... A NEW jazz venue is to open in Cardiff. Jazz At Jakes, in Mill Lane, opens on December 16 with a performance by the Ron nie Scott Quartet. Future bookings include Digby Fairweather and Spike Robinson. THE VCINNIiRS OF the 1993 IJoyds Bank Young Composer of the Year will be announced at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on Sunday, I)e-cember 12. The event will also stage the premieres of ...

... Snaps PERFORMERS Alvin Stardust and Bill Oddie are to take to the stage and raise money for abu sed and neglected chil dren. They will appear in a unique production of How To Succeed In Busi ness Without Really Try ing at London's Shaw Theatre in January. The production, which is being held in aid of the NSPCC, is the brainchild of Saatchi and Saatchi executive Natalie Krag. PKGASUS, the ...

... Tour News GARY GLITTER starts his annual Christmas season tour at the Point, Dublin on December 4, following with Cardiff (International Arena), Exeter (Westpoint), Bou rnemouth, Birmingham (National Exhibition Ce ntre, two nights), Man chester (G-Mex), Brigh ton (Brighton Centre), Wembley Arena (two nights), Whitley Bay, Sheffield (Arena), Aber deen (Exhibition Centre) and Glasgow (Scottish ...

... Snaps NATIONAL Heritage Secretary Peter Brooke has launched a scheme offering the public easier access to the arts. The Access Intiative, a work ing group set up by the DNH, seeks to develop ways of encouraging mo re people to take part in the arts, and helping those who already do to get more out of the expe rience. FRENCH born conductor Antonio de Almeida has been named as the new music ...

... THURS, DEC 2 A PREVIOUS EVENING, choreography by Amanda Miller, music by Fred Frith. Sadler's Wells to December 4. Management: London Contemporary Dance Theatre. Company: Kate Coyne, Tracey Fitzgerald, Bernadette Iglich, Andrew Robinson, Isabel Tamen, Kenneth Tharp, Christopher Tudor, Ben Wright. Press: Kieron Kawall, 071 497 9434. THINGS CURIOUS by Louise Warren, puppetry by Sue Buckmaster. ...

... UNIVERSITY College Salford's centre for media, performance and communications has awarded honorary doc tors of letters to David Glencross, chief execu tive of the Independent Television Commission, television and radio broadcaster Brian Red head and film director Ken Russell. LINK, Midlands-based ITV contractor Central Television's regional programme made by and for disabled people, is to be ...

... THURS, DEC 2 HOLLYWOOD WOMEN Carlton four-part entertainment documentary for ITV network (9.00 10.00 pm) Production company: September Films. FRI, DEC 3 ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL London Weekend three-pan drama series for ITV network (9.00 10.00 pm) Production company: Carnival Films. Cast includes: Hugh Laurie, Jessica Turner, Pippa Guard, Bob Monk- house, Steve Steen. Writer: Guy Andrews. PEN ...

... THE NATIONAL TOP THIRTIES For week ending November 14 CHANNEL Average weekly viewing Share of Total Per Head (Hours/Minutes) viewing ALUANYTV 27:24 100.0 BBC1 (INCLUDING BREAKFAST TIME) 9:19 34.0 BBC2 2:21 8.6 TOTAUANYBBC 11:39 42.5 ITV (INCLUDING TV-AM) 11:11 40 8 CHANNEL 4/S4C 2:48 10.2 TOTAL/ANY ITV 13:59 510 OTHERS 1:46 6 4 Individuals viewing BBC1 (Millions) ITV 1 EASTENDERS (THU/SUN) 20 ...

... THE ROYAL Shakespeare Company is presenting the London premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Wildest Dreams, first seen at Scarborough in 1991, at the Pit on December 14. The author directs a cast including Brenda Blethyn. THE REVIVAL of Pam Gems' Piaf, directed by Peter Hall and with Elaine Paige in the title role, opens at the Piccadilly on December 13. Presented by Bill Kenwright, it also has Wendy ...

... OUT OF TOWN ABERDEEN His Majesty's Jack And The Beanstalk Lemon Tree The Magic Finger ABERYSTWYTH Theatr Y Werin Setthenyn A'r Twrw Tanllyd Tanddwr BAGNOR Watermill The Ugly Duckling BASINGSTOKE Haymarket Way Upstream BATH Theatra Royal An Absolute Turkey BELFAST Civic Little Red Riding Hood; Barnback, Gene Fitzpatrick Lyric The Wind In The Willows BILLINGHAM Forum The Sleeping Beauty ...

... AN ANGRY fan of singing star Elaine Paige has accused the Piccadilly Theatre of missing out on sales for the performer's new show by fail- ing to keep its box office open at weekends. Hertfordshire woman Doreen Norman has made three expedi tions to the venue in order to buy scats for the production, Piaf. But each time she has turned up on Saturday the box office has boon closed and she has ...

... Snaps ENVIROMENT secre tary John Gummer has pledged government support towards the development of a London Thames Festival in 1994. Supported by the the London Arts Board and the London Council for Sport and Recreation, it is due to take place in September 1995 for ten days. BERKLEE College of Music is sending representitives to London on December 14 and 15. American based Berklee is the ...