THEATRE / Previews & First Nights

CAT'S PAW

William Mastrosimone, who wrote the gruelling drama Extremities, of a woman given the chance to avenge herself on her attacker, has now produced an equally inflammatory piece about an environmental terrorist who is sacrificing human life in the interests of a clean water supply. BAC, SW11 (071-223 2223). Previewing, opens tomorrow.

HAMLET

Stephen Dillane gets his crack at the baleful Dane in Peter Hall's all-star production, with Gina Bellman as Ophelia, Michael Pennington as Claudius, Donald Sinden as Polonius and Gwen Taylor as Gertrude. Thorndike, Leatherhead (0372 377677).

A BUSY DAY

The London premiere of Fanny Burney's comedy, 194 years after her father forbade its production - despite Fanny's reputation as a novelist and lady of letters. King's Head, N1 (071-226 1916). Previewing, opens 4 July.

ENDGAME

Samuel Beckett's claustrophobic study of bitter symbiosis, a transfer from BAC with Peter Bourke, John Quentin, Brian Matthew and Pamela Wickington. Arts, WC2 (071-836 2132). From 4 July.

A COLLIER'S FRIDAY NIGHT

John Dove directs D H Lawrence's first play, the first part of a rarely staged theatrical trilogy which continued with The Daughter-in- Law and concluded with The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd. The cast includes Barbara Jefford and Edward Peel. Hampstead, NW3 (071-722 9301). Previews from tomorrow, opens 5 July.

A NIGHT AT THE REVOLUTION

Rob Ballad of Performance Theatre Company (Three Men in a Boat, The Three Musketeers) has written this comedy set in St Petersburg, 1917, where confusion erupts when the Marx Brothers arrive at the Winter Palace instead of Karl. Warehouse, Croydon (081-680 4060). Previews from Fri, opens 5 July.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

A musical by Lynn Ahrens adapted from Caribbean folklore and a novel by Rosa Guy. Gwenda Hughes and David Toguri direct. Birmingham Rep (021-236 4455). Previews from Fri.

THE SCHOOLMISTRESS

Patricia Routledge plays the mistress of Volumnia College in Arthur Wing Pinero's farce. Chichester (0243 781312). Previewing, opens 6 July.