West Horsley Place, SurreyStaged in Ghosts' Button House, this interactive whodunnit has a lot of fun with detective-story tropes, quick-change characters and a clever solution The writer of…
White Bear theatre, LondonThe former PM's brief tenure is raked over to seriocomic effect in Greg Wilkinson's play, which raises major political questions A running length of 100 minutes for…
Orange Tree theatre, LondonWith its philosopher-fool character seated at a piano and central to the action, this sympathetically staged 1940s-set production is something of a revelation Wint…
Omnibus theatre, LondonThe installation of the Horizon digital till resembles the villain's entrance in a pantomime The false prosecutions and persecutions of 900 subpostmasters by the Post …
In his 10th decade, the writer is as prolific as ever with a war film in the works and a new sex-fuelled novella set in a home for the elderly. He talks about mourning Maggie Smith, turning …
Rose theatre, Kingston Nell Barlow is heartbreaking as the doomed heroine of the alt-reality boarding-school tale, expertly adapted by Suzanne Heathcote Any dramatic adaptation of a well-kno…
The black British performer started out recording with the Rolling Stones, was on the West End stage by 19 and made breakthroughs in TV and theatre 'Trailblazing' TV, film and stage actor Cl…
With two new plays opening this autumn, the veteran playwright talks about the risks of writing about real events and the threats to leftwing drama and politics With the world premiere of Th…
Cambridge Arts, then touringRebus fans will relish Ian Rankin and Simon Reade's play in which the spiky Scottish cop must solve a crime at a posh dinner party Ian Rankin gave his spiky but o…
Minerva theatre, ChichesterThis adaptation of the cold war spy thriller elegantly compresses the narrative and boasts star-making performances In John le Carré's 1963 name-making novel The …
Ustinov Studio, BathInviting macabre surrealism and terror by torchlight on to a brown 1950s set, Richard Jones leaves room for interpretation in Pinter's early play Harold Pinter's first fu…
Swan theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonTamara Harvey's first production as the Royal Shakespeare Company's co-artistic director highlights the play's sharp political intelligence For reasons of fa…
Regent's Park Open Air theatre, London Jordan Fein's revival, using its outdoor setting to sublime effect, stresses the musical's comedy while resonating with the current plight of refugees …
Minghella theatre, ReadingViewers may be well versed on the Horizon debacle, but this play offers a fresh perspective by focusing on one victim's story A stage set of a small Post Office bra…
Swan theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonStephen Kunken's Republican ringmaster narrates this account of the negotiation of the first international treaty on tackling climate change Key sections of …
Lyric Hammersmith, LondonRachel O'Riordan's powerful production explores political, medical and religious faith with a wholly convincing cast When Brian Friel's Faith Healer opened on Broadw…
Orange Tree theatre, LondonThis chamber staging, movingly played by an immaculate ensemble, fits perfectly with the drama's hothouse of disappointment At 84, Sir Trevor Nunn is making his fi…
Southwark Playhouse, LondonFraming the battle within a 1930s romance and a 2024 walking tour, Adam Lenson's production has big ballads, hip-hop-ish commentary and high camp Headline politica…
Royal Shakespeare theatre, Stratford-upon-AvonEleanor Rhode's ravishing fusion of flamboyancy, surrealism and raucous fun rouses audiences in a youthful, energetic riot Directors of Shakespe…
Ralph Fiennes and David Tennant are among the stars playing Shakespeare's Thane this year. Might the tragedy's current popularity have something to do with the Tory government? After killing…
Leeds PlayhouseJames Brining's exemplary staging solves every problem " the antisemitism, the coercive romance " that Oliver Bart's joyous, beloved but difficult musical presents With child …
Minerva theatre, ChichesterDespite fine acting, Harry Davies' political thriller about a contaminated water scandal fails to plumb the depths of its characters In two senses, this debut play…
The Everton FC chairman and hands-on producer of dozens of stage hits, who has died aged 78, ceaselessly radiated the bonhomie of the actor he originally was While he was primarily a theatri…
Jonathan Lynn's new play finds the political double act in their 80s, in a suitable final chapter to a magnificent comic project For Britons interested in politics, 25 February 1980 was a gr…
Marylebone theatre, LondonSet in a Polish ghetto, Dmitry Glukhovsky's superb play explores the terrible choices made by people under occupation Only the hardest heart would not feel advance …