CURTAIN CALLS

Playhouse Creatures

April de Angelis's tragi-comic, backstage burlesque about Nell Gwyn and the first English actresses, stars the glorious Liz Smith and Sheila Gish, who won an Olivier award for her knock 'em dead performance in Company.

Old Vic, London SE1 (0171-928 7616), Suns & Mons only

Heartbreak House

Bernard Shaw's extraordinary country- house satire is part King Lear, part Oscar Wilde, part Chekhov. Penelope Wilton is hilarious, tragic and infinitely touching, leading a magnificent cast beautifully directed by David Hare.

Almeida Theatre, London N1 (0171-359 4404)

With Love from Nicolae

Playwright Philip Osment directs Lin Coghlan's new play about the unearthing of a shocking secret as a mother and her adopted son return to Romania.

Bristol Old Vic (0117-987 7877)

Do You Come Here Often?

Seventy priceless minutes of hilarious, heavenly and surprisingly poignant buffoonery as The Right Size find themselves locked in a spooky bathroom and discover more beard gags than you can shake a rubber duck at. Clamour for a ticket.

Lyric Studio, Hammersmith W6 (0181-743 2311)

A Chaste Maid in Cheapside

A rollicking good reason to go to the Globe, as Amelda Brown and Matthew Scurfield kick-start Malcolm McKay's exuberant staging of Middleton's bawdy romp. A feast of money-grubbing, whore-mongering and comedy chases.

In rep, The Globe, London SE1 (0171-344 4444)

The Comedy of Errors

Tim Supple's hit RSC production is wonderfully alive to the terrors lurking behind Shakespeare's double twins comedy. Adrian Lee provides a thrilling soundtrack with standout performances from Robert Bowman and Thusitha Jayasundera.

Young Vic, London SE1 (0171-928 6363)

Guys and Dolls

Three hours of intoxicating pleasure: You'll not believe your eyes and ears. Even better than everyone says it is.

National Theatre, London SE1 (0171-928 2252)

David Benedict