The Unmissable List...chosen by BOY GEORGE

CD

HEATHEN by David Bowie

The CD on the top of my listening pile is the new David Bowie album, Heathen.

It's a real return to form - like early Bowie.

Working with producer Tony Visconti was a great idea, because he knows how to create space without making things sound barren.

There's a really nice number about being on a boat, called Everyone Say Hi. And that cheers me up in the mornings, because I'm in a bit of a horrible mood at the moment.

Released 10 June on ISO/Columbia

EXHIBITION

DAVE FALCONER I want to see Dave Falconer's new exhibition because anyone who can sell a pile of rats to Charles Saatchi is quite clever. I certainly don't think there are any rules on w hat you can call art. If you have the audacity, and if people fall for what you do or find it inspiring, then good luck to you. I'm not interested in art for its retail value. When I lived in New York, I could have got a Basquiatvery cheaply:I remember him trying to sell me a painting for pounds 500, because he wanted to buy some heroin.

At Modern Art Inc (020 7739 2081), 73 Redchurch Street E2, 8 June- 21 July

BOOK

LEIGH BOWERY LOOKS by Fergus Greer

As soon as I have time, the book I most want to curl up with is Leigh Bowery Looks by Fergus Greer, which came out at the end of last year.

Despite what a lot of Australians seem to think, Kylie is not their national treasure; Leigh Bow ery is.

Strip away the glitzy production and what has Kylie to say? Nothing.

Whereas Bow ery - who I'm playing in Taboo at the moment - had something profound to say without even opening his mouth.

Everybody else in that period used makeup and costumery to disguise their defects, whereas he used his humungous look as an intrinsic part of his art.

Greer's book captures that.

Unlike Bowery, nobody's got anything to say any more, and even if they did, they wouldn't dare.

VioletteEditions, pounds 16.95.

Photographs from the book go on show at the ICA (020 7930 3647) from 18 July

DANCE SWAN LAKE by English National Ballet

Although I think all dancers should be lined up against the wall and shot, I don't mind ballet because it's a bit more intricate. I used to hate "serious" dance until I saw Michael Clark, because I thought I didn't understand it.

Clark's work showed me that I didn't have to: it's like looking at flowers.

So, I'm very tempted by English National Ballet's Swan Lake. Anything Russian I like. When you go into the museums, you are reminded of that old world that used to exist before the Revolution, when they still had their sense of camp, but you know they have suffered for it.

Royal AlbertHall (020 7589 8212), 12-22 June

5. FILM Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN

I don't like any films that are too hyped, so I haven't been to see Titanic, or Harry Potter, or the new Star Wars. Instead, the film Ireally want to see right now is Y Tu Mam Tambin, because my friend Amanda tells me I should. I trust Amanda implicitly, because she makes great curries. It's meant to be a coming-of-age film set in Mexico, which, at first glance, looks like a teenage road movie, but which actually shows you the political contrasts of how the rich and poor live. It's also about confronting your sexuality.

Amanda says it's m y life story.

On general release

Boy George is in Taboo at T he Venue, Leicester Place, W1 (0870 8993335), until 15 June. He returns to the cast later in the summer.

Interview by Michael Wright

Copyright 2002
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.