THEATRE / Previews & First Nights

THE VENETIAN TWINS

RSC transfer from Stratford of Goldoni's exuberant comedy, translated by Ranjit Bolt. Barbican, London EC2 (071-638 8891). Opens tonight.

BLOODSTREAM

Ecological show about the last tree on earth's heroic efforts to save his bark. Watermans Arts Centre, Brentford (081-568 1176). Opens tonight.

THE MARK

New play by the talented young Scottish writer David Ashton about two brothers and their childhood dreams. The Cockpit, London NW8 (071- 402 5081). In preview; opens tomorrow.

THE OEDIPUS TABLE

Phil Willmott directs a production of the Greek tragedy set on a giant table, around which the audience will be seated. Finborough, London SW10 (071-373 3942). In preview; opens tomorrow.

A SUFFERING COLONEL

Director Terry Adams transposes this farce by American playwright Kenneth Lonergan to an unnamed east European country. Bridge Lane Theatre, London SW11 (071-228 8828). In preview tonight; opens tomorrow.

D'YER EAT WITH YOUR FINGERS?]

A new comedy revue from young British Asian actors. Theatre Royal, Stratford East, London E15 (081-534 0310). In preview from tonight; opens Fri.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE

David Suchet plays Sid Field in William Humble's tribute to the great music hall comedian. Queen's, London W1 (071-494 5040). In preview from tonight; opens Wed 12 Oct.

GET OFF MY FOOT]

Phelim McDermott and Lee Simpson, known for their improvisational work, direct and perform their first play. Nottingham Playhouse (0602 419419). Previews from tomorrow; opens Sat.

DR KNOCK

Sam Walters directs Jules Romains's French comedy about an obsessive doctor with odd practices. Orange Tree, Richmond (081-940 3633). In preview from tomorrow; opens Mon.

MOSCOW STATIONS

Tom Courtenay returns to the West End stage in Stephen Mulrine's adaptation of the novel by Venedict Yerofeev. Garrick, London WC2 (071- 494 5085). In preview from tomorrow; opens Tue.

TRUE WEST

Matthew Warchus directs Sam Shepard's play. West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds (0532 442111). In preview from Fri; opens Tue. See feature, above.

FUCKING MARTIN

Gay Sweatshop's latest: an adaptation of the novel by Dale Peck. Jacksons Lane, London N6(081-341 4421). Opens Tue.

ON APPROVAL

Sir Peter Hall directs Frederick Lonsdale's marriage comedy with Martin Jarvis. Playhouse, London WC2 (071-839 4401). In preview from tomorrow; opens Thur 13 Oct.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

New play by writer and journalist Clare Bayley about a love affair between a Kurdish refugee and a solicitor's clerk. New Grove, London NW1 (071-383 0925). Previews Tue; opens Wed.