First Call, Last Call

First Call

TO ACCOMPANY the release of their second album Performance and Cocktails, the Stereophonics (right) are kicking off the spring with a UK tour. Preceding this is the single "Just Looking", which should storm the charts, judging by November's hit, "The Bartender and the Thief". Having won three music awards in 1998, the band's popularity is set to snowball; many venues have already sold out, but the three listed below still have tickets available.

Margate Winter Gardens (01843 292795) 26 Apr; Guild Hall, Plymouth Pavilions (01752 229922) 28 Apr; Brixton Academy, London SW9 (0171-924 9999) 1-2 May

Last Call

REWORKING HOFFMAN'S junk-opera Struwwelpeter, British directors Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch have returned to the capital following a successful European tour, a Broadway transfer and negotiations for the film rights. Cultural Industry's production, led by the Tiger Lillies, revels in its gloriously warped vision of the future, and shouldn't be missed by those willing to enjoy such defiance of reason and sanity.

Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London W6 (0181-741 2311) to 10 Apr