Reviews

FIVE BEST PLAYS

London Assurance (NT: Olivier Theatre, London)
Simon Russell Beale made his reputation, over 20 years ago, playing egregious Restoration fops at the RSC. He now returns, in a blaze of comic glory, to this effeminate breed in Nicholas Hytner’s deliriously funny revival of Dion Boucicault’s 1841 play ‘London Assurance’.\[Kevin Harley\] This is the play with which Dion Boucicault, the young, gifted, and dodgy Irishman, future bigamist and gainer and loser of fortunes earned his spurs on the London stage at the age of 21 in 1841. To 2 June (020 7452 3000)

Jerusalem (Apollo Theatre, London)
Ian Rickson’s beautifully directed production of Jez Butterworth’s hymn to hippiedom, with the incomparable Mark Rylance leading a peerless cast as a frowsty, vodka-swilling ex-stuntman. (0844 412 4658) to 24 Apr

Eigengrau (Bush Theatre, London)
Geoffrey Streatfeild is on terrific form in Eigengrau, Penelope Skinner’s biting new black comedy about the penalties of living in an apparently post-feminist, Facebook- and Gumtree-centred society. To 10 April (020 8743 5050)

1984 (Royal Exchange, Manchester)
In his incisive new adaptation of George Orwell’s novel, Matthew Dunster, who also directs, isn’t afraid to take risks. Jonathan McGuinness’s portrayal of Winston Smith is nothing short of brilliant. (0161 833 9833) to 27 Mar

Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre, London)
It can be dangerous to parachute a pop star into a much-loved musical, but Mel C, the Spice Girl who could sing, is brilliant as Mrs Johnstone, the beating heart of Willy Russell’s drama and a luminous stage presence even as her character grows more careworn and downtrodden. Stephen Palfreman and Richard Reynard are quite superb as the blood brothers, too, growing up in front of our eyes from catapult-wielding tykes to responsible young men. (0845 505 8500) to 31 Jul