Going Out: Theatre - THE FIVE BEST PLAYS IN LONDON

1

Summerfolk (Olivier, National)

Trevor Nunn's magnificent revival of Gorky's turn-of-the-century tale of a family, friends and foes grows richer with every passing minute. A sublime vindication of the National's ensemble policy. To 23 Nov

2

Spend, Spend, Spend (Piccadilly Theatre)

This utterly irresistible new musical captures the tough, impudent survivor spirit of Viv Nicholson, the Yorkshire housewife who won - and blew - a Pools fortune. To 29 Jan 2000

3

The Jew of Malta (Almeida)

Ian McDiarmid dazzles as the diabolically engaging villain in Michael Grandage's incisive revival of Marlowe's cynical, pitchblack farce. To 3 Nov

4

Comic Potential (Lyric Theatre)

In Alan Ayckbourn's futuristic twist to the Pygmalion myth, Janie Dee gives a funny and touching performance as an android caught between circuitry and humanity. To 8 Apr 2000

5

Antigone (Old Vic)

Sophocles' great tragedy gets a superbly trenchant and objective staging from Declan Donnellan and a performance of enormous complexity from Jonathan Hyde. To 5 Jan 2000