THEATRE CHOICE

SUMMERFOLK

Olivier, SE1 (0171 452 3000) to Thurs

The NT ensemble comes to a glowing conclusion.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

Cottesloe, SE1 (0171 452 3000) to Jan 2000

Trevor Nunn's production boasts Henry Goodman as a magnificent Shylock.

OPENING THIS WEEK

FOUR NIGHTS IN KNARESBOROUGH

Tricycle, NW6 (0171 328 1000) opens Mon, to 4 Dec

Trainspotting's Jonny Lee Miller plays a contract killer in a new play directed by Richard Wilson.

RESIDENT ALIEN

Bush, W12 (0171 743 3388) previews from Wed, opens Fri, runs to Dec 11

The drag artiste Bette Bourne, a friend of Quentin Crisp's, plays the East Village eccentric in a new play that draws on Crisp's New York diaries.

COLLECTED STORIES

Haymarket, SW1 (0171 930 8800) previews from Wed, opens 15 Nov to 5 Feb 2000

Helen Mirren plays a short story writer whose protege becomes a successful novelist.