The Borderline, London WC2 (0171-734 2095) MonThe Tony Rich Project (above) The rising star of American R&B visits these shores to promote his latest album, Words. The Mound, Edinburgh, to 14 JulyPOPRon Sexsmith Moody, inward, Canadian yet strangely elegant songwriter without obvious precedent. Elvis Costello rates him, as does guitar hero Richard Thompson who he supports at the Albert Hall on Wednesday. A new exhibition examines the work of the multi-media artist. V&A, London SW7, to 1 SeptThe National Gallery of Scotland A selection of work on loan from Boston's Museum of Fine Arts reveals a tradition of watercolour painting from Mornan's 1870s Wyoming landscapes to Hopper's anthropomorphised houses of the 1920s. RSC, Stratford Upon Avon (01789 295 623) to 16 MayTartuffe Jonathan Kent's boisterous but trenchant production is a vitriolically entertaining account of one of the great French comedies.

Almeida Theatre, London N1 (0171-359 4404) to 15 JunEXHIBITIONSEve Arnold: A Retrospective (above) A stylish portfolio of political and artistic celebrity from the grand old lady of photo-journalism. Barbican, Silk St, London EC2, to 18 AugWilliam Morris Designing fabric and pottery, Morris was the father of the arts and crafts movement and outfitter to the middle classes. Theatre Mold, Clwyd (01352 755114) to 25 MayMacbeth Director Tim Albery returns to the theatre after lots of fabulous opera Catch previews of his invigorating new production. Adapted from the novel by Daphne Du Maurier, Hitchcock's shadowy, gothic love story has Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine looking as gorgeously vexed as ever.

Judith Anderson as manipulative housekeeper Mrs Danvers steals the show.THEATREDeep Blue Sea (above) Charting the lacerating love affair between Hester Collyer and feckless ex-fighter pilot Freddie Page, Terrence Rattigan's play dips into the clipped, reserved love of the middle classes. CINEMA Richard III This powerful adaptation drags Shakespeare's history play into the 1930s. A dazzling cast includes Annette Bening, Maggie Smith and Ian McKellen, the cinema's most sinister smiling villain for some time. Safe Todd Haynes' disturbing enviro-horror stars Julianne Moore as a LA Valley housewife suffering from a mysterious millenial malaise.Rebecca (above) The latest in a spate of Hitchcock re-releases, this is a genuine classic. Fill in form R85, available from either the Inland Revenue or the bank or building society with which you take out the bond.Escalator bonds are ideal for those investors looking for a reliable income with no risk to their capital, but they are not the only products available with these features.Non-taxpayers should also look at National Savings Income bonds or, if they are old enough, National Savings Pension bonds, while 20 per cent taxpayers should consider National Savings First Option bonds.Banks and building societies offering escalator bonds include Abbey National, Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, Barclays Bank, Birmingham Midshires Building Society, Coventry Building Society, Dunfermline Building Society, Halifax Building Society, Leopold Joseph, Portman Building Society, Royal Bank of Scotland, Sun Banking Corporation, TSB and Woolwich Building Society.. It is paying an annual income of 6 per cent, rising to 7 per cent and then 8.5 per cent in year three. With the base rate currently at 6 per cent this seems a good deal, says Mr Sanham, as the interest rate would have to rise by more than 2.5 per cent over the next three years to match this rate.However, income on these bonds is taxable, which means that for a taxpayer the net rates are significantly lower (so you may well be better off with a guaranteed income bond).If you are a non-taxpayer you should ask for the income to be paid gross.

The rising income also allows for inflation which bonds paying a level rate of interest do not."Most people see their costs go up over the years, so escalator bonds with their rising income may be more appropriate to their needs than, say, guaranteed-income bonds, which pay a flat rate of interest and make no allowance for inflation" says Amanda Davidson, a partner at the independent financial advisers Holden Meehan.The income offered on escalator bonds is based on current interest rates. If you think interest rates are likely to rise in the future, you may want to hold back from investing in a fixed-rate bond as you may be able to get a better rate by waiting. But if you expect interest rates to fall the interest rates offered today could look very attractive in a few months' time.Banks and building societies offering these bonds are aware of this and try to take a long-term view on the rates they offer. In recent weeks there have been a lot of changes to the interest rates offered on fixed- rate products, due to uncertainty over how soon the general election will be and the outlook for interest rates But not everyone thinks interest rates will rise. Keith Sanham, a partner at the independent advisers Sanham & Co, says: "The market is on the move. There's political uncertainty and a gut feeling interest rates will go up. I don't subscribe to this view."I think the economy still needs some invigorating and interest rates at worst will stay where they are or probably come down in the next few months," he says.But you may feel that in the current political climate it is better to remain flexible and opt for a short-term bond rather than, say, a five- year bond.One of the latest bonds to be launched is a three-year one from Abbey National.