Listings: The Independent Recommends

Thursday 11 June 1998 00:02 BST
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Film Ryan Gilbey

London's more adventurous sensation-seekers are directed to the triple- bill by Jan Svankmajer playing throughout today. His two most feral and inspired features, Alice (a reworking of Lewis Carroll) and last year's Conspirators of Pleasure are showing alongside the disappointing Faust - though the visionary Czech on an off-day is still enough to give Wes Craven nightmares.

Everyman Cinema, NW3 (0171-435 1525)

Deconstructing Harry (left) has been accused of parading misogynistic tendencies, though this is one of the dangers of positioning the camera directly at the centre of an unpleasant character's psyche (Mike Leigh's Naked had the same problem). Harry Block (Woody Allen) is a pustulant boil of a man, but don't confuse his values with those of the film - what makes the picture such a progression for Allen is that, for once, he's scrutinising rather than celebrating himself.

On general release

Theatre Dominic Cavendish

Take-Away (below) Stephen Clark's behind-the-scenes comedy about a family- run Chinese restaurant facing an uncertain future following the death of its owner, is touchingly performed by Mu-Lan theatre company. For three brothers, the decision whether to stay or go is a question of identity - where do they belong? Although there are passages of over-earnest contemplation, things never get coated in the MSG of sentimentality.

Lyric Studio, Lyric Hammersmith, W6 (0181-741 2311) 8pm

Athol Fugard's 1996 hit, Valley Song, is being given its first Scottish outing by 7:84. On one level, it's the age-old story of generations in conflict: Veronica dreams of becoming a singer, but she will have to leave her grandfather behind. This is a parable about the new South Africa and the confusion that change brings, even for those who want it.

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh (0131-228 1404) 8pm

Pop Tim Perry

Hip-hop is set to become one of the major sounds of this summer and there's no better way to celebrate that revival than with the first of a string of UK dates by Afrika Bambaataa, one of the original New York scratch DJs and the man often described as the "godfather of hip-hop".

Plymouth, The Cooperage (01752 229275) 8.30pm

Headswim (right) wrap up the first half of a very successful year that has seen them shift from indie hopefuls to being a major label act which has garnered a Top 30 hit (the anthemic "Tourniquet"). By introducing a more eclectic vibe - from acoustic to psychedelic --these Essex boys have forsaken the sheer volume of old and come up with an exciting live experience.

Manchester, Hop & Grape (0161-275 2930) 8pm

Classical Duncan Hadfield

Recovering from heart surgery, it's a pity Bernard Haitink won't be conducting his own well-programmed Mozart/Richard Strauss mini-season with the LSO over the coming week. Still, three worthy deputy baton-wielders have been found, starting this evening with Walter Weller (right) who tackles Mozart's Jupiter Symphony and Strauss's massive Heldenleben. A former leader of the Vienna Phil, Weller will bring a Classical Viennese panache to Mozart's final symphony for hors d'oeuvres.

Barbican Hall, London EC2 (0171-638 8891) 7.30pm

This year's Aldeburgh Festival gets underway with Britten's translucent setting of A Midsummer Night's Dream. A large and colourful cast is assembled for this production directed by James Robert Carson and conducted by Michael Rosewall.

Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh (01728 453543) 7.30pm

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