CURTAIN CALLS

David Benedict
Friday 11 July 1997 23:02 BST
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Waiting for Godot

At last, a production which plays the humour of Beckett's great play without the actors ingratiating themselves. Alan Howard and Ben Kingsley make a truly tragicomic pair, Denis Quilley and Greg Hicks are outstanding and the experience is truly moving.

In rep, The Old Vic, London SE1 (0171-928 7616)

Amy's View

Does theatre matter? Is love enough? David Hare's play is slightly less than the sum of its heartfelt parts, but the problems fall away in the incandescent light of Judi Dench's heartbreaking, astonishingly sincere performance. You must not miss it.

In rep, National Theatre, London SE1 (0171-928 2252)

Shopping and Fucking

There's life in the West End yet as evidenced by Ben Elton's fast and furious Popcorn and Max Stafford-Clark's taut production of Mark Ravenhill's dangerous, disturbing urban fairy-tale of the chemical generation.

Gielgud Theatre, London W1 (0171-494 5065)

The Wood Demon

Love, lust and laziness whipped up into high farce in Anthony Clark's marvellously acted production of this early Chekhov comedy. More like Woody Allen's A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy than Uncle Vanya, which Chekhov later turned it into. A completely charming evening.

The Playhouse, London WC2 (0171-839 4401)

Disappearances

More smart programming by Jonathan Church, Salisbury's artistic director, who brings lucidity and intelligence to Terry Eagleton's thought-provoking play about poetry, politics and power. Final night.

Salisbury Playhouse (01722 320333)

Lady Windermere's Fan

"We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars." Not all the stars in this elegant production of Wilde's delicious comedy about scandal are quite up to the mark, but Simon Robson and Rebecca Johnson are dashing and daring lovers and Rosalind Knight's glorious Duchess is not to be trifled with.

Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London SW1 (0171-938 8800) to 26 July

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