Royal Exchange, ManchesterSarah Frankcom says her farewell as the Exchange's artistic director with this moving testament to the power of family life This has the air of an event. It is the …
In an era of uncertainty and anxiety, New York theatre is shunning its obsession with private lives to throw a powerful spotlight on politics It used to be argued that British drama is drive…
On the actor's birthday, our critic picks three key performances that illuminate her gift for earthy honesty Joan Plowright, who celebrates her 90th birthday today, is the senior figure in a…
Almeida, LondonSiobhan Redmond is impressive as a tyrannical mother trying to rescue her debt-ridden family in Tinuke Craig's strangely rootless production This production of Maxim Gorky's p…
Donmar Warehouse, LondonThe playwright throws down the gauntlet to directors, and the result is a show full of ideas but lacking unity Alice Birch's new play, whose title comes with built-in…
Royal Court, LondonPoet Sabrina Mahfouz uses songs, music and humour to deliver an impassioned assault on British imperialism Passion counts for a lot in the theatre. That is proved by this …
Jermyn Street theatre, LondonThis vigorously performed play confronts the country's past issues with a battle between the disgraced ex-president, Jacob Zuma, and one of his fiercest critics …
Vaudeville, London From age six to 30, Mischief Theatre's engaging band of classmates bicker and play but rarely test the assumption that character is formed in childhood Mischief Theatre, w…
Wyndham's theatre, London With fart jokes and skiffle songs, this Sean Foley adaptation ditches the innocence of the 1950s capitalist comedy, but has plenty of drive This is Sean Foley's ver…
Barbican, LondonA gifted cast from Moscow's Theatre of Nations brings Soviet-era stories of folly and obsession to enchanting life I confess to knowing little of Vasily Shukshin (1929-74) wh…
The Guardian's theatre critic reflects on why the stage remains such a vital means of distilling society We live, to put it mildly, in volatile times. No one knows for sure where this countr…
Finborough theatre, LondonA patriotic history professor clashes with her activist student in a smart play sustained by an early surge of ideas First produced in Boston in 2018, Eleanor Burge…
Trafalgar Studios, LondonThere are excellent performances from a cast including Toby Stephens and Claire Skinner, in a fine revival of Nichols' humane play It is 52 years since Peter Nichols…
Lyttelton, London Athol Fugard explores South Africa in 1950 through a white teenager and two black men who practise ballroom routines The plays Athol Fugard co-created with John Kani and Wi…
Unfinished Jane Austen novels have been adapted for television and the stage. Theatre's room for experiment delivers the most satisfying imaginative leap By a strange chance it is currently …
Chichester Festival theatreThe murderous thane faces witches, relentless video and a musical assault in this lengthy production but emerges as a figure of rare complexity Read interview with…
Curve, LeicesterAdapted from Hanif Kureishi's 1985 film, this production retains its 80s ethos while speaking to today's world with the racial and gender politics heightened Making plays out…
Bridge theatre, LondonZoë Wanamaker and Zrinka CviteÅ¡ić attempt to seize power at a summit meeting in Nancy Harris's provocative play The finest song in Hamilton hymns the urge to …
Royal Court, LondonCaryl Churchill's four pieces entertainingly combine mythical, mundane and gory Every Caryl Churchill play is an experiment with form. Her latest work comprises four piece…
Coronet theatre, LondonChristopher Hampton's disturbing adaptation of Ödön von Horváth's 1937 novel is a promising text, albeit let down by an imperfect production Christopher Hampto…
The Vaults, LondonDavid Hare's searing play about the chaos and tragedy that followed rail privatisation rings as true today as ever 'We have ended up with a very dysfunctional and flawed sy…
Crucible, SheffieldThis dramatisation of the mental health bestseller takes a step towards removing the stigma from depression " though it's no substitute for the book Depression is "invisib…
Dorfman, LondonAlexander Zeldin's latest production shines a light on the resilience and humour of those struggling to survive Alexander Zeldin's plays are like no one else's: they humanely …
In Jerusalem, the playwright laid bare a country's phoney myths and confronted who we are as individuals and nations The best plays of the 21st century Jez Butterworth is one of only two wri…
Arcola, LondonGothic sound design and a trio of sharp central performances lend this version of Lisa D'Amour's rather mystifying play some definition Lisa D'Amour's play is as weird as its t…