THEATRE Love Is The Drug. City Hall Theatre, Central. Friday to Sunday, 8 pm, also at 3 pm on Saturday. $150, $100, $70. Urbtix. In English.
Italian commedia dell' arte meets English satire in this colourful production from the Oxford Stage Company, directed by Italian actor Antonio Fava. The play is set in Bologna where a well-to-do gentleman, Pantalone, wants to marry off his daughter Flaminia to a noble youth called Oratio. However, in a change of plan he betroths his daughter to a complete stranger and she conspires with Oratio (whom, incidentally, she loves) to take a sleeping potion. If everything goes smoothly, Oratio will rescue her from the tomb. By using masks to embellish the conspiracy, Fava weaves a comic nightmare.
CLASSICAL MUSIC Zhang Qian. City Hall Theatre, Central. Wednesday, 8 pm. $80, $60. Urbtix on 2734-9009.
Mezzo-soprano Zhang Qian studied at the Music College in Guangdong, later progressing to the Shanghai Music Conservatory. She has performed with the Hong Kong Philharmonic and has also won several international awards, including the 'Outstanding Award' at the 15th Rio de Janeiro International Concert. For this event she will perform pieces by Purcell, Gluck, Schubert, Bizet, Fare and Massenet.
Yao Yuen Chinese Music Association. City Hall Concert Hall. Saturday, 8 pm. $70, $60, $40. Urbtix.
Ma Shenglong from Shanghai conducts this evening of Chinese classical music which features the konghou (a traditional instrument similar to a harp). Solo pieces - Rippling Brook and Moonlight Over Spring Water - will be played by Ma Xiaolan, one of China's most impressive young performers. Other works include Yang Guan Song, Love For The Yellow Plum and Caprice On The Theme Of Liu Sanjie.
DANCE Typhoon Tango. Portico, Citibank Plaza. Wednesday, 7.30 pm. $350 (including dinner). Bar also open for drinks.