Scotsman critics' choice: Four must-see shows on this week

THE Scotsman's arts critics round up their must-see films, theatre and concerts for the next week.

ART: Tom Shanks

Tom Shanks is master of the shifting light and weather of the Scottish landscape, all rendered in pen, ink and watercolour. He graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1950 and his work has been a feature of the major Scottish exhibitions ever since. Now 95, he continues to work as hard as ever. Compass Gallery have long supported him and are now showing a body of new work that is as fresh it has always been and includes locations on both the East and West Coasts of Scotland. Duncan Macmillan

Compass Gallery, Glasgow, until 14 May, 0141-221 6370

CLASSICAL: Scottish Opera: The Mikado

Scottish Opera turns to Gilbert & Sullivan again this week with the opening of a new production of The Mikado. Director Martin Lloyd-Evans returns from his previous Scottish Opera triumph with The Pirates of Penzance. Richard Suart, Nicholas Sharrat and Rebecca Bottone lead a reliable cast, under the baton of Derek Clark. Ken Walton

Theatre Royal, Glasgow, 5 and 7 May; then on tour to Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, www.scottishopera.org.uk

POP: Stag & Dagger

Much as we are tempted to recommend David Duchovny’s date in Glasgow on 5 May, the X Files star is a bit of a musical unknown quantity, whereas Stag & Dagger, the multi-venue one-day gig crawl, is more of a sure bet. This year, the likes of indie veterans We Are Scientists and The Duke Spirits and local heroes Gun, Emma Pollock (below) and We Were Promised Jetpacks converge across six venues in the Sauchiehall Street area with one wristband (theoretically) allowing entry to each venue. Arrive early to be sure of catching the most popular names, or take a chance on a batch of acts lower on the bill. Fiona Shepherd

Various venues, Glasgow, tomorrow www.staganddagger.co.uk

THEATRE: This Restless House

An exhilarating theatrical event and a contemporary take on an epic Greek tragedy – after the Lyceum’s Iliad, that’s what the Citizens’ Theatre promises, as it launches Zinnie Harris’s huge new version of the Oresteia, Aeschylus’s epic tale of a royal family trapped in a bloody cycle of vengeance and counter-vengeance. Dominic Hill directs a tremendous cast, led by George Anton, Adam Best, Cliff Burnett, Keith Fleming and Pauline Knowles, all famed for superb recent performances around Scottish theatre. With music by Nikola Kodjabashia, who created the unforgettable soundscape for the Citizens’ Crime And Punishment, this show could bring one of the year’s most exciting theatre moments. Joyce McMillan

Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow, until 14 May, 0141-429 0022