The Sunday Preview: Theatre

Arcadia (Lyttelton, 071-928 2252, previews tomorrow, opens 13 Apr). Tom Stoppard breaks the silence with his first full-length play since the unpopular Hapgood in 1988. Trevor Nunn directs.

The Beggar's Opera (Barbican, 071- 638 8891, now previewing, opens Wed). John Caird's enjoyable version of John Gay's grisly opera in which meaty musical arrangements make up for some disappointing performances.

The School of Night (Pit, 071-638 8891, now previewing, opens Tues). London transfer for Peter Whelan's vivid account of the events surrounding Christopher Marlowe's death.

One Step Beyond] (Theatre Royal, Stratford East, 081-534 0310, now previewing, opens Wed). London's homeless storm the Ideal Home Exhibition in Alan Gilbey's homage to the music of Madness.

From the Mississippi Delta (Cochrane, 071-242 7040, now previewing, opens Tues). Autobiographical play by American Endesha Ida Mae Holland who lived through prostitution, rape and her mother's murder by the Ku-Klux-Klan.

The Return of the Prodigal (Orange Tree, 081-940 3633, now previewing,

opens Tues). St John Hankin's Victorian satire about a wayward son returning home from Australia, revived for the first time since a 1948 production with John Gielgud.

FURTHER AHEAD

Book now for the RSC's new King Lear (Royal Shakespeare, Stratford, 0789-295623, previews 10 May) when Robert Stephens and Adrian Noble team up for the first time since their scorching Henry IV.