The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 18

THE OBSERVER REVIEW, 24 DECEMBER 1967 Sir ELIZABETH HALL THE BEGGAR'S OPERA at Colour 61m of John Gay's ballad opera utarrins LAURENCE OLIVIER. Music arranged and cnmwised by Six Arthur Bllu Directed by Peter Brook Also Rembrandt, Painter of Man (). 1 i 7o Regal Films International Ltd Tuesday 26 Dec. 4.J0 p.m. St p.m.

THE BEGGAR'S OPERA n) Colour film of John Gay's ballad opera scarring LAURENCE OLIVIER. Music inranscd and composed by Str Arthur BUu Directed by Peter Brook Also Rembrandt, Patotcr of Man 4u). 10- 76 Regal Films i nternatlenai Ltd. Thursday 28 Dec. 7.45 p.m.

CHRISTMAS FANFARE PATRICK WYMARK Sana Ardonu (soprano) Rhondda Gillespie (piano aim unci Herincx (baritone) Elaar Howarth (trumpet) Maria Korchlnska Charp) Ddme Quartet. A special Christina Holiday programme for all ihe famJy. 13- 10- 76 Unirecitals Ltd. Saturday -V) Dec. 7.45 p.m.

ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL Bates's novel The Day of the Tortoise (Rediffusion) was entertaining enough in a mild way. The Bates philosophy If gin and copulation help us have life-enhancing fun, then praise ye gin and copulation is sympathetic if frequently betrayed by harsh reality, and as the symbolic tortoise (there was a real one, loo, tethered 10 a bit of string) Leonard Rossiter turned in a solid performance. Frances Cuka had a harder time with the tender sexy fun-lover, but you were glad they made it before she went off to join the father of her unborn child and he returned to looking after his three eccentric sisters. It went down easily. The Wednesday play, An Officer of the Court (BBC-1 was less smooth but far more interesting.

The third leg of Nemone Lethbridge's trilogy about crooked lawyers and their clients, it was on the whole the weakest and yet intermittently, the most impressive. Miss Lethbridge's black humour needs honing, her Runyonesque sentimentality about CTimirials pruning radically, but she has a real talent all right Splendid comic invention from Brian Piingle as the drunken solicitor's clerk and Tommy Godfrey as bis employer, Plantagenet King. On this showing, Mr Godfrey, paid his dues in music-hall, has the ability to develop into a very fine straight actor. RPO LPO LSO NPO BOOKING OPENS during the coming week (or the following concerts in THE 4 ORCHESTRA SERIES ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL Tues. LONDON Beethoven Vlcl Concerto in 2j PHILHARMONIC iVrwauati No.

7 In Bernard Haltlnfc at-, UK in-, iok ii6 8 p.m. London Philharmonic Orcluttrm Ltd NOW AVAILABLE Thurs. NEW PHILHARMON1A Mtr CastelBDOro- 25 Scrtra Comladon Tcdesco Concerto In JarL John William! ProWfle No. 6 in Hal 8 p.m. rVrlr PMUtermonla Orchestra Lid 7,6 NOW AVAILABLE i rKJTri-M Hmdn Symphony No.

101 in Cat un. lAjiNLiur. Sprinl Smlpbonr 28 PHILHARMONIC Elly Antellng Norma Procter ORCHESTRA A CHOIR Ronald Dowd Jan. Bernard Haltlak Wandsworth School Bon' Choir (Section) 7.30 p.m. London Philharmonic OrcnMtro Lid 7'6 I AVAILABLE FROM DEC.

28 'Money to Burn in the film-musical Half a Tickets from Royal Festival Hall Boa LPO LSO FRIDAY 19 JANUARY at 8.00 pjn. ENGLISH GBA1HBER ORCHESTRA MOZART PROGRAMME Symphony no. 36 in major K5M. Piano conceno In Sat major K45G. Piano CoDcerto In minor E4H.

DANIEL BARENBOIM oonductoraoioist Tfcirru J0'-. 21-. 13-. 10-. 76 NOW ON SALE Box Office (01-928 J191) A naua) aureate.

ROYAL ALBERT HALL MAHAttElt FRANK A. UUNOY Kensington, S.W.7. proven, but in the film it was enacted a scene of lyrical eroticism. Yet this kind of distortion doesn't really matter. In so episodic a film a narrator was essential and, as Swin-bupe, Christopher Logue's rasping voice not only bound it together but was incidentally faithful to the poet's youthful diabolism.

As the poem which accompanies the possibly fictional consummation proves, Rossetti was passionately in love with Mrs Morris. What does spoil it is. the transformation of Rossetti from a guilt-racked man of his time into a modern hedonist who, however bitterly he might regret the way he treated his wife, had no doubts as to his rights to physical satisfaction and behaved most of the time like a drunken film-star in a Roman nightclub. This is the heart of Russell's failure of nerve. He seems unable to believe that a study of a pre-Freudian man torn between his violent sexual impulses and a profound belief in the moral premises of Victorian England could possibly hold our attention.

He therefore has created a Rossetti who never existed another of his portraits of the artist as a wet-lipped, switched-on sensualist. Around this central sin cavort the lesser imps of Russell's terror of errnui. It's a fact that Rossetti despised Ruskin, that Holman Hunt had a ludicrous side to him, that the PRB were boisterous, but the high seriousness' of the Victorians is essential to our understanding of them, and to treat them all as buffoons is no help. Even when they were being ridiculous Russell is inclined to spoil the joke by over-emphasis. Hunt, in Arab head-dress with a gun under his arm.

PLEASE NOTE Patrons are advised that the Box Office will be closed until 10 a.m. Monday, January 1st. ST. FANCRAS TOWN BALL, Eusron Road. N.W.I Sunday, December 31, at 3 By Public Demand A special concert of Indian Music ALI AKBAR KHAN NIKHIL BANERJEE Sarod and' Sllar Dwli wtlk MAHAPURUSH MLSRA (labia) 21-.

15-. 107- BOOKING WED. Town Hall Box Office SJ7 7070 Ext. ISO) sr Under the icing sugar IF Scrooge-style home-truths are appropriate on Christmas Eve, I must confess to an incurable allergy to the music of Delibes. The relentless charm with which he conceals any trace of human feeling, as though under a coat of icing sugar, embodies for me the decline of ballet in France down the slopes of superficial hedonism.

This being so, Ashton's idea of abridging his Sylvia into one act, as he did at Covent Garden last week, seemed a splendid one. But oddly enough the long-drawn-out absurdities of the full version, which had a certain period fragrance, have vanished without much compensation. What's left is hardly worth doing. Nadia Nerina attacked the title role with rather more dash, than style and Gary Sherwood made a welcome Tetum in a smoothly danced interpretation of the hero. I suspect that the only viable way of reviving this old ballet is as pure period pastiche, with everybody in a tutu and wheelbarrows of pink satin It is the intense period feel which is beginning to make Ashton's La Valse, to Ravel's famous score, so enjoyable.

It is a marvellously true evocation of the Paris nirvana of the thirties (a follow-on to Delibes) which doomed lovers revolve endlessly under chandeliers in a cloud of champagne and haute couture. It's most cunningly worked out and was beautifully danced, especially bv Georgina Parkinson. After these stylish goings on the artless notes of Minkus's music for tLa Bayadere fell on the ear like spring water. Here at last was something genuine and personal, perfectly matched to the inspired simplicity ot Petipa's limpid dances. The long manoeuvres of the corps de ballet have the deliberate elegance of a drawing by Klee.

Beriosova appeared nervous and lost her pirouettes, and even Nureyev seemed too tense to give the essential flow to his breath-catching fireworks. But the three soloists Monica Mason Deanne Bergsma and Georgina Parkinson again were superb and the corps de baiiet richly deserved its share of the applause. This year's seasonal revival of Ashton's Cinderella came up better than ever. The ugly sisters of Ash ton and Helpmann remain supreme in a year which has produced strong drag competition Beriosova and Donald Macleary made a pair of fairy-tale lovers, and the first-act solos, the balletic highlight of the evening, have never been danced better by Jennifer Penney, Vyvyan Lorrayne, Merle Park and Deanne Bergsma. It's all pretty corny visually and the last act is a let-down (however did Sergeyev manage to make it into such a triumphant climax in his much-derided Kirov version 7) but it's a marvellous Christmas entertainment.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane SUNDAY, JANUARY 14tb, 1968, at 7.30 p.m, LAST APPEARANCE IN LONDON THIS SEASON JOAN SUTHERLAND with RICHARD BONYNGE at the piano Songs and Arias by Bellini, Donizetti, Dellbes, Massenet, etc. In aid of The London Academy of Music Dramatic Art Tickets: 7 5 3 2 15. Boxes Application lo Box Office LAMDA, 226. Cromwell S.W.S. Tel.

01-173 7017. Something for us all DETERMINED, this week, to look on the bright side, my accolades for Christmas go to Tommy Steele, Orson Welles and, bless her well-protected heart, Raquel Welch, ail of whom have, in different degrees, been life-savers to respective films. Tommy Steele first and, of course, Half a Sixpence (Astoria) couldn't exist without him, he is its life and. in so far as it has one, its soul. That mop of yeUow hair, the toothy grin, the angeJic bJue eyes have been irresistible ever since he sang the blues in a sequined jacket, heaven knows how long ago.

He has filled out a bit since then, and glows with the fine patina of success but his secret really is that success hasn't changed him, that basically ho has remained a cocky, generous, warmhearted fellow, rather than a star. Like Astaire and Kelly and all great professionals, he retains a kind of exuberant innocence a quality which Julie Andrews, to my mind, conspicuously lacks. Wells's Arthur Kipps, though sentimentalised a good deal in Beverley Cross's screenplay, is a great part for Steele a larky young draper's assistant who is walking out with his childhood sweetheart, he, comes iriito money and takes up with the high life, only to discover that all that glisters. This rather slight moral tale, whioh on the stage was moderately decorated with song and dance, has been blown up into a vast two-and-a-half -hour musical for (he screen and here my rose-coloured spectacles begin to cloud a little. There is far too much of iL When they reprise the reprise for the sixth time, boredom threatens when the choreo- fraphy is inflated into your full West ide Story, attention wanders.

Ever since Gene Kelly splashed around in that gutter, rain has been a must for musicals, and director George Sidney makes more than the most of it here: every other number seems to take place in a torrential downpom" realistic, no doubt, but a touch monotonous when the skies begin to cloud over yet again. These, however, are relatively minor criticisms. By and large, the film achieves what it so obviously set out to do to be a flash-bang-wallop of a picture, with something for everyone and everyone in it enjoying themselves fit to bust Julia Foster is excellent as Che little housemaid who loves Kipps through thick and thin, and Pamela Brown is very nice and svelte as the snobbish Mrs Walsing-ham. The whole thing looks delicious, and so it should at the price. Take the whole family without a qualm that's what it's there for.

That was easy, but what do we find in I'll Never Forget What's Isname (Riaito)? As I say, Orson Welles, and thank goodness without him, I fancy this would have been a very terrible picture indeed. The setting is the Permissive Society, in which all is rotten and advertising the most rotten of all. husbands and wives meet occasionally to chat about their extra-marital experiences (' There's nothing like other people's freedom for intruding on othesr people's lives is a fairly good example of the way they talk), and the only hope is to Get Back To Reality. Andrew Quint (Oliver Reed, quite touching at times, with a rare, fleeting resemblance to Bogarde) does this by smashing up his desk at the advertising agency with an axe and going back to work on a small literary, magazine run by a weak intellectual caJfed Nicholas INorman Rodway). Sim-utaaneously, he leaves his wife CWendy Craig) and child, and both his mistresses a clean slate is what he is after.

AH these dismal people were up at the University together, and there are some desperately affected outbacks to public Softool brutality which even Michael as a bumbling headmaster can't save. Quint finds a new and I think we are meant to suppose more satisfactory relationship with Georgina (very disappointingly played by Carol White), but like all good things she is destroyed. The magazine is bought by the advertising agency, and in order to revenge himself Quint makes a commercial of quite unbelievable triteness and vulgarity, whioh is meant QUEEN'S. Ret 1166. Eva.

1.0. Thur. 2.30 Sal and Dec. 26 5.30 A S.30. ROBERT MORLEY (n PETER USTINOV'S HALFWAY UP THE TREE Directed by JOHN GIELGUD ROYAL COURT.

SLO 1745 7.30. St 5 8. Open lo the Public. A Russian Fairy Tale. THE DRAGON One of the most dclkshitul Chrtamu enicrcaJnintriits In Loodon," Times.

ROYAL COURT. Slo 1745. Daily 2.30. Sai 11.30 aan. A 2.30.

Paper Baa Children's Theatre in GROUP SOUP. Truly lor the children Times. ROYAL FESTIVAL HAlX. Wat. 3191.

Dec. 26 to Jan. 13 dally 3 7-30 (no mac. Jan 9h 11. 12.

LONDON'S FEST1VA1-0AXXET in spectacular production of THE NUTCRACKER SAV1LLE. Tern 4011. D'OYLY CARTE to Gilbert A Sullivan. 7.30 Wd. Sat Dec 26 2.30 Tue.

A Wed. lolantlte Thur. Fri. Sat. Trial by Jury Pinafore.

SAVOY. Tem BB88 Evas 8.0. Wed. 2.30. Sal A Dec.

26th al 5.0 and 8.0. DOUGLAS WILMER. MURIEL PAVLOW NAUNTON WAYNE. MICHAEL GWYNN According to the Evidence A civilised thriller comedy Times. SC ALA 01-636-5731 2 A 6.30 lo 20 Ian Easy parking evi.

Millicem Martin, Paul Dflrjeman PETER PAN SHAFTESBURY. TEM 6596. Evs. 8.15. Fri.

Sat A Dec 26. 27 6.15 and S.43 JIMMY EDWARDS. ROY CASTLE In THE SECOND BIG YEAR of BIG BAD MOUSE FUNNY. FAST A JOLLY Guardian STRAND. Tem 2660.

Eveolus at 7.45 San and Dec. 26 at 5.0 A 8.30 ALAS FAIR SIM, MICHAEL DENISON DULC1E GRAY and JOHN GR.EGSON to NUMBER 10 The New flay by Ronald Millar tram the NottjI by William Clark 1 IT ALL PURE THRILLS IT'S A POSITIVE JUY Financial Timea. VAUDEVILLE. .30. Tti 2.30 Sai.s A.

Dec 26 .1 h' Ph I li CaJ vert Tony Br'nton Diane Hart. James Haytcr. Pauline Jameson, Aenea Poriland Mason in Wilde's A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE SO STYLISH, SO People. DELICIOUSLY Ev. Stand.

VICTORIA PALACE. Vic 1317. Twice Nlly. at 6.15 and 8.45. TV's Fastest Spectacular THE BLACK AND WHITE MINSTREL SHOW World ceo rd-flrcorrins Musical Now In tlh Year Booking until Nov 1968.

WESTMINSTER. Vic 02S1 Tues to SaL 2.10 6.15 Fxlta perl. Jan 1. 6, 15. GIVE A DOG A BONE WHITEHALL.

rWhi W2 vs 7 in. Mats rds A 17CC 2ti. 7H 7 t0 Salt 10 10 VK'HOLAS PARSONS. JnAN SIMS. GEOFFREY SUMNER.

BFN WARRISS I UPROAR IN THE HOUSE -FUNNY HA-HA -Dly Esp Rigoletto re-imagined VERY properly, Sadler's Wells is not content with lazy routine, but tries to inject into its productions something of the spirit that makes London's theatre in the sixiies so exhilarating. Occasionally, it does so with more energy than discretion, as in a recent which by piling Brecht on Verdi showed little understandiDB of either Rut Miohael Geliot's new oroduction of Rigoletto is a good example of how a rresn look at a hoarv old drama can freshen one's involvement in it. For instance, the ore nine rjartv is not the usual decorous occasion with the ladies of the chorus simDermn politely at the gentlemen as they go mrough the motions of a courtly dance. It is a wild rout, suddenly Drought to a halt by the furious in cursion of a man whose daughter has been laid by the Duke; in a word. a drama instead of just one more operatic chorus.

In this scene Annena Stubbs's set does a good deal less than jusdee to the splendours of renaissance Mantua. But she provides simple but telling solutions to the second and fourth acts, where two sections of the stage are simultaneously visible, and thus offers the basis for Mr Geliot's un usually clear and effective handling of the interaction between them effective, that is, until Gilda chose to sit with her fee in what I had taken to be the waters of the Po. But there's the rub, for into this bravely reimagjned drama wander the same old unregenerate opera singers. Robert Allman has a rich voice of the right dimensions for the title role, and that is something to be grateful lor. But Cis use ot it is so clumsy and persistently loud that little of the hunchback's twisted psychological complexity comes across.

Maria Pellegrini's singing was often accomplished, but I don't think it was merely some shrill high notes and uneven production that makes her Giida so unaffecting. As the Duke, Ion Andrew tries as so many schoolmasters write at this time of year of pupils who haven't had a very good terra. His voice rings out clearly, and there are a few stylish moments, but this is no licentious nobleman and his mezza voce is shadowy. Indeed, by sir the best singing comes in two small roles Don- Garrard's impressive Monterone and a strikingly suave and sinister Sparafucile from Stafford Dean, whose admirable articulation made mt aware of the virtues of Andrew Porter's neat, simple and apt translation. That the musical performance as a whole rises far above the level of the main performers is due to Mario Bernardi's exceptionally fine conducting.

Sometimes his unerring sense of when to accelerate in a stretta is not matched by a sense of where to give a culminating line its head. But to hear Mr Bernardi launch his modest orchestra into each new number is to experience a slight quickening of the pulse. Taut rhythms, firm and precise articulation of detail, and a rare feeling for the music's brilliance as well as its sombre tragedy, all pro claim a Verdian of real authority. Gallery guide Arts Co uncil. Su per-el ega nt arch i tectural drawings by Charles Cameron, the mystery Scot who worked in Russia for Catherine the Great Previously seen at the Edinburgh Festival, this set of classical designs lent by Moscow and Leningrad is now supported, to its great advantage, by modern photographs.

But the excellent catalogue still leaves some mysteries. How and where, for instance, did the oddly unclassicai male figure get himself into the mouldings in the Green Dining Room at Tsarskoe Selo and when, incidentally, did the pale Regency lime of that room turn into bold emerald? Orion. It's nice to come across such unembarrassed eroticism as there is in John Pelllng's furious canvases. But this whirling approach loses tension if it is not set against some discipline of form or colour. One or two examples here have jusi this quality, and all are lively and independent-minded.

N. G. Cllt67 by (Maad fsohira SyndmM. Inc on Feb 1st next PARIS-PULLMAN, Drayton S.W 10 FRE 5818. LA MARSEILLAISE (L).

Renoir. Plus XMAS CARTOONS (U). Progs 3.20. 5.40. S.

15 PRINCE CHARLES. What's New Pussycat 1 (X The Knack (X) Progs. 4.00. 7.30. RIALTO 437 3488 Orson Welles Oliver Reed Carol White-Harry Andrews I'LL NEVER FORGET WHAT'S 'ISNAME (XI Tech Progs Today 3.35 5.55 8.15.

RITZ. Lee Marvin POINT BLANK (X) Progs 2.30. 4 35. 6.40. 8.45.

ROYALTY. Hoi 8004. SEVENTEEN (X Ldn) Secret Parti (XI. Col Separate pcrfs. Bkble.

11 30, 1.35. 4.40. 7.5S. Sun. 4.30.

7.45. STL'DIO ONE, Osf. Cir. Wall Disney's new (uIMength cartoon THE JUNGLE BOOK (U) The Boy the Eagle IU) Pgs 2.45 5.30 8.15. Closed Xmas day.

Open Noon Boxing day. WARNER 417-3423 1 Fully Lrcenscd Bar) CAMEI.OT (LI Tech 70mm. Separate Performances. Today 3.0 A 7.15 Wkdys 2.30. 7 45.

Sara. 2.30 7.45 WINDMILL. Ger. 7413. Great Family Holiday Show Vfrginia McKenna.

Bill Travcrs in BORN FREE (Ul 2.25. 4.25, 6.35. B.45. Indicates open H(NGAHIN" ART TREASURES. 9rh fib Centuries Victoria A Alhcri MiBcum.

7. Weekday tiVh. SimJava 2.0-6. Adnivsri 2 tt, INTERCR AFT on ly anuf act re syiem irahrncis. chair, cic bul deal in unified idcaj for nfficr reiiritarmaijnru See tor yLvursclf at mi, exhibn.

Hi Ooot RcrkneT So Hnitse. Herkfiry 1 HVP l2. IV AN ST RAKER'S Academy in Soho Sq. J'hnrn-NuiJct J-v p.m JO. Tommy Steele singing to show them all what they really are on the contrary, they love it the one truthful touch in the picture.

I Quint is trapped. If I have indicated the whole plot without even mentioning Mr Welles, it is not surprising. As the advertising tycoon, Jonathan Lute, who persecutes and triumphs over Quint, the picture is almost entirely unnecessary to him. He sails serenely through it, slightly camp, faintly sinister, shaking a cereal packet and murmuring, disappointed, I thought it was meant to make humorous 1(4 tie noises at observing all the hipped-up antics the direction and story with a wry and rather weary detachment. I wouldn't say that Miohael Winner's sadly pretentious film is worth seeing for his performance there is always an old Orson Wolles movie about, which would be a good deal more rewarding.

Opu'oiism sadly shaken, I really do not know what to say about Bedazzled ICarlton), a rehash of the Faust Story in which Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Eleanor Bron perform, and Raquel Welch indubitably stars, Stanley Donen makes the whole amateur bag of tricks look lovely, which somehow makes it worse. Messrs Cook and Moore, both experts on an 18-inch screen, have patently sold their souls to the devil. Let's hope that, like the hero of this embarrassing non-frolic, they get them back before it's too late. Embarrassment is as nothing compared with the stupefied bewilderment, the enraged incomprehension, with which I reacted to Fallow that Camel (Leicester Square Theatre). As a considerable fan of the Carry Ons and someone who thought Don't Lose Your Head was one of the funniest films in years and someone who is (1 am falling over myself to say all this in time) a devoted admirer of Mr Kenneth Williams.

I was thoroughly looking forward to this picture. I am not, therefore, being over-intelJectuaJ, mean-minded or crabbish merely bitterly disappointed. Jim Dale, with an accent that only Higgins could place, is meant to be a young aristocrat accused of cheating at cricket. He joins the Foreign Legion, which consists of Phil Silvers as the noxious Sergeant Nocker, Kenneth Williams as Commandant Burger and Charles Hawtrey as Captain Le Pice. The desert looks like a particularly scruffy part of Hayling Island the skies are grey, a north wind blows and no one casts a shadow, even while they're! dying of thirst The shoddiness of Che whole production is ably served by the horrors which pass for jokes.

What do you suppose they had that the Pill) for 'I can't conceive I 'f want to punch your ticket check your porthole see if your accommodation is squeals Miss Angela Douglas (the only bright spot, she is, in the whole inspissated business) as the lights are turned out, that's a funny way to punch my ticketcheck my porthole' WYNDHAM'S. Tem. 3028. Evss. al B.

Mats. Weds. Sau. A Dec. 26 at 3 (except Dec.

27) ALEC GUINNESS Gordon JACKSON, Simon WARD in WISE CHILD by Simon Gray. Dtrectecf by John Dexter. GU1NKE5S al bis masier.y best. Timea. A BRILLIAJVT FIRST D.

Sk. WEMBLEY EMPIRE POOL. Cinncrellu on Ice. Box inn Day A Dec. 27 A all Sals.

2. 5, 8 sba. Moris 10 Fris 3 7.45. Child -i price, most perls. Tel 01-902 1234 A Ajjcjiu.

TALK OF THE TOWN (011734 5051. From 8.15, DJnlmr and Dancing 9 JO p.m. Revue WILD WEST END and at 11 t.m. SANDIE SHAW PAX, ACE (Waif oid 25671). 26 Dcc-20 Jan AMANDA BARRIE In ALADDIN.

Nfau most days. Box Office open 10 a.m -8 p.m. UNIQUE FOLK THEATRE PRODUCTION The Slngera Club Dteaents Ewbd MacCoU'a 'Festival of Fools 1967' Fcaruiintr EWAN PEGGY SEEGER ind the London Critics Group. A living documentary of nbe ouiiroJna year comprisJna folk song and satire. December 27-30: January 1-10.

Doors open 7.13 p.m. for 7.45 p.m. (Sunday Jan 7th doors open 6.30 p.m. for 7.15 p.m.) At the New Merlin's Cave, Margery Street, W.C.I. Admission 5- members; 76 trucs's payable at door or in advance from L.C.S.

Education Dept. 1 16, Noctlnif HJll Gate, W.H. BROMLEY NEW. 460 6677. DEC 26-JAN 20.

MICHAEL BENTTNE In BABES IN THE WOOD. Prices 36-106. I TnYwiaJlMafJl 1 BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY (2020J1 Erej. 7.30 Artcmoont 2.30 Tues. 26tn Dec 4 weeks TREASURE ISLAND by Robert Louis Stevenson Tues.

23rd Jan. 2 weeks SIGNPOST TO MURDER by Mnnfe Doyle presented by arrangement with Emlle LUilcr. CITIZENS' THEATRE GLASGOW Tel 04 SOU 0022. Evas. T.JCI.

Sais. 5 8 till 13th Jan. ROOKERY NOOK Tne tannics play in ihe wmrltl SpocLaJ holiday perts. a i 5 8 on 25tti. Dec.

1st. 2nd Jan. dose theatre clnb SOUth 1200 Eves. 8 p.m. ill 7th Jan.

LUV A Broadway Comedy by Murray Schfsiraf. YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE GUILDFORD. Tel. 6U19I. Dec.

2fiih to lan. Uih Twice Daily at 2.10 A 7 IE AN BAYI. ISS ROFlIRT DORNING JOHN MOFFATT in JACK and the BEANSTALK hv )ohr MotT.itl Dueled t-y WENDY 1'OYE see if, etc' At one moment, I swear, somebody actually says Oui, oui; and giggles. From the titles on, everything looks hideous and sounds worse. This tatty picture deserves, to my mind, a quick death.

It will probably live foe years. On Thursday Far From Vietnam directed by, among others, Resnais, Lelouche and Godard opens at the Paris Pullman. I can only say "ow that this brilliant and moving picture should be compulsory Christmas viewing for all of us who overindulge ourselves into a state of hoggish indifference. Will some enterpThing television company please show it and soon? A failure of nerve AS AN artist, and he is undoubtedly that. Ken Russell suffers from tne malaise of our period he can't or won't allow himself to be dull.

He has virtually invented and personally justified a new TV form; the fictionalised biography in which a fluid and contemporary subjectivity takes the place of conventional time-sequence or strict respect for historical fact He has created images and sequences which remain as astonishing in retrospect as they were on the screen Isadora's vision of the thousands of dancing children at the moment of her death is an obvious example, but it is one of many. He is almost unchallenged in his ability to re-create the physical look of a period and its men and women without turning it into an animated waxwork show. Yet, finally, he betrays his highest potential and for the reason have suggested. He won't risk boring Us. Dante's Inferno (BBC-1) is presumably his TV swansong and displays his many virtues and his sole but fatal vice with exemplary clarity.

The subject the Pre-Rapihaelites in general and Rossetti in particular, is fascinating enough, and Russell has succeeded in reanimating these extraordinary men and in inventing images whioh make their vision of a medieval never-never land and their excitement at its exploration entirely credible to another age. He has taken considerable historical liberties. Swinburne, whose role in Rossetti's life was short-lived and whose dipsomania and hysteria were of concern to the older man, has become the sardonic narrator of the whole history and the amused if debauched spectator of his mentor's degeneration. The adultery with Janey Morris remains in reality non LEICESTER PHOENIX. Td 5SS32 British Premiere Planchon-i THE THREE MUSKETEERS.

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE Tel 45671 Evnas. 7.30. Sat. 3.0 A B.0. Mau Tue, Wed.

Thur (Mid-week Matinee 2.30) Eves Tue. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Wed. Thur STAIRCASE Fri. Sat DANDY DICK SHEFFIELD PLAYHOUSE (22949) twice dallr THE GiNGERURLAD UONKEV. THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR' WK 61107 Running until 3 Feb Twice dally 2.30 A 7.30 Toe Windsor Pantomime THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IPSWICH ARTS THEATRE.

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS adapted by Oliver Neville. Till Jan. 13. ACADEMY ONE. Gee 2981.

Jair.es Joyce's ULYSSES (X) (London). Wkdya. 2 30. 5 30, 8.3U Suns 5.0. 8.30.

AH seats bookable. ACADEMY TWO. Ger 5)29. DUTCHMAJM (X) I'ontte Let's All Make Lore to Loodon (A). Progs 3.40.

6.05. 8.30. ACADEMY THREE. Ger 8SI9. Till Jan 17.

HUNGER (X) (London) 3.45, 6 15, 8 45 ASTORIA Cbar. Rd. Tommy Steele in HALF A SIXPENCE (ID Tech Sep perts. 2 30, 8 0. Sat.

2.30, .8.0. 11.30 Sun 4.0. 7 45 All Bookable, (Per 5385). BERKELEY, Ton Crl Rd MUS 8150. UN HOMME ET UNE FEMME (X Vafda'a Le BONHEUR XK Progs.

4.30, 7.25. CAMBRIDGE Tem 6056 Charlton Heston WILL PENNY (A) Today Pas 4.30 7,30. CAMEO MOULIN. Ger. 1653 Gt.

Windmill St. The Secret Film I Jean-Loup Grosdard's MASSACRE FOR AN ORGY (X) plus the Danish Film banned jn Denmark 1 Knud Lief Thomscn's GIFT (X). Where sen means poison 2.5, 5, 7.55. CAMEO POLY. 636 0785 1039.

Richard Burton and Eliza beth Taylor in DOCTOR FAUSTUS (X. Technicolor. Sen. perts. 2.30.

6 A 8.30. All seats bkble. CAMEO ROYAL CX Rd. Whi 6915. lean-Luc Godjrd A.

olhers direct Raquel Welch Jeanne Moreau in THE OLDEST PROFES-SION (X) IColour) Proas. 2.45. 5 15. 7 50 CAMEO VICTORIA (Vic 6588) Charles Azna-voui Susan Hampshire PARIS IN AUOUST (X) N4KED HEARTS (X) 2.5. 3.55 7 25 Thurs THE PRIVATE RIGHT (X) BRUTE FORCE A CARLTON 930 3711 Peter Cook Dudley Moore Eleanor Bron BEDAZZLED (A) Col.

Progs 3.20 5 45 8 15 CASINO CINERAMA. I Per 6877.) NOW I CUSTER OF THE WEST fU) Today 4.30 7.45. Daily 2.0. 5.20. 8.40.

Sat 2.0. 5.20. 8.40 A 12 rrrfdnisht Bookable. COLISEUM CINERAMA. Tem 1161.

GRAND PRIX (A) in Cinerama hxl-iy ar J.JO A 7 3.) Daily 2.0. 5.20 40 Sats. 2.0. 20. 8.40 and 12 midnight OoohabJe.

COLUMBIA. Must end Dec. 30. E. Taylor.

R. Hurt on The Taming of the Shrew fUl. Tech. Sep. pels.

2.30. 6.0. 8.30. Saturday 2. JO.

30. 11.30 pm Sunday 4.30. 8 All ieats OooLablc. IRcs 54141 1EP 1 Office (01-92 3191) and usual Agents. NPO RPO Tht Sldlen Wclla Production of HANSEL and GRETEL TODAY B.B.C.

1 4.5 p.m. Is recorded complete on HMV CSD 15767 U) CLP ISIS A (m) DUKE OF YORK'S. (Tern 5122.) Eva 8.15. Sal Dec. 26, 6.0.

8.45. Thur. 3.0. JUDY CAMPBELL. COLIN GORDON.

PHILIP GUARD. POLLY ADAMS RELATIVELY SPEAKING Too Comedy Hit by Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Niacl Patrick. FUN DOWN TO THE LAST DROP Tlmea FORTUNE. Tem 2238. Daily 2.0 5.0 TOAD OF TOAD HAUL GARRICK.

Hilarity Ev. N. (Tern 4601). Et. 8.

Tu 2.45, Sa. 5.45; 8.30. Brian RIX. Leslie CROWTH ER Elspet GRAY. Derek FARR.

Leo FRANKLYN LET SLEEPING WIVES LIE GLOBE. (Ger 1592.) F.veruna 15. Sacs A Dec 26 at 6.0 and .40. GERALD BELINDA WILLIAM FLOOD CARROLL FRANKLYN There's a Girl in my Soup 5ma4h Hit Comedy by Terence Frisby. SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT D.

Ex. 2nd YEAR of International Comedy Hit. HA YM ARRET. Whi. 9832.

Evm. 7.45. Sat. Dec'. 26.

5.0, S.15. Wed. 2.30. Cicely COURTKEIDGE, Richard TODD, Lilly BOWERS. Joyce CAREY, Ursula HOWELLS.

Pcrlita MEILSON. Valeric WHITE and Jack HULBERT In DEAR OCTOPUS The Famous Comedy by Docile SMITH. IT IS SIMPLY GREAT ENTERTAINMENT" Financial Times. BEAUTIFULLY ACTED Telegraph HER MAJESTY'S. Whi 6606 Evenlnaa 7.J0.

Mats Wed. Sat Dec 26 2.30 TOPOL In the world's most acclaimed musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF With MIRIAM KARLTO. Directed and Chorcoaranhed by JEROME ROBBINS SUPERB Sunday Express LYRIC. Ger 3686. 7.30.

Thur. Sat. Dec. 26. 2.30.

Two outstanding performances Tel. IRENE WORTH, JOHN CLEMENTS HEARTBREAK HOUSE MAY FAIR- May 3036. Daily 2 p.m.. 4 p.m. SQOTY'S XMAS '67 MERMAID 248 7656 1 Restaurant 248 2835) Dfy 2.M A 5.U.

A. Sals II a.m. Barry Humphries TREASURE ISLAND with Spike Miljigan. NEW. Tem 3878 Evas al S.

Sal. 6 and 8 40. Mai. Tues. 3.

ALFRED MARKS. Joyce Heron, Melvyn Hayes in LONDON'S LONGEST RUNNING COMEDY SPRING PORT WINE POPULAR PRICES NOW AT ONLY 31- to 20i- OLD VIC. THE NATIONAL THEATRE Tues. at 7 .30 ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Wed. 7.30 Dance of Death.

Thur. 21! a 7 30 Frl. 7.30 Flea In Her Ear. Sal. 2.15 A 7.30: TartaJTe.

SeaLs available Thiu. matinee 01-928 7616. PALACE. Ger 6834 7.30. Sal.

40. S.40 Wd Dec. 2h. 27 28. 2.45.

John HANSON DESERT SONG. Rare Deliuhl D. Ep. PALLADIUM. Ger 737t Daily 2.45 Lt 7 lo ENGELBERT HUMPERD1NCK JIMMY LOGAN.

HOPE it KEEN and ASKF.Y In rum-ly Pantomime ROBINSON CRUSOE PHOENTX (Tern Still Evenmns 9tf Mats Wed. 2.30. Sals A Dec. 26 5.0 A HO Huarh A Mar-Rarer Williams' New Success Let's AH Go Down The Strand with GLADYS COOPER. FVELYN LAYE HUOH WILLIAMS.

DINAH SHERIDAN WILLIAM KE7VDALL. Lou or fun aning in attract ddlahicd nudlcnccs lor a ions imrc Liaily rlcvraph. Special REDUCED PRICES al Wed Mau. PICCADILLY. Ger 4506 Itnijl Jan 6 daily 4.30 A 7.45.

then Evs 7 d. Wed. A Sal 4 30 LIONEL ART'S musical OLIVER WHAT A BAIL I WHAT Fl'N NOW AT ONLY ft 'ft in 20'. PRINT Of-' WALES. Whi Sat A JV Wf-d 0.

Dec 26. II J1JLIET PROWSE in Hi- T-lea Hli Musical SWEET CHARITY reconstructing for a photographer his method of painting The Scapegoat had, in reality, a touching absurdity, but to make him play the clown in front of a music-hall backcloth of the Sphinx is to kill it dead. The whole film is so boisterous as to become exhausting. Every easel is knocked over, every model is upended, and yet finally it remains a formidable achieve ment. The opening ot Elizabeth Sid-dal's coffin to retrieve the manuscript poems has a high gothic horror which in no way betrays this extraordinary incident.

The dream sequences are beautiful and terrifying. If only such moments couldhave emerged from a flatter landscape. In Contrasts (BBC-1) earlier in the week Ann Turner had written and Ha! Burton produced another film on the Pre-Raphaelites. This was informative, even-paced, and illustrated by contemporary photographs. I found it fascinating but am aware thait only viewers already interested in the PRB may share my enthusiasm.

This may be true, but how I wished that Russell could have borrowed a little of its unpretentious respect for the subject. Two plays which, in another week, would have taken up more space. Julian Bond's adaptation of H. E. iic-Ktis to see "yoO'RE A 6000 MAN, lHKLlt: BKUION OPENING AT NEW LONDON SYNAGOGUE CONCERTS 33 ABBEY ROAD, N.W.8 Sunday, 31st December, 167, 3 p.m.

MELOS ENSEMBLE HUMMEL CLARrNET QUARTET BEETHOVEN SEPTET in Flat, On. 20 TICKETS: 20A. 10, Available Tram Concerts Secretary. 31 Bam Way. Wembley Park.

Mldda. 101-904 37S0). COVENT GARDEN OPERA. Wed. Sal 7 OTELLO Thtir.

7.30 NoraM. AM jeatt aoJd. COENT GARDEN. THE ROYAL BALLET Tues 2.15 i 7.30 aod Sat. at 2.

II CINDERELLA Frt. 7. SO Sytria. La Bayadere, La Valie. All seau add.

General Bookifts Cor new period to March 9 open Thtira. 01-2O 1066. CAOLER'S WELLS. 01-837 1672. OPERA in English.

Tues. and Sat. at 2.30 DIE FLEDE MA US Tuea. i. Sat 7.30 LA BELLE HELEN E.

vi ed 7 30 A PENNY FOR A SONG. Thur. 311 IDOME.NEO. Frl. 7.10 R1GOIJTTO.

HOI I. FESTIVAL HALL. Wa 3191. Dec. 2 to lan.

dally 3 1. 10 ino mat Jan. 1. II. I2J LONDON'S FESTIVAL BALLET In iDCClacular prodn.

of THE NUTCRACKER ADELPHL Tan 7611. Evi. 7.J0. Thur. 3.0.

Sau. 5 30 8.30. Dec. 26 27 2.30. JOE BROWN.

AJVNA EAGLE CHARLIE GIRL HY HAZELL. DEREK NIMMO THE HILARIOUS COMEDY MUSICAL NOW BOOKING f()R 196S lla 3RD GREAT YEAR Good Seau Now for Mau Dec 27 Jt 28. ALDWYCH Tem 6404 RSC in Vanbrush't THE RELAPSE Donald Sinden ihe rxxmic DerfOTTbaiice of the year Sim (Tu A 2.3P 7.30 Last 4 perls). Return of THE HOLLOW CROWN with Ajhcrofr, Best, GodLrey. Jayston A Si rid en (Th 7.30 Sal 2.30 7.30 Last 4 peris).

Toe SiraLford production of MACBETH Paul Scondd a Brcal perforraancc Observer rlan 4 p.m. Jan 5 A 6. 7 30). AMBASSADORS. Ev.

Tuej. 2 43 SaB. 5. 8. AGATHA CHRISTIE THE MOUSETRAP SIXTEENTH MIND-BOGGLING YEAR 1 APOLLO.

Ger 2663. Evs 8.15. Thur. 2.30. Sau Dec.

26 at 6.0 and 8.40 ANNA MASSEY. RONALD LEW7S TOBY ROBINS, PATRICK ALLEN THE FLIP SIDE Hush A Maxaaret Williams Comedy HIT THE EVENING SPARKLES E. News. ARTS fi'6 3J34 THE ROYAL PARDON Nijrhilv at 7.30 lo 7 Jan inci Sups. COCHRANE.

242 "J040. Daily at 3 p.m. 7 p.m. Louisa M. Alton' LITTLE WOMEN.

Ideal Vran Show. Mighry Enjoyable P.M. COMEDY. Whi 257S. Ev, 6 .15.

Wed. 3.0. San 0 and R.40. Extra Mats. V0.

Dec. 2tD 2. 2H. 29. Sandy WfKon's musical THE BOY FRIEND ABSOLUTELY ENCHANTING ENTERTAINMENT 1 H.

Hobscn, S. Times CRITERION. Whi Evs 15. Thurv S31s ct Dec. 26 at fi S45.

A lampoon MRS. WILSON'S DIARY A GLOWING E. Stand. IMMENSELY ENJOYABLE IT MAKES ONE. HAPPY TO BE Times DRl RV LANE (Tem BIOS).

Evas 7.30 Wed. Sat. A Dec 26 2 30 Comedy Musical HARRY SECOMBE in THE FOUR MUSKETEERS glltter.no. GIGANTIC. BREATH- Lt SS N'OTK A BO UT MUSFCAL Sk A TRIUMPH Evening News.

GREAT TWl'MPING SUCCESS Sun A 7.7 LING. TVNFFVL AND WITH A TfiLTH ftF THE GOC tN Daily Tjiprf-a Dl "HESS. 1cm SMI F.v, (V i.n St. A Dec 26. fi ll 2nd VFAR of Thr thriller tr asn ONir-rvcl 1 NA MfiR LS in WAIT UNTIL DARK A 'h'lli'r 'v rccti-nck nor, IJjsJ 1 THE FORTUNE THEATRE with the original New York cast EVERYMAN.

HAMpstead 1525 Tod ly iv. r. aimpson irtve itai renuuLun (VI). Boxing Day 34th Anniversary Programme Keaton THE GENERAL IU). Tali MONSIEUR HULOTS HOLIDAY (U).

GALA ROYAL Amb. 2345. THE GREAT ESCAPE (U 633 Squadron (Al 6 0 7 sp COLDERS GREEN IONIC 455 1724 Tony I. ur-tis Jack Lcmmon Natalie Wood THE GREAT RACE (U) Sun 4.30 7.20. Wk 1.50 1 )' 7 15.

INT. FILM TH. Bay 234S. CASINO ROY ALE (Ul A Home of Yoctr Own (U) 4.15, 7.20. JACEY.

Piccadilly Circus. REG 1449. AN ALL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME. M. HULOTS HOLIDAY (V), plus Donald Duck A Bugs Bunny.

Seals 76. Children 5-. Progs. 4.15, 6.15. 8.20.

LEIC. SO. TH. mo 2521 FOLLOW THAT CAMEL (Al Col. Progs.

3.45. SIX. S.30. LONDON PAVILION. (111-457 2J-i2 1 Terence Stamp.

Carol While POOR COW (X) Progs. Today at 2 5 5.30 and 8. 10. METROPOLE (814 0208 5500, 467.1) FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD IU). Tech.

Sep. peril Weekdays 2.30 7 .45. Late night show Saturday 11.15 pm. Sunday 3.45, 7.45. Ml seats Bookable.

ODEON, HaymarkeL CWhi 2738.) Paul ScoBcld in A Man For All Seasons (U). 6 Oscars including Best Firm. Separate performances bookable 2.30, 5.45, 8.45. Sun 4.30, 8.15. Late night show Saturday 11.15.

ODEON, Marble Arch. Res Harrison. Samamha Egsar. Anthony Newlcy DOCTOR DOLITTLE lO and Richard Aiienborrjugrf. In Todd-AO Col.

Sep. perls. 2.30. 8.0 Sunday 4.0. R.n seats bookable Licensed bars.

1723 2011) ODEON, St. Martin's Lane. (BJd 18U .1 Julre Andrews. THOROUGHLY' MODERN MILLIE (U) Tech. Sep.

perls. 2.30 A 8 0 I A Sat 2.30. 8.0, 11.13 p.m. Sunday 4.0. 8 0.

Bookable In advance at Theatre A Agents. CLASSIC CINEMAS WEL. 00818836 BAKER ST. Alec Guinness. Robert Newton.

OLIVER TWIST (VI) 4.0. 6.30. 8.40. CHELSEA. Jeanne Moreau, Brlgjne Bardot, VIVA MARIA! tAJ 4.30.

6.30, 8.35. CROYDON. Jerry Lewis. THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY (U). 5.45.

9.15 Fred McMur-ray The Abseot-Mlnded Professor (n) 3.55 7.20 DALSTON. John Wayne. Lee Marvin. DONOVAN'S REEF (VJI Carry on Canny (n HAMPSTEAD. Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton.

CLEOPAITIA (A) 3.50, 7.15. KILBURN. Norman Wisdom. JUST MY LUCK (U) 5.50, 9.15 The Builders Breed (U 4.0 7.20. NOTTTNG HIH Gi.

Gordan i Ftae. Shirley Jones. CAROUSEL (U) 4.0. o.S. 8.30.

PICCADILLY CIRCUS. Audrey Hepburn, Albert Finney, TWO FOR THE ROAD IAI 1.50. 4.0 6.15 8.30. PRAED ST. James Stewart, SHENANDOAH () Walt Disney's Horse -without a Hend to) STOCK WELL.

Tom Courtenay. KING RAT ia) 4.45 8.15 Hunse of Mystery (al 3.35 7.5 TOOTING EEC. James Stewart. SHENANDOAH (n) 5.25 8.45 All for Mary 4.0 7.15 VICTORIA Stn. Cartoon Cinema.

Wall Disney's WIND IN THE WILLOWS A 4 Cartoons. Non-stop from 12.30. WATERLOO Sin. The Beatles, HELP 1 IU) 2 20 5.40. 9.5.

Gordon Scott. Tamaa the Magnificent (n) 12.35. 4.0, 7.20. CONTINENT ALE Mus 4193. For ihe Truly Adull SEVENTEEN (X Ldn) SEX QUARTET (X) Progs.

3.45, 7.15. Ct'RZON GRO 3737 Lull Bunud's 1967 Venice Prtie Film BELLE DE IOUR (X) Progs 3.05. 5.30. 8.0. Closed Xmas Day.

Open Boxlna Day I p.m. DOMINION, Toll Cf. Rd. (Mus 2T7ri. 2709.) Julie Andrews.

Christopher Plummet in RrHljtert A Hammcrstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC (U! in Todd-AO A Col Sen. Pcrfs 4 1 to Weekdays 2.3D. 8.0. AIL bookable. EMPIRE.

Ger 1234. DOCTOR IH1VAGO IA). Today at 3.0. 7 30. Wkdyi 2.30 A 7.

to ALL SLATS BOOKABLE. Licensed Bar.