Opening this week
■ The Events
It topped our critics' poll as the best production of last year: a big, knotty and compassionate investigation into forgiveness and its limits set in the wake of an atrocity that wipes out a community choir in a small seaside town. Ramin Gray's production of David Greig's script is a beauty. Brighton Dome Corn Exchange (01273 709709), Wednesday and Thursday, then touring.
■ Mad Man
Lucy Ellinson was terrific in Grounded and now she stars in this radical new version of Gogol's Diary of a Mad Man by Chris Goode. The combination should be unbeatable. Drum, Plymouth (01752 267222), Thursday to 5 April.
■ Mirosław Bałka
A double show of sculpture and video: expect trauma, history, mordant wit and general bad stuff from the Pole who put a giant shipping container in the Tate Modern Turbine Hall in 2009. Freud Museum, London, from Wednesday; White Cube Mason's Yard, London, from Friday.
Last chance to see
■ The Girl of the Golden West
Aletta Collins's straightforward and thoughtful production for Opera North of Puccini's spaghetti western, superbly conducted by Richard Farnes, with Alwyn Mellor, Robert Hayward and Rafael Rojas heading the strong cast. Theatre Royal, Nottingham (0115-989 5555), Wednesday, Friday.
Book now
■ A Small Family Business
Entrepreneurial greed and personal integrity are explored in major revival of Alan Ayckbourn's comedy, first seen in the late 1980s but perfect for our greedy times. Olivier, London (020-7452 3000), from 1 April.
■ Royal Ballet: The Winter's Tale
Shakespeare's late play has rarely been choreographed, but Christopher Wheeldon argues a good case for its story of lost love making an ideal vehicle for dance. Royal Opera House, London (020-7304 4000) 10 April to 8 May.
■ Major Minimalists
Dennis Russell Davies and the Basel Symphony Orchestra tour three programmes devoted to different brands of minimalism today, with works by Philip Glass, Michael Nyman and Arvo Pärt, including a couple of UK premieres. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (024 7652 4524), 23 April; Cadogan Hall, London (020-7730 4500), 24, 28 and 30 April; and other UK venues.
