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…
Hampstead theatre, LondonCeleste Den portrays a real-life hero who exposed how local officials were spreading HIV 'You are an enemy of the people," a character remarks in Frances Ya-Chu Cowh…
Lyric Hammersmith, LondonWith a career-defining performance from Anjana Vasan, Tanika Gupta's production is moving, multilayered and intelligent Tanika Gupta has transposed Ibsen's seminal p…
Stephen Joseph theatre, ScarboroughNaomi Petersen's turn is the icing on the cake of this time-bending drama from a writer who has lost none of his ingenuity Dramatists, from George S Kaufma…
The playwright behind A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, who has died aged 92, wrote deeply autobiographical plays that offered an image of modern Britain Peter Nichols, who has died aged 92, on…
Bush theatre, LondonLynette Linton's debut as artistic director is a musical revival of an undramatic piece about the dilemmas of four women The Bush, which has recently revived Winsome Pin…
Turbine, LondonMatthew Needham stars with tremulous assurance as the witty, sharp-tongued drag queen of Harvey Fierstein's 70s drama Theatre seems one of our crazy nation's few growth indust…
Old Vic, London The twisted tale of the Russian dissident's death by radioactive poisoning employs songs, puppets and even Putin as an unreliable narrator Watching Lucy Prebble's fascinating…
Royal and Derngate, NorthamptonThe richness of Wilson's characters make them a joy to watch and a great cast lifts this tale set in Pittsburgh in 1969 By today's standards, the plays of Augu…
As Hansard opens at the National Theatre and drama heats up in Westminster, our critic picks his favourite political theatre Whose side is Shakespeare on? As always, it is difficult to tell.…
Lyttelton theatre, LondonAlex Jennings and Lindsay Duncan treat us to 90 minutes of sustained verbal warfare between an entitled Tory minister and his disaffected liberal wife When a charact…