pick of the week

THE PLAY

The Hothouse

The latest contender in the welcome Pinter revival stars the author himself plus the redoubtable Celia Imrie in a production by David Jones.

Tuesday, Chichester Festival Theatre

THE FILM

The Usual Suspects

Irish and English talent fetches up in Hollywood in the shape of Gabriel Byrne and Pete Postlethwaite, Hollywood's least likely star. A tough thriller with terrific advance word-of-mouth.

Friday

THE OPERA

Il Trittico

Simon Callow, actor, biographer and theatre director (what, no novel?) returns to opera with a new production of Puccini's three-parter.

Thursday, Broomhill Opera

THE GIG

Reading Festival

Another year, another weekend in the sun, with big names like Neil Young, Bjork, Hole, Beck, Foo Fighters and many, many more.

Friday

and what's more...

Watermans Gallery and Agfa are running a photography competition, "A View into West London". There are special prizes for those aged between 11 and 30, but the competition is open to all ages and the winning photos will be shown in an exhibition in October. The brief? To take a look at urban growth and regeneration. The deadline? 8 September.

Further details: 0181-847 5651