THEATRE CHOICE

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Cottesloe, SE1 (0171 452 3000) booking to Nov

Trevor Nunn's powerfully focussed NT ensemble production boasts Henry Goodman as a magnificent Shylock.

JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL

Old Vic, SE1 (0171 928 7616) to 25 Sept

The return of the incisive drunk.

SUMMERFOLK

Olivier, SE1

(0171 452 3000) to 11 Nov

Nunn's rich and varied production of Gorky brings the remarkable NT ensemble to a glowing conclusion.

OPENING THIS WEEK

KING LEAR

Manchester Royal Exchange (0161 833 9833) Tues to 23 Oct Back on stage for the first time since Art, Tom Courtenay nips in with his Lear a month ahead of Nigel Hawthorne at the RST. Gregory Hersov's cast includes Helen Schlesinger and Ian Bartholomew.

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST

Churchill Theatre, Bromley (0181 460 6677) Tues to Sat Mike McShane, Isla Blair and Danny Webb lead a stage adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel on a 13 theatre tour. RB