THEATRE / Previews & First Nights

HOT STUFF

A musical tribute to the Seventies concerning one man's fight for pop stardom as he sells his soul to the devil. Cambridge, WC2 (071-494 5040). Opens tonight.

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

Turgenev's passionate tragi-comedy. The play deals with the confusion, the jealousy and the ecstasy of unrequited love. Playhouse, Wiltshire (0722 320117). Opens tomorrow.

ELVIRA '40

British premiere of the story by Brigitte Jaques about a great French actor and his relationship with a naive student. Minerva, Chichester (0243 784437). Previewing; opens Fri.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

The magnificent award-winning production by Stephen Daldry of J B Priestly's conscience-probing play transfers to the West End. Aldwych, WC2 (071-836 6404). Previews Sat; opens 25 Aug.

THE CENCI

Damned Poets Theatre Co celebrate the bicentenary of Percy Bysshe Shelley's birth by performing his only complete stage play. Lyric, W6 (081-741 2311). Previewing; opens tomorrow.

LYSISTRATA

Peter Hall's production of Aristophanes' comedy in which women decide that the only way to prevent men from going to war with each other is to stop their love supply. With Geraldine James and Stephanie Bull. Wyndhams, WC2 (071-867 1116). Opens tonight.

THE OPEN COUPLE

Dario Fo and Franca Rame's comedy about a couple who have decided to have an open relationship. The husband sets the rules and becomes extremely disconcerted when his wife takes up the challenge. New End, NW3 (071-794 0022). Opens tonight.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

The Featherstonehaughs perform outdoors on a two-level giant advent calendar. As dusk falls, the five men fall into a world of triptychs and icons, gangsters, miracles and film noir. Outdoors at Southbank Centre, SE1 (071-928 8800). Friday to Sunday only.

GARRISON KEILLOR AND THE HOPEFUL GOSPEL QUARTET

Premiere of Garrison Keillor's new show which mixes gospel harmonies and Lake Woebegon humour. Ambassadors Theatre, WC2 (071-836 6111). Opens tomorrow until Sat only.