The Spectator's Arts Round-up
Theatre
Opening in London: Awake and Sing, a revival of the Clifford Odets play opens the new season at Hampstead Theatre Club, September 27; Romance, a new musical pay starring Bill Simpson, Joyce Blair, Jess Conrad and Roberta D'Este, at the Duke of York's, September 28; Lear, a new play by Edward Bond based on a work by William Shakespeare,with Harry Andrews in the name part, at the Royal 'Court, September 29; Suddenly at Home, a thriller by Francis Durbridge, with cast headed by Gerald Harper, at the Fortune, September 30; and a latenight show, Women's Libby, featuring, of course, Libby Morris, at Hampstead Theatre Club, October 1.
Out of Town: Richard III, a new production directed by Peter McEnery, with Leonard Rossiter in the title role, and with John McEnery, Thelma Whiteley, Heather Chasen and others at the Nottingham Playhouse, September 22.
Cinema
Worth seeing in London: Taking Off, Czech director Miles Forman's first American film has stylish fun with contemporary adolescents and parents (Odeon, St Martin's Lane); Death in Venice, Luchino Visconti's screen treatment of the Thomas Mann story starring Dirk Bogarde could be a masterpiece (Times, Baker Street); Dearest Love, Louis Malle's sensitive handling of the boy-growingup theme makes even incest seem acceptable (Curzon); Carnal Knowledge, Mike Nichols's film about sex in the lives of two college room-mates over a twentyyear period is somewhat overblown but you'll have to see it to keep up with all the after-dinner conversations about it (Leicester Square Theatre).
Dance
Paco Peria's Flamenco Puro in traditional flamenco dances in various styles, for one week at Sadler's Wells Theatre, September 27—October 2. Ballet Rambert continue their season at the Jeannetta Cochrane Theatre; programmes : Four According, Premier 1, Wings (September 27-29); Embrace Tiger and Return to Mountain, George Frideric, The Act, That is the Show (September 30-October 2).
Television
A. Midsummer Night's Dream, set in the grounds of Scotney Castle, Kent, with Eileen Atkins, Robert Stephens, Lynn Redgrave and Ronnie Barker, is the 'Play of the Month' on BBC1, September 26. The Lost Weekend, the film about an alcoholic that won four 'Oscars' in 1945 (yes, it really was that long ago), BBC 2, September 28. The Great Debate on the Common Market, with Robin Day in the chair, and Christopher Chataway, Harold Lever and David Steel (in favour) opposing Barbara Castle, Edward Taylor and Peter Shore (against), BBC 1, October 1.
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