Kiln theatre, LondonAmy Ng's 'untold true story' of two friends, who become China's foremost theatre director and Mao Zedong's wife, is a story of survival and a play of ideas It begins with…
Southwark Playhouse Elephant, LondonWhile the story of broken dreams and desperation can't make the leap to an all-singing all-dancing setting, there are great moments among the bleakness Jo…
The celebrated actor has long struggled with the murder and dismemberment at the heart of Titus Andronicus. Now, at 64, he is finally tackling a play that 'teeters on the edge of acceptabili…
New Diorama, LondonWriter-director Alan Fielden and his talented performers explore people smuggling, ancient imperialism and the sound of globalisation It starts off with single words being…
Wilton's Music Hall, LondonEvery character is distinct in this bewitching solo performance by Mark Lockyer, a masterclass in pacing and emotional clarity Shakespearean performance has been a…
Theatre Royal WindsorWhile it might have been revealing to 1970s audiences, this domestic drama featuring cliche characters and a wavering tone fails to pack the same punch Watching Alan Ayc…
Almeida, LondonDespite some delightful clowning, Omar Elerian's version of this timely tale of conformity has too many ideas and lacks focus Omar Elerian clearly has an aptitude, and appetit…
King's Head theatre, LondonA dysfunctional brood gather at a wedding-cum-funeral in actor-writer Rosie Day's dark comedy A wedding is repurposed into a funeral in writer-actor Rosie Day's da…
Theatre Royal BathDespite its cleverly conceived monochrome set and some compelling songs, this series of stories from the master of suspense is a letdown Alfred Hitchcock had confirmed his …
York Theatre RoyalFun, intelligent and powered by Rice's joyful whimsy, this playful take on the spy movie is a crowd-pleaser Mistaken identity fires Alfred Hitchcock's Kafkaesque 1959 spy t…
Was the second wife of Henry VIII really guilty of the crimes she was beheaded for? Pickett's award-winning new play takes a sideways look at her downfall " by imagining its impact on everyd…
Orange Tree theatre, LondonCamaraderie, comedy and a love of the trade shine through in April De Angelis's group portrait of Nell Gwyn and the other female actors who were the first to be pe…
The Other Palace, LondonSarah Cameron-West's one-woman show switches between inner and outer voices to explore envy, anger and inadequacy We are not given the name of the main character in t…
Menier Chocolate Factory, LondonAs a gym-bunny vampire channelling Frank-N-Furter, James Daly leads a superb cast in a gender and genre-inverting romp that lacks bite Before they took on Bra…
Arcola theatre, LondonThis firecracker adaptation of the 1990 Johnny Depp film pokes fun at American conservative values in rockabilly songs bursting with biting ironies This musical adaptat…
Trafalgar theatre, LondonAmy Heckerling adapts her own iconic screenplay for a lumbering production in need of more belters from composer KT Tunstall What do you get if you cross a high-scho…
Yard theatre, London Jay Miller's production raises the ghosts of troubled memories with powerful intimacy in this final show before the venue gets a grand refit Tennessee Williams' semi-aut…
Hampstead theatre, London A group of fantasy gamers begin to exorcise their struggles with grief and trauma in a drama with a brilliant set-up Fantasy isn't factual but it's true, said Ursul…
Arcola theatre, LondonMadeleine Brettingham's play aims to unpick male friendships and send up criminal groupies, but it treats the subject of mental health too lightly to make it meaningful…
Barbican theatre, London Thomas Ostermeier's masterful staging has tremendous performances from a cast including Tom Burke, Emma Corrin and Kodi Smit-McPhee Chekhov described his country-hou…
Park theatre, LondonCassie Bradley and Barney White are vulnerable, brittle and finally tender as Violet and Leonard, in Nick Payne's love story moving through decades Writer Nick Payne exc…
Lyttelton theatre, LondonIn Michael Abbensetts' play, elegantly directed by Lynette Linton, characters work, dream, horse around and question the nature of home This breezy comedy by the Guy…
Royal Court theatre, LondonA woman living in Gaza rehearses her evacuation drill, should an Israeli bomb fall on her family, in Khawla Ibraheem's scalding one-woman play If you had five to 1…
Belgrade theatre, CoventryThere are ideas aplenty in this high-concept musical retelling of Shakespeare, but it gets off to a bumpy start This telling of the age-old tragedy begins with mode…
The Other Palace, LondonA concussed contestant causes a stir with her unfiltered protest songs, in this caffeinated monologue performed by Daisy Steere This musical satire of reality TV is a…