THE FIVE BEST PLAYS IN LONDON

Phedre, Albery

Diana Rigg and director Jonathan Kent continue their formidable partnership in this new Ted Hughes version of Racine's incomparable tragedy.

The Play About the Baby, Almeida

Alan Howard and Frances de la Tour tease, delight and disturb in this puzzling new play by the American master, Edward Albee, creator of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

Crave, Royal Court

The play that has convinced even hardened sceptics that Sarah "Blasted" Kane can write subtly as well as shockingly, while still tackling provocative subjects.

Love Upon the Throne, Bush

The Charles and Di story (well, up to the divorce) performed by two men in suits in this very funny and oddly touching piece by the National Theatre of Brent.

Loot, Vaudeville

Joe Orton's farce, involving a coffin, a corpse, bent cops and stolen lolly, is taken at a spirited lick in David Grindley's entertaining revival. Tracy-Ann Oberman is hilarious as the Catholic nurse.

... AND BEYOND

Copenhagen,

Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford

Michael Frayn's fascinating RNT play about atomic science and moral responsibility, the Uncertainty Principal and the mysteries of human motivation.

Hamlet,

Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Bill Alexander, who directed the controversial Mark Rylance Hamlet, now takes a second look at Shakespeare's inexhaustible play.

Samson Agonistes,

Viaduct, Halifax

Northern Broadsides pull off a coup in staging John Milton's rarely performed tragedy with the hero who literally brings the house down.

Dead Funny,

Palace Theatre, Watford

Caroline "Men Behaving Badly" Quentin turns director for this welcome revival of Terry Johnson's dead funny Dead Funny.

As You Like It/Antony and Cleopatra, Salisbury Playhouse

Lovers at two different stages of life are contrasted in this intriguing double bill directed by ESC chief Michael Bogdanov.