THE FIVE BEST PLAYS

THE PHOENICIAN WOMEN. Euripides emerges as a thoroughly modern tragedian in Katie Mitchell's powerfully spare production. Stratford Other Place (01789 295623), in rep to Jan. Sat 7.30-9.30. M: Sat 1.30-3.30.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE. West End transfer for Sam Mendes's production, with Zoe Wanamaker and the terrific Claire Skinner. Comedy, SW1 (0171 369 1731), to 16 Mar. Tues-Sat 7.30-10. M: Sat 3.00.

THE JUNGLE BOOK. Tim Supple's highly inventive version of Kipling transports all ages to the jungles of central India using only the bare necessities. Young Vic, SE1 (0171 928 6363) to 27 Jan. Wed-Sat 7.00-9.15. M: Sat 2.30.

RUPERT STREET LONELY HEARTS CLUB. Jonathan Harvey's latest has a sitcom setting but is very funny and moving. Criterion, W1 (0171 369 1747). Sun 7.00-9.40, Tues-Sat 8.00-10.40. M: Sat 4.00.

HYSTERIA. Virtuoso performace from Henry Goodman in a dazzling intellectual farce about Freud. Duke of York's, WC2 (0171 836 5122), to 27 Jan. Mon- Sat 7.30-10.00. M: Thurs 4.00 & Sat 3.00. RB