A critical Guide: Theatre

Me & Mamie O'Rourke (Strand, 071-930 8800, now previewing, opens 15 Dec). Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders star together for the first time on the West End stage in a new buddy play by Mary Agnes Donoghue.

Cabaret (Donmar, 071-867 1150, now previewing, opens Thurs). Mouth-watering revival of Kander and Ebb's musical: Sam Mendes directs Jane Horrocks and Alan Cumming. See Show People, page 37.

The School For Wives (Almeida, 071-359 4404, now previewing, opens Wed). Ian McDiarmid in Moliere's love story.

Wildest Dreams (Pit, 071-638 8891, previews Wed, opens 14 Dec). Alan Ayckbourn homes in on people who get their kicks from fantasy board games. Watch out for Peter Laird as a monstrous Customs man.

Macbeth (Barbican, 071-628 8891, previews Thurs, opens 16 Dec). Definitely one for the diary: Adrian Noble directs Derek Jacobi and Cheryl Campbell as the upwardly mobile Macbeths.