Theatre: CURTAIN CALLS

Into the Woods

Like all the best ones,

Sondheim's fairytale is ripe with wonder and enchantment battling against darkness. Unlike most fairy tales, it has better tunes. John Doyle directs, Mark Bailey designs and Kate Edgar is the musical director.

York Theatre Royal (01904 623568)

East is East

The welcome return of Ayub Khan-Din's fresh, fast smash-hit comedy in which family tensions erupt at home and in the chip shop. Crackling dialogue delivered by a rumbunctious cast led by an indomitable Linda Bassett.

Theatre Royal, Stratford East (0181-534 0310)

As You Like It

Cross-dressing, sublimated sexual desire, identity crises, gender politics and great jokes. Shakespeare's comedy has more 1990s concerns than he could ever have imagined. David Pountney directs after his excellent Twelfth Night last year at the same address.

Nottingham Playhouse (0115-941 9419)

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

Final week for Neil Simon's autobiographical comedy about a bunch of gag-writers on a hit TV show. Gene Wilder has the true comic gift for stretching time, backed up by lovely performances from Stefan Bednarczyk, Rolf Saxon and Regina Freedman.

Queen's Theatre, London W1 (0171-494 5590)

The Winter's Tale/ Ghosts

Mike Alfred's inspirational company, Method and Madness, continue their national tour with Shakespeare's late pastoral play of love and redemption and Ibsen's "All in the Family" drama.

The Winter's Tale, Victoria Theatre Halifax (01422 35118) from Tue; Ghosts, Oxford Playhouse

(01865 572573)

Forty Years On

Alan Bennett's gloriously funny public school account of all things bright, beautiful and British, filled with delicious satires of British dramatic masterpieces.

Theatre Royal, Brighton (01273 328488) tonight; The Orchard, Dartford (01322 220000) 25 Feb-1 Mar

Guys and Dolls

One of the greatest musicals of all time in a simply wondrous production. Need I say more? Queue for returns.

National Theatre, London SE1 (0171-928 2252)