First Call, Last Call

First Call

AFTER SOLD-out London club dates in June and the release of his As Above, So Below album, word is spreading fast about the Barry Adamson Experience (right). On stage, the ex-Magazine and Bad Seeds bassist orchestrates a set which begins with a cinematic jazz ambience and builds up to a manic guitar workout. Anyone who can make a meaningful and almost seamless transition from lounge lizard to punk maniac inside an hour has to be special.

Oct 10 Leadmill, Sheffield (0114-275 4500); Oct 11 King Tut's, Glasgow (0870-601 0002); Oct 13 University, Manchester (0161-832-1111); Oct 14 Shepherds Bush Empire, London (0171-771 2000)

Last Call

A HIGHLIGHT of the Barbican's BITE: 98 season is the Ninagawa Company's production of Hamlet. In Japanese translation, with colourful choreography and costumes, it brings freshness to one of Shakespeare's most familiar plays. Yukio Ninagawa's previous production here of Macbeth won him a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director. Adapted by Kazuko Matsuoka, set design by Tsukasa Nakagoshi, costume design by Lily Komine, and lighting by Tamotsu Harada.

The Barbican, Silk Street, London EC2 (0171-638 8891) to 3 Sept, pounds 6-pounds 27