne who habitually looked back in anger. West Yorkshire Playhouse

Strangers on a Train (above) Wisely, Patricia Highsmith's nightmarish novel of muderous suspense, rather than Hitchcock's film, forms the basis of Craig Warner's adaptation. Chester Gateway

David Benedict

EXHIBITIONS

The British Art Show IV Five years ago, the last British Art Show provided critical controversy. This year's stars are Damien Hirst, Mark Wallinger and Georgina Starr (Visit to a Small Planet, above), and, surprise surprise, the critics have been moved to applause. City Arts Centre, Edinburgh

Duncan Macaskill For 10 years, Macaskill has been baffling acquaintances with hand-made postcards. Here is a chance to see the larger paintings. Djanogly Art Gallery, Nottingham

Max Ernst With a good selection of the leading Surrealist's paintings and frottages, this show is a rare treat. Yorkshire Sculpture Pk, W Bretton

Iain Gale

POP

Shed Seven (above) These Yorkshire Britpop terriers are still on their way up. They hit the tour trail to promote their second album, which includes their recent top 10 hit "Going for Gold". Newcastle University (0191-232 8402) Wed

Cable Nirvana-esque guitars from Derby, whose Down Lift the Up-Trodden album contained grimy melodic delights. Support comes from similarly loud guitar abusers Elevate. Edinburgh University (0131-650 1000) Thur

Catatonia Hard-edged pop with spiky lyrics from this tipped Welsh combo. Dundee Lucifer's Mill (01382 202490) Fri

Angela Lewis

CLASSICAL

Beethoven's Triple Concerto Violinist Mayumi Fujikawa (above), cellist Tim Hugh, pianist Howard Shelley, the BBC Philharmonic, and Vassily Sinaisky conducting Rachmaninov's Second Symphony. Manchester, Free Trade Hall, tonight

Shostakovich blockbuster Alexander Lazarev conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in the rare Symphony No 4 and Beethoven's Emperor Concerto. Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall, tonight

City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra Pick of south Yorkshire's young players reach the city's International Concert Season. Firth Hall, Sheffield University, tonight

Robert Maycock

DANCE

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (above) felt that their visit to Britain wouldn't be complete without a day trip to Blackpool where they are dancing tonight in a mixed-bill of contemporary work including Mark Morris's hot new piece Quincunx. Grand, Blackpool (01253 28372)

The Scottish Ballet are south of the border this week with a revival of their highly acclaimed production of La Sylphide. Royal, Newcastle, tonight; New Theatre, Hull, 16-20 Apr

Adventures in Motion Pictures are in Scotland with Matthew Bourne's witty yet powerful rethink of Swan Lake. Edinburgh Festival, tonight

Louise Levene