The Independent Recommends: The Five Best Plays

Good (Donmar Warehouse, London)

Starring Charles Dance, CP Taylor's play about accommodations with conscience is revived in a sensitive production by Michael Grandage. To 22 May

Making Noise Quietly (Whitehall Theatre, London)

Very welcome West End run for Deborah Bruce's lovely poetic revival of Robert Holman's sensitive, elliptical triptych about the effects of war. To 22 May

Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre, London)

Designed to bring out the Dancing Queen in the straightest soul, this silly, enjoyable musical finds flagrant plot excuses for 27 Abba golden oldies. Booking to 11 Sept

Volpone (Swan Theatre, Stratford)

Comedies don't come any funnier or more astringent than Ben Jonson's brilliant dissection of avaricious, over-reaching egotism. To 9 Oct

Othello (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford)

Ray Fearon may be too young for the title role, but Michael Attenborough's production (right) is remarkably fresh and involving, with a revelatory Iago from Richard McCabe. To 7 Oct

Paul Taylor