First Call, Last Call

First Call

HAILING FROM Scotland, The Beta Band claim to be warriors against mediocrity and at a recent gig, a poet dressed as a druid came before the main bill while palm trees filled the stage. These were all in keeping with the band's spliced hip hop and disjointed rhythms, which are currently exciting music critics.

Irish Centre, Leeds (0113-248 0613) 14 Jun; Wulfren Hall, Wolverhampton (01902 552121) 15 Jun; Cambridge Junction (01223 511511) 16 Jun; Kilburn National, London W1 (0171-287 0932) 18 Jun

Last Call

THANKS TO its great popularity, the West End run of The Memory of Water has been extended for another six weeks. This touching and hugely entertaining comedy provides an insight into the lives of three sisters who are reunited for their mother's funeral. A neurotic maternal type, a paranoid doctor and a brattish youngest sibling recall their childhood, but find that personal grievances have coloured their memories, which differ greatly and cause immense friction. Samantha Bond left the cast last week, so Julia Sawalha and Alison Steadman (right) are joined by Stella Gonet.

Vaudeville Theatre, London WC2 (0171-836 9987) to 22 May