First Call, Last Call

First Call

TWYLA THARP'S choreography is every bit as off-beat as her name. This month, her first full-length classical ballet, Mr Worldly Wise, commissioned by the Royal Ballet in 1995, are back in repertory. In this surreal allegory about seduction and the consequences of sin, Irek Mukhamedov and Tetsuya Kumakawa return to the roles that were created for them, and Deborah Bull makes her debut as the principal female lead. It's all set to a selection of music by Rossini.

Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Ave, London EC1 (0171-863 8000) 23-24 Oct & 6-7 Nov

Last Call

THE DAMIEN Hirst of classical music, violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy (right), is soon to perform at a sweat-box rock venue. Therein lies the acid test: if the usual visitors to The Mean Fiddler have heard of Nige, then his challenge to classical music's upper-crust image will have been a success. But let's not get too distracted by his estuary English and West Ham scarf, as Kennedy not only reaches new audiences, but plays with enough passion and skill to impress traditionalists, too.

The Mean Fiddler, 28a High Street, Harlesden, London NW10 (0171-344 0044) 20 Oct, pounds 12.50