THE BEST PLAYS IN LONDON

Lucy Prebble's new play, Enron, has now transferred to the Noel Coward Theatre after its hugely successful run at the Royal Court Theatre and the Chichester Festival. The Telegraph describes Enron as 'an era-defining must-see theatrical event'. If you want to know where all the money went this savage comedy, directed by Ruper Goold, is for you.

Jez Butterworth's smash hit new play Jerusalem arrives in at the West End's Apollo Theatre, straight from its sellout run at the Royal Court Theatre. A comic, contemporary vision of life in our green and pleasant land, starring Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook. 'Unarguably one of the best dramas of the 21st century' The Guardian.

David Grindley directs John Guare’s adrenalin-fuelled, Olivier Award-winning play - Six Degrees of Separation - a sharp, vivacious take on two worlds colliding. Opens at the Old Vic Theatre January 7th.

After a sold out national tour and an extended run in the West End, Waiting For Godot returns to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, again directed by Sean Mathias with Ian McKellen and Ronald Pickup returning to their memorable roles as Estragon and Lucky. The highly acclaimed and award-winning actors, Roger Rees and Matthew Kelly now join them as Vladimir and Pozzo. From January 21st.

Hollywood star and two-time Tony Award winner Jonathan Pryce joins the pantheon of great actors from Donald Pleasance to Michael Gambon who have played the part of the mysterious drifter, Davies, in Harold Pinter's The Caretaker, opening 12th January after its hugely successful run in Liverpool.

Featuring a dynamic all black cast led by Academy Award nominee and two-time Tony winner James Earl Jones, Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, Olivier Award winner Adrian Lester and Tony Award nominee Sanaa Lathan is Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, the Tennessee Williams' rich and timeless family portrait of a powerful Southern family.

The National's new epic War Horse, based on the celebrated novel by the Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo, is playing to full houses at the New London Theatre. Actors working with magnificent, life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company lead us on a gripping journey through history and the life of Joey, a horse conscripted into the army.

From Stephen Daldry, Director of The Reader, the Academy Award-winning blockbuster The Hours and one of Britain’s best-loved films Billy Elliot comes the magnificent West End production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller, The Inspector Calls.

Lesley Sharp, Iain Glen, Malcolm Storry and Harry Treadaway star in a new production of Ibsen's Ghosts. Directed by Ian Glen. Previews at the Duchess Theatre from 11th February.

BOOK NOW FOR...

The new production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing begins performances at London's Old Vic April 10, prior to an official opening April 21. Hattie Morahan, Barnaby Kay and Fenella Woolgar will star alongside Stephens in this comedy which examines the complex nature of love, art and reality.

David Suchet and Zoe Wanamaker star in All My Sons, the first great success of Arthur Miller's supremely influential career, a compelling story of love, guilt and the corrupting power of greed. Opens at the Apollo Theatre 19th May 2010

Noel Coward's dazzling comic masterpiece Private Lives provides a riotous show down between two of the screens most magnetic stars, Kim Cattrall and Matthew Macfadyen, opening at the Vaudeville Theatre in February.

LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATIONS

The 2010 Laurence Olivier Award nominations have officially been announced. The Laurence Olivier Awards, set to take place on 21 March are awarded to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Find out who is up for which award in this year's ceremony.

The 2009 Tony Nominations are dominated by Royal Court Theatre shows in the play category. Enron and Jerusalem go head to head with six nominations each. A View From The Bridge (four nominations) and The Misanthrope (three nominations) are also among the leading contenders.

In the musical categories Spring Awakening leads the way with six nominations, followed by A Little Night Music (five), Sister Act (four) and Hello, Dolly! (four).

Nica Burns, President of the Society of London Theatre commented on the nominations:
"In an outstanding year for drama, a whole new generation of playwrights step into the spotlight. Eight wonderful new plays – challenging, stimulating and inspiring – include two women in their twenties. Mirroring this, the voting for the best acting awards was so close that the nominations had to be increased, with some of the most exciting young acting talent around taking their place alongside some our most acclaimed screen stars. What a memorable year!"

MUSICALS