April 23, 2001 16:00: You may think Die Fledermaus is a strangely-named opera about a mouse but you'd be wrong. In fact, it is actually about a bat. That's not bat as in baseball bat but bat as in the little mouse's flying rodent cousin. Yes, those blind furry things that dive bomb you on your camping holidays in Cornwall. The title Die Fledermaus actually translates from the German to, quite simply, The Bat.

The opera, which was written by Johann Strauss, isn't simply about a bat. It's about a party where someone is dressed up as a bat. Sounds like a thriller. That's the most dramatic premise since Flash Gordon had six hours to save the earth.

Okay, the opera isn't just about a fancy dress party but is set around a man disguised as a bat who takes revenge on his former friends. The story oozes with charm, glamour and romance and has captivated audiences from overture to final curtain for many years.

Kentish Opera, one of the most highly-regarded provincial opera companies in the country, will no doubt do another good job on the piece. They bring contagious enthusiasm to all their performances and can seriously belt out the tunes.

Kentish Opera's Die Fledermaus is showing at the Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, from Tuesday, April 24, to Saturday, April 28. Performances begin at 7.30pm. There is also an additional matinee performance at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Tickets range from £12 to £20 and can be booked in advance by calling the theatre box office on 020 8460 6677.

Credit card bookings can be taken through Ticketmaster's 24-hour line on 0870 444 6063.

Dominic Leyton