... Rattling tale of excitement Shakespeare's Globe Augustine's Oak Resident writer Peter Oswald's first play for Shakespeare's Globe has a certain historical theme-park tinge that may offend purists, but it does what it has to do from an educational aspect. It even teaches us something about a little-known period of English history, when Augustine, dispatched from Rome by Pope Gregory to convert ...

... The Shop Etcetera Irish playwright Declan Croghan has enjoyed London successes with plays offering an original take on Brendan Behan and Sean O'Casey. But his latest-- a world premiere for Juno Theatre Company--charts fresh territory in the backroom of a Dublin pawnshop, where a mother is locked in a tug-oflove with a young rival for the affections of her middle-aged son. Philomena Matheson ...

... A Warwickshire Testimony Stratford-upon-Avon It is a singular achievement for writer April de Angelis to have taken the raw material of memories (gathered by director Alison Sutcliffe from residents of Warwickshire villages around Stratford) and shaped them into an absorbing two hour drama. This is no sprawling community saga, but a tightly-structured play in which the lives of three genera ...

... Little Shop of Horrors York In theatre's silly season, the Theatre Royal has come up with a show that is fun for all age groups. It is tough on the cast when the star is a huge talking plant, funny and with a taste for humans dead or alive. But the actors have great fun too and it shows. Scot Damian Cruden shares directing credits with Kate Edgar, and they have created a gem. Liam Doona sets ...

... The Bedsit Assembly Rooms A solid, credible performance from James Ellis as retired Irish gunman Shaun Brady makes this fairly satisfying thriller more compelling. Cardigan-wearing Brady is of the old guard he has seen enough of the troubles and of death, getting drunk in late night bars and throwing up in his bath. Wanting to be left alone, he has no mirror to see his worn- out face. ...

... On Business Netherbow The post-1945 experience of Germany's Sinti (gypsy) people is the theme of this 'work in progress' production by Theater Fahrenheit, a collective of Sinti musicians and storytellers and German actors. A collage of humorous sketches, gypsy tales, spirited songs, and darker scenes of wandering families meeting intolerance and hostility, the style of the perfor mance is ...

... Orange Girls Gilded Balloon Theatre Miranda Hart and Charity Trimm are shy. So shy that they stand up for a whole hour in silly orange T-shirts, much of the time wearing the most ridiculous teacosies on their heads, so that a whole room full of people can laugh at them. And believe me, they do laugh, because the Orange Girls have a cracking double act on the go. This sketctvbased show cen tres ...

... Cabaret Verboten New End From the aftermath of defeat in the First World War through the Weimar Republic to the rise of Nazism, cabaret in Germany was the most socially-aware entertainment around. The country's rapidly-shifting spirit was reflected on stage thanks to the era's song and sketch writers. Director Jeremy Lawrence's translations and wonderfully- structured show offer theatrical ...

... The Beastly Chronicles of Saki Jermyn Street Theatre This stylish revue by Chris Roose, distilled from the life and short stories of Hector Hugh Munro, combines abrasive wit with Edwardian elegance, an ideal way to celebrate the fifth birthday of the West End's most luxurious studio theatre. baki, as ne preferred to be called, is no stranger to the stage. Emlyn Williams, who dubbed him Playboy ...

... By Jove, I think they've got it! Perth My Fair Lady Perth Theatre's autumn season opened with a blockbuster production that deserves nightly use of the 'House Full' signs. mere is noi a wean iinK in this cast certainly one of the strongest (and biggest) assem bled on these boards for many years by director Michael Winter. Musical director Andrew Nicol's professional debut as MD was impressive ...

... Toujours L'Amour Gate Having sampled theatre groups from Bulgaria and Serbia, the Gate's East Goes West season now hosts visitors from Romania. Dan Punc ana carmen Ungureanu present their award- winning show, a light and gentle comedy performed in mime and dance, mostly choreographed by one of Romania's leading con temporary dancers, Malou losif. In a series of tender, if rather jejune, scenes ...

... Antony and Cleopatra Shakespeare's Globe Following disappointments at the National and Stratford, Giles Block's vivid, fast-moving and surprisingly witty staging of Shakespeare's tragedy of love will delight metropolitan playgoers and Bankside tourists alike. Press attention has focused on Globe director Mark Rylance's decision to play the Queen of the Nile, part of his drive for Jacobethan ...