The Daily Telegraph from London, Greater London, England • 14

a I 14 THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1992 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH FILMS Hugo Davenport on a wild reel through the life of Josef Locke; feminism in the Deep South; and A jewel set in the Emerald Isle Touching hymn to female friendship My cheer. ETER Song Let it deserves CHELSOM's echo a to rousing Hear the rafters and bring down some plaster, as indeed the film's own sublime, ridiculous climax does upon the heads of its characters. For here is a British film without so much as a flutter of Edwardian white linen, nor yet any trace of the dreggy, didacticism that too often passes for seriousness in British films set in the present. Instead we are drawn, unresisting, into an unashamed celebration of the magnificent follies of show business, evoking an era of popular entertainment that will be fondly recalled by older cinema-goers and be a pleasurable discovery to all but the pathologically trendy younger ones. It has a decent theme, an elegant structure, witty dialogue, a strong streak of romance and a giddy, unstoppable sense of joie de vivre.

First-time director Chelsom, who also co-wrote the script, has crafted the film with the kind of skill that may look "effortless" but most emphatically is not. It is consummately easy to watch but that is testimony to an accomplished talent, not to crowd-pleasing. The film does much more than just play to the gallery or trip lightly down memory lane. Loosely based on the life of the tenor Josef Locke an enduring favourite from the days of wireless and the veteran of 19 seasons at Blackpool, who decamped to his in the Fifties with the taxman hot on his heels Chelsom's debut has a nimble wit that places it in the fine old tradition of the picaresque. Its romanticism is timeless and enough to crack the defences of the most convinced curmudgeon.

American actor Beatty plays Locke, redrawn as an as an engaging rogue with his own rather Adrian Dunbar is Micky O'Neill, eccentric idea of ethics. Co writer the glib but likeable manager of Hear My Song (15, Odeons Marble Arch, Kensington, Cannons Haymarket, Chelsea, MGM Trocadero, UCI Whiteleys, 103 mins) Heartley's Theatre, who, having failed to pack 'em with the tuneless crooning of one Franc Cinatra, resolves to bring back Locke, regardless of the singer's outstanding disagreements with the Revenue and with a chief constable (David McCallum) itching to put Locke in the lock-up to avenge an undignified plunge off the Liverpool dockside years before. An impostor (William Hootkins) shows up. When the unscrupulous O'Neill cottons on, he bills the singer "Mr Is He Or Isn't The portly fake demands an inflated salary and takes advantage of Locke's old flame Cathleen (Shirley Anne Field), one-time holder of the LAST year's Thelma husband that she wants to T. Louise LAST paved year's the Thelma Hollywood way for movies packing a post-feminist punch, this year's double Oscar nominee, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, takes the trend some way further down the same road.

Do not be deterred by the indigestible title; nor, if feministically inclined, by the fact that it is directed by mere man Jon Avnet. It is funny, cleverly constructed, often rather moving, and only occasionally allows sentiment to slop over the bucket. There may, however, be some who surmise that this tale of female friendships would not have had to cover much more distance to turn a straightforward manifesto for sexual separatism. None of the women goes to bed with each other, to be sure; but all the important relationships are between women, while the male characters line up roughly in four categories: sweet-natured boys who get run over by trains; pompous authority figures ripe for deflation; nice, quiet men in subservient positions; and beastly beaters belong to the Klan. The film centres on two friendships, separated by half a century.

The first is between fat, unhappy chocowho stumbles unwitholic Evelyn (Kathy, Bates), tingly into a feminist support group while seeking to save her marriage, and the octogenarian Ninny (Jessica Tandy). Evelyn's new friend, a sprightly old thing staying in hospital to keep company with an ailing contemporary, unfolds the tale of an earlier friendship between the tom- OPERA AND BALLET COLISEUM 071 836 3161 cc 071 240 5258 cc 1st Call 071 240 7200 day) 071 379 4444. ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA Ton't 7.30 THE BARBER OF SEVILLE. Tomor 7.30 (First Night) ORFEO. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop (12, Odeon Haymarket, 130 mins) Light Sleeper (15, Curzon West End, 103 mins) Horse Thief (no cert, ICA, 98 mins) boy Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson) and delicate Southern belle Ruth -Louise Parker).

Evelyn's emancipation, signalled by her abandonment frumpy prints for powerdressing jackets, intertwines with the story of how Idgie lost a beloved elder brother during childhood, started to run wild in the woods, and later, as an adult, helped rescue Ruth from her brutish husband Frank (Nick Searcy). The earlier story develops into the mystery of Frank's disappearance, their during child an after Ruth leaves him. The two strands of the film one wry and funny, the other bitter-sweet are Both celebrate female powers effectively counterpointed. of laughter and endurance; Idgie and Ruth's its late night, swims, food fights thefts of wild honey from the bees, is eventually broken by illness, violence and trouble with a suspicious sheriff. playing Meanwhile the mouse, Evelyn loses stops weight, makes money, starts knocking down walls, serves up macrobiotic food instead of fried chicken, pays back the insolence an ill-mannered younger generation in style and announces to her ROYAL OPERA HOUSE 071 240 1911.

Standby info 836 6903.S CC 65 amphi seats avail on the day. THE ROYAL OPERA Ton't 7.00 Les Contes d'Hoffmann. Tomor 7.30 Death in Venice. SADLER'S WELLS 071-278 8916 First Call 24hrs 7 days 240. 7200 Until Sat MOMIX Eves 7.30.

TELEGRAPH COMPETITION BRAINTEASERS COMPETITION WIN A MID-WEEK SUMMER BREAK The Daily Telegraph invites you to complete The Daily Telegraph Brainteaser challenge. Each day this week a different puzzle is shown to test your mental agility You need to answer any four of the six challenges shown from Monday to Saturday for the chance to be the lucky winner of a mid-week summer break at Chewton Glen. The prize includes four nights in luxurious suite accommodation, full English breakfast, lunch and dinner including half bottle of wine per person. Situated on the fringe of the New Forest, Chewton Glen is set in 70 acres of tranquil woodland surroundings and offers guests superb comfort and the finest food. Voted best hotel by the English Tourist Board, 1991 The Health Club provides a sanctuary where both body and mind can be refreshed with a full range of sports facilities and trained therapists offering over 30 treatments.

For a brochure or further information on Chewton Glen please contact Louise Harding on 0425 275341. QUESTION 4 Complete the word square by using the following letter: N. 0,0, Y. The diagram will now contain five words which read the same vertically and horizontally, What are the words? MARCH A HOW TO ENTER Solve today's puzzle and keep the answer safe until Saturday when an address to which you should send your answers will be given. Standard Telegraph Competition Rules apply THE ARTS Miss Dairy Goodness title and mother of O'Neill's delicious young girlfriend, Nancy.

O'Neill loses his theatre, and SO sets off to Ireland to find the real Locke in the company of amiable theatrical agent Fintan O'Donnell (James Nesbitt). The story flirts with the of Irishry (a gang of aged leprechauns storms up through a trapdoor to perform a Beano-style dental extraction, using doorknob and on a suffering greybeard), but also pokes fun at them. Rather than some wistful ballad of the oul' country, O'Neill and O'Donnell, road Morris Traveller, break into a duet that sounds just like an old American standard but was actually written by the versatile Dunbar. The scene in which the to prevent a cow falling down a well. is worthy of Flann O'Brien.

To be sure, the film is "old even the best sense. It has an unimpeachable, if conventional, moral: namely, that even the most ingenious blarney cannot fool all the people all of the time particularly if they happen to be Irish and it may actually pay to tell the truth. The double- lovestory, weaving together past and present, switching between colour and black-and-white, and moving from the faded splendour of the theatre to the remote beauty of rural Ireland, is light and charming. There is a welcome reassertion of the more positive side of Britain's long relationship with Ireland. It displays a disarming faith in the power of music and the durability of dreams: John Altman's soundtrack, blending musical styles old and new into a seamlessly pleasurable mix, is outstanding.

Above all, the film is made, sends you abundant out affection, street with a spring in your step and a smile on your face. Which, in these anxious days, cannot be bad. more drugs, doom 'n' despair in New York THE BES Portly Locke-alike: William Hootkins as Mr in 'Hear My Song' give a home to Ninny. It ends in life-affirming fashion. This is certainly not in any crude sense a man-hating film.

were, it would be less likeable. True, when Evelyn confesses to a desire to bash husband on the head with a baseball bat, a nurse crisply responds that this is quite normal (which it may well be, though it is hardly an unequivocal index of progress); and Frank's fate without giving too much away might be said to put a very different slant on the dietary preferences displayed by one of last year's screen ogres. Even those who would dispute any lesbian undercurrent in Ruth and Idgie's friendship may, however, feel film stacks the odds against the possibility of an equal rapport between man and woman. What are we to make of the chivalric devotion to Ruth by a gentleman hobo called Smokey Lonesome and by silent, dependable, blackskinned Big George? Or of the Freudian significance of young males, presumably uncorrupted by sexism, crushed to death and losing limbs beneath the unstoppable thrust of a train? As a mere man, shudder to think. Writer Paul Schrader's Light Sleeper sets itself up as a continuation of themes explored earlier in his career, starting with his script for Taxi Driver and continuing through American Gigolo.

The anti-hero of his latest, played by Willem Dafoe, is John LeTour, a drug-dealer pushing 40, who realises that game is up and tries to work out what he will do with the rest of his life. CONCERTS BARBICAN HALL 071 638 8891. Ton't 7.45 LSO Sir Colin Davis cond in Bruckner and Beethoven. THEATRES ADELPHI 071 836 7611 (5 Lines) CC 071 379 4444 793 1000 First Call 24hr cc 497 9977 (no bkg fee) Group Sales 930 6123. "HAPPIEST SHOW IN TOWN' S.Exp LES LOUISE DENNIS ENGLISH ALFRED MARKS ME AND MY GIRL THE LAMBETH WALK MUSICAL Directed by Mike Ockrent Nightly at 7.30 Mats Wed at 2.30 Sat 4.30 8.00.

NOW BOOKING TO 25 JULY. ALBERY 071 867 1115 cc 867 4444 9977 no bkg fee. Gps 930 I 6123 SANDI McSHANE TOKSVIG THE POCKET DREAM Tues Sat 7.45, Sat SUN 3 MATINEES EVERY SUNDAY 3pm "Very funny" LBC ALDWYCH 071 836 6404 cc. 071 497 9977 bkg fee) Grps 071 240 7941 LONDON'S HOT NEW HIT! "A sizzling, buoyant, swanky show!" Sunday Times THE COTTON CLUB "Lavishly produced" Today tap dancing!" F.Times Eves 7.30, Mat Wed 2.30, Sat 4.00 8.00 NOW BOOKING UNTIL 5 SEPT. AMBASSADORS 071 836 cc 379 4444 (No bkg fee) Mon-Thur 8.30pm Fri 7 9.30 Sat 5.30 8.30 THUNDERBIRDS F.A.B.

NOW BOOKING THROUGH EASTER. APOLLO 071 494 5070. cc 379 4444 (no bkg 2428 (bkg fee). Group Sales 930 6123. Eves 8pm, Wed Mat 3pm, Sat 5pm 8.30.

SIMON JOHN WARD QUAYLE PATRICIA BRAKE ELIZABETH ERIKA BELL HOFFMAN in London's biggest laughter hit. DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER "BREATHTAKING near faultless piece of theatrical invention" Guardian "A SAUCY COMEDY" E.Standard. APOLLO VICTORIA SS 071 828 8665 CC 630 6262 Groups 6188 cc 24hr 379 497 9977 071 793 1000 Groups 930 6123. SEEN BY OVER 4 MILLION PEOPLE IN OVER 3,000 PERFORMANCES STARLIGHT EXPRESS Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER Lyrics by RICHARD STILGOE Directed by TREVOR NUNN OAPs £5 on Tues Mats Seats available for Mar perfs now. Eves 7.45 Mats Tue Sat 3.00.

ARTS 071 836 2132 cc 413 497 9977 (24hr No bkg fee). THE COMPLETE WORKS of WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Abridged-All 37 plays in 2hrs Mon-Fri 8 Sat 5.45 8.30 FROM 20 MARCH. CAMBRIDGE THEATRE 071. 379 5299 CC 071 379 4444 (24hr no bkg fee) 071 497 9977 fee) Grps 071 240 7941. "Go in and The Times "Belongs to a great English tradition" Opera Now What's On.

1990'S OLIVIER AWARD WINNER BEST MUSICAL RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET Tue-Thu 8 Fri Sat OR 8.30 Sun 5 3rd YEAR ORBIT. COMEDY BO CC 071 867 CC 071 379 4444 (no bkg fee) 497 1000 (with bkg fee). ALAN ROUTLEDGE BENNETT TALKING HEADS Written Directed by ALAN BENNETT "One of the funniest and most moving evenings in the London Theatre" D.Tel Eves 8pm, Mats Wed 3pm, Sat 4pm. Latecomers admitted until 1st interval LAST 3 WEEKS. MAR 28.

Shades of sexual separatism: Ruth (Mary-Louise Parker) and Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson) in 'Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop To the repetitive strains of black rubbish bags in a none- andon), vulnerable former precursor of redemption or and censored in parts by the an apocalyptic theme song too-subtle visual hint as to the girlfriend Marianne (Dana redemptive in itself; this film Chinese authorities, the film it feels. like the direction of our throwaway Delany), a former addict des- falls into the latter group. tells of the sacrifice made to world's on the film paints a moody and atmospheric portrait of New York as a city economically and culturally exhausted, steeped in mystical and millenarian thinking, and littered with ENTERTAINMENTS COMEDY 071 867 CC bkg fee) 071 379 4444 071-479 9997 (bkg fee) Gps 930 6123 FRANCES de la TOUR BERWICK KALER THE POPE AND THE WITCH DARIO FO'S absurdly funny farce. Adapted by ANDY de la TOUR. Red.

price prevs from 4 Apr. Opens 13 April. DOMINION THEATRE 071-580 Credit cards 071-413 1411 Opening Tue 16th June 7pm Preview from Saturday 6th June Evgs 7.30, Mat Thur Sat 2.30 THE SMASH HIT AMERICAN MUSICAL GRAND HOTEL DIRECT FROM BROADWAY, AND INTERNATIONAL TOUR WITH FULL U.S.A. COMPANY GRAND HOTEL WINNER OF 5 TONY AWARDS Directed by TOMMY LIMITED 10 WEEK SEASON ONLY Big Discounts For Groups Tel: 071-636 0875 071 831 2771 BOOK NOW INTO GRAND HOTEL. DRURY LANE THEATRE ROYAL cC (bkg fee) 24hr 7 days 071 494 1000.

Grps 071 494 5454. MISS SAIGON "MUSICALS COME AND GO THIS ONE WILL STAY" S. Times. Eves 7.45 Mats Wed Sat at 3pm. GOOD SEATS AVAIL FOR WED MAT SOME PERFS APPLY BOX OFFICE NOW BOOKING UNTIL 26 SEPT.

BOOKINGS PERSONAL CALLERS (071 494 5060) (bkg fee). DUCHESS bkg fee) 071 494 4444 (with bkg fee 497 9977) Groups 930 6123 "EASILY THE FUNNIEST PLAY IN WEST END" D.Express AN EVENING WITH GARY LINEKER by Arthur Smith Chris England "BRILLIANTLY WITTY" D. Mirror "LETHALLY FUNNY" S. Times 'A STRIKING SUCCESS" Gdn Mon-Thur 8pm, Fri Sat 6pm 8.45pm. NOW BOOKING UNTIL SEPT.

DUKE OF YORK'S Box Off 071-836 5122 cc 071-836 9837 bkg fee: 071-497 9977 071-379 4444 The Royal Court Theatre Production DEATH AND THE MAIDEN by Ariel Dorfman Now Booking to 8 Aug superb cast" D. Tel Eves 8. Thurs Mat 3, Sat Mat 4. FORTUNE BO CC 071 836 2238. CC 071 497 9977 fee) 071 793 1000 (bkg fee).

Susan Hill's THE WOMAN IN BLACK Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt 'A BRILLIANTLY SPINE CHILLER" "A REAL THRILL" S. Times. "Take tranquillisers" Time Out. Mon-Sat 8pm, Mats Tue 3pm, Sat 4pm. NOW BOOKING TO SEPT 5.

No perfs April 20 May 4, 25. GARRICK BO CC 071 494 5085 (bkg fee) 1000. BEST PLAY ALL 4 MAJOR AWARDS 1991 DANCING AT LUGHNASA "Poignant, hilarious spell-binding" S. Times. "UNMISSABLE" Ind.

"Fast-moving and hilarious" Gdn. Mon-Sat 8.00, Mats Thur 3.00, Sat 4.00. GLOBE BO CC bkg fee) 071 494 4444. Also 497 9977 (bkg fee). Grps 930 6123.

DUKE ELLINGTON'S SOPHISTICATED LADIES "IRRESISTIBLE" D. Telegraph "HIGH OCTANE ZEST' D. Mail Mon-Fri 8 Sat 5 8.30, Wed mat 3pm. No perf Mon 16 Mar. LAST 3 WEEKS! HAYMARKET THEATRE ROYAL 071 930 8800 (no bkg fee) cc 071 497 379 793 1000 (bkg fee) PAUL VANESSA SCOFIELD REDGRAVE FELICITY DANIEL KENDAL MASSEY HEARTBREAK HOUSE by Bernard Shaw Dir by TREVOR NUNN Eves 7.30 Mats Wed Sat 2.30 PREVIEWS FROM TONIGHT OPENS MARCH 19 at 7pm.

world. Unfortunately this brooding atmosphere is not matched by the plot, which turns on LeTour's relationships with tough, glamorous fellow-dealer (Susan Sar- ENTS HER MAJESTY'S 24hr 494 5400 (bkg fee) CC 379 9977 (bkg fee) Group Sales 930 6123. ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER'S AWARD WINNING MUSICAL THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Directed by HAROLD PRINCE Eves 7.45. Mats Wed Sat 3 SOLD OUT UNTIL SEPT 26. New booking period opening shortly.

Apply to Box Office daily for returns. LONDON PALLADIUM 24hr BO cc £1 per Tkt Svce 5454. chg 071 494 fee) 4444. Grps 071 494 (24hr bkg 1000. "Andrew Lloyd Webber's exuberant new production" Std of "Tim Rice Andrew Lloyd Webber's Palladium Blockbuster" Gdn JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Starring JASON DONOVAN Dir by STEVEN PIMLOTT AN Eves 7.30, Mats Wed Sat 2.30.

NOW BOOKING TO OCT 1992. LYRIC HAMMERSMITH 081 741 2311 (cc bkg fee 071 836 3464). In association with the Really Useful Theatre Company the British Premiere LA BETE. A new American David Hirson. "WHOLLY SURPRISING DELICIOUS" Observer.

Eves 7.45, Wed mat 2.30, Sat mat 4.00. FINAL WEEK! Must end Sat. STUDIO: THEATRE MANOEUVRES Present CABAL AND LOVE by Friedrich Schiller. Directed by Patrick Wilde. Ton't at 7.00 then eves 8.00, Sat mats 4.30.

LYRIC, Shafts cc 071 494 5045 cc 379 tel lines days (bkg fee) cc 497 9977 Grps 071 930 6123. THE JOINT NEVER STOPS JUMPIN FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE THE OLIVIER AWARD WINNING MUSICAL Mon-Thu 8.00 Fri Sat at 6.0 8.45 NOW BOOKING TO 25 APRIL. APPLY DAILY for RETURNS AND CANCELLATIONS NATIONAL THEATRE BO 071 928. 2252: Grps 071 620 0741; 24hr cc bkg fee 071 497 9977. OLIVIER Ton't 7.00 (PRESS NIGHT), Tomor 7.15 THE RECRUITING OFFICER by Farquhar.

LYTTLETON Today 2.15 7.30 THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III by Bennett. Tomor 7.30 THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA by Tennessee Williams. COTTESLOE Ton't Tomor 7.30 UNCLE VANYA by Chekhov in a version by Pam Gems. NEW LONDON Drury Lane BO 071 405 0072 CC 071 404 4079 24hr 379 4444 Grps 930 6123 Tkts from Pickfords Travel. THE ANDREW LLOYD T.S.

ELIOT INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL CATS Eves 7.45 Tue Sat 3.00. LATECOMERS NOT ADMITTED WHILE AUDITORIUM IS IN MOTION. PLEASE PROMPT. Bars open LIMITED DAILY NUMBER FROM BOX OF STATICEVAIL OLD VIC 071 928 7616 or cc 071 379 4444 (no bkg fee) 071-793 497 9977 (with bkg fee). Eves 7.45, Wed Sat mats 3pm.

PHONES OPEN days. OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II's CARMEN JONES Music by Bizet. Directed by Simon Callow. WINNER BEST MUSICAL Standard Awards 1991. NOW BOOKING TO 25 JULY.

1000 Group Sales 071 930 6123 Grps 071 494 1671. THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR MUSICAL LES MISERABLES Eves 7.30 Mats Thu Sat 2.30 Latecomers not la admitted until the interval NOW BOOKING THRU SEPT. LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS AVAIL DAILY FROM BOX OFFICE. PALACE THEATRE 071 434 0909 cc 24hrs (bkg fee) 071 379 perate to stay off drugs, and cocaine fiend Swiss investment banker Tis (Victor Garber). American film- makers have a weakness for presenting a shoot-out as either the PHOENIX BO cc 867 1044 cc 867 1111 1000 (fee) 497 9977 BEST MUSICAL Awards.

Plays and Novello Awards WILLY RUSSELL'S BLOOD BROTHERS Starring STEPHANIE LAWRENCE: and CARL WAYNE. "ASTONISHING" S. Express. the audience to its feet, and roaring its approval" D. Mail.

Eves 7.45, Mats Thur 3.00, Sat 4.00. PICCADILLY BO 071 867 867 379 497 9977 (All bkg fee). Grps 071 930 6123. MOBY DICK A WHALE OF A TALE The New Musical Comedy NOW PREVIEWING. OPENS MARCH 17: AT 7.00: Mon-Sat 8.00 Mats Tue Sat 4.00 (Tue mats from 24 March.) PLAYHOUSE Box off cc 071 839 4401 cc 071-497 9977 (No bkg fee) cc 071- 379 4444 From Wed 18 March THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL GOOD ROCKIN' TONITE! The best rock'n'roll show in Town Evgs Mon 8.00, Fri Sat 5.30 8.30 MI GROUP PLAYHOUSE.

PRINCE EDWARD 071-734 8951 cc 24hrs 7 days 071-836 3464 (no bkg fee). 071-379 4444 (no bkg fee) Groups 071-930 6123. TOMMY STEELE in the 'Sizzling' New Musical SOME LIKE IT HOT Now Previewing. Opens 19 March Eves 7.45, Mats Thurs Sat 3pm (19 Mar 7pm). No Mats 12, 19 March PRINCE OF WALES BO 071 839 5972 CC 24HR 7 DAY 836 3464 24HR 379 793 1000 Groups 930 6123.

SUSANNAH MICHAEL FELLOWS PRAED ASPECTS OF LOVE "ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER'S BEST" D. Tel. Lyrics by DON BLACK CHARLES HART Directed by TREVOR NUNN. Sarah Brightman returns to the role of Rose May 26 to July 18. During this period Clare Burt sings Rose Mon eves Wed mats.

Eves 7.45 Mats Wed Sat 3.00 Seats available for Mar perfs now. QUEENS 071 494 4444 (all 24 bkg fee) Grps 071 930 6123. FROM THE CREATORS OF IPI TOMBI COMES THE NEW AFRICAN SONG DANCE SENSATION! SIKULU Performances begin 7 April. ROYAL- SHAKESPEARE COMPANY LONDON (0789 295623 cc Mon Sat 9am 8pm) BARBICAN THEATRE HENRY IV, PART 1 Previews from 26 March. THE PIT: THE VIRTUOSO Previews from 26 March.

STRATFORD UPON. 9am 6pm (0789 295623 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Previews from 26 March. SWAN THEATRE: THE BEGGAR'S OPERA Previews from 26 March. package 0789 414999. Also see The Young Vic.

SHAFTESBURY BO CC. 071 379 5399 (no bkg days) 071 413 9977 Groups 071 930 6123 The ORIGINAL PHANTOM Musical PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Written directed by Ken Hill "FULL OF FUN" Financial Times Mon-Fri 7.30, Sat 5 8.30 Thur mat 3. SEASON ENDS 11 APRIL ST. MARTINS 071 836 1443. Special CC 4444 Eves 8 Tues 2.45 Sat 5 8.

40TH YEAR OF AGATHA CHRISTIE'S THE MOUSETRAP STRAND THEATRE Box off cc 071 240 0300 cc 071-379 4444 (No bkg fee) 071-497 9977 (Bkg fee) Grps 071-930 6123 THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL GOOD ROCKIN' TONITE! 'A GREAT MUSICAL' Gdn. best rock'n'roll show in London' Exp 'ASTONISHING' Times 'A HIT, A PALPABLE HIT' Eve Std. Evgs Mon Thur 8, Fri Sat 5.30 8.30. FINAL WEEK. Transfers to Playhouse March 18 071-839 4401 cc 071-497 9977 (no bkg fee) Anyone interested in the fate of contemporary Tibet, or in the ancient and fascinating rituals of this ture, would be well advised to see Tian Zhuang Zhuang's Horse Thief.

Chinese-made, VAUDEVILLE BO cc 071 497 9977 Mon-Fri at 8 Sat at 5.30 8.30 Wed Mats at 2.30. A SWELL PARTY A celebration of COLE PORTER. CONTAINS MORE GREAT SONGS THAN ALL THE OTHER MUSICALS IN THE WEST END PUT TOGETHER: Daily Telegraph LAST 3 WEEKS. ENDS 28 MARCH. VAUDEVILLE SS B.O.

CC 0 071 836 4444 (bkg fee) ALBERT FINNEY STEPHEN MOORE NICKY HENSON REFLECTED GLORY A new. play by RONALD HARWOOD Dir by ELIJAH MOSHINSKY PREVIEWS FROM APRIL 2 OPENS APRIL 8 VICTORIA PALACE Box Off CC (No bkg fee) 071 834 1317 CC (bkg fee) 071 379 7200 Groups 071 930 6123. BUDDY The Buddy Holly Story "BRILLIANT" Sun. BUDDY "WONDERFUL STUFF" Sun. Tel.

BUDDY Mon-Thurs 8.00 Fri 5.30 8.30, Sat 5.00 8.30 ALL SEATS PRICE FRI 5.30 30 PERF. 3rd SENSATIONAL YEAR OVER 1000 PERFORMANCES NOW BOOKING TO JUNE 27 1992. WHITEHALL BO 071 867 1119 cc (no bkg fee) 071 867 1111 379 4444 497 9977 Grps 930 6123. OVER 250 PERFORMANCES A TRIBUTE TO THE BLUES BROTHERS "YOU'RE IN FOR ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS OF YOUR People. Mon-Thu 8.15, Fri Sat 6.15 9.00.

WYNDHAMS 071 867 1116 (no bkg fee). CC 071 867 379 071 497 9977 (24hrs). NICHOLAS LYNDHURST CARMEL McSHARRY STRAIGHT AND NARROW The new comedy by JIMMIE CHINN Directed by ALLAN DAVIS NOW PREVIEWING OPENS MAR 18 at 7pm Mon Sat 8pm Mats Wed 3pm Sat 5pm Indep. Mon-Sat 7.15, Mat 2.00. Rd.

Henley Oxon Tel 0491 576228. Telegraph Classified Private Advertisers and those who wish to place Personal, Birth, Marriage or Death announcements can call our Reader Services Group number: 071-538 6000 Trade advertisers can place advertisments on the following numbers: Recruitment 071-538 6001 Property 6002 Fine Arts and Auctions 071-538 6003 Gardening and Weekend Opportunities 071-538 6003 Travel 071-538 6004 Motors 071-538 6005 Business to Business 071-538 6006 Educational 071-538 6007 Telegraph Magazine 071-538 6008 Facsimile 071-987 8787 YOUNG VIC. 071 620 0411. 071 379 4444 (24 hrs). Royal Shakespeare Company in MEASURE FOR MEASURE 'Trevor Nunn's magnificent new production" save wife and child by a tribal horse-thief when he becomes an outcast in his own culture.

The director brings a tisan eye to the subject; Pats film is part of a much larger Tibetan season. CINEMAS CHELSEA CINEMA 206 Kings Road SW3 071-351 3742. RAISE THE RED LANTERN (PG) Progs 1.00 3.30 6.00 8.35. CURZON MAYFAIR Curzon St. 071 465 8865.

THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE (15). 'This is uncompromising, high-voltage cinema" The Times. Progs at 1.45 (not Sun) 4.00 6.15 CURZON PHOENIX Phoenix St, off Charing Cross Road 071 9661. CROSS MY HEART (PG), "Funny and Barry Norman. Film '92.

Progs at 1.45 (not Sun) 3.55 6.05 8.20. CURZON WEST END Shaftesbury Ave W1 071 439 4805 Denzel Washington in MISSISSIPPI MASALA (15) Progs at 1.15 (not Sun) 3.40, 6.05 8.30. Last Week. From Fri LIGHT SLEEPER (15). LUMIERE St Martins Lane WC2 071-379 0691.

BARTON FINK (15). Progs. 1.15 3.40 6.10 8.40 Late 11.15pm. ODEON HAYMARKET Bookings (071) 839 7697. 24hr information 0426 915353 (local call).

Cinema closed owing to Premiere. ODEON LEICESTER SQUARE Bookings (071) 930 3232. All progs bookable in advance. 24hr information 0426 915683 (local. call).

THE PRINCE OF TIDES (15) Programmes 2.00 5.25 8.35. ODEON MARBLE ARCH bookings. 071 723 2011. All progs bookable in advance. 24hr info service 0426 914501 (local call).

FATHER OF THE BRIDE (PG) Programmes 3.15 6.00 8.45. ODEON WEST END (Leicester Square) Bookings (071) 930 7615. 24hr information 0426 915574 (local call) ONCE UPON A CRIME (PG) Programmes 1.40 3.55 6.15 8.35 FATHER OF THE BRIDE (PG) Programmes 12.40 3.15 6.00 8.45. ART GALLERIES E. D.JONES, J.NASH, S.PALMER.

G.SUTHERLAND. "DREAMERS OF until 7th April at Bohun Gallery, 15 Reading.