What's the story? Michael Frayn's new play begins with a real-life event, but goes on to explore the meaning of theatrical performance. He talks to Aida Edemariam More theatre coverage

Upstairs, downstairs Margaret Drabble on why there was more to Enid Bagnold than National Velvet - a play, for starters More theatre coverage

The greatness of Simon Gray Blog: What would the diarist make of the latest revival of one of his plays? Review: The Common Pursuit / Menier Chocolate Factory, London

Sutra / Sadler's Wells, London Review: Dance, music and design combine in an electrifying show by the Shaolin monks, writes Judith Mackrell All the latest reviews

Troilus and Cressida / Barbican, London
Review: A production that maps out the play with bold assurance, says Michael Billington

Fat Pig / Trafalgar Studios, London
Review: Michael Billington cannot fault the acting or the storytelling, but wishes Neil Labute told us why America has become so tragically conformist

Tero Saarinen Company / Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
Review: Next of Kin is one of most comprehensively weird productions I have ever seen, but it fails to sustain its own ghastly impact, writes Judith Mackrell
Latest performing arts reviews

Romeo and Juliet / Royal Opera House, London
Review: From the moment the lovers meet, there is no doubt that they are lost, says Judith Mackrell

The Sound of My Voice / Citizens, Glasgow
Review: Mark Fisher enjoys a good-looking production about a family man's alcohol-fuelled midlife crisis

Piranha Heights / Soho, London
Review: This kitchen sink drama is definitely not for the faint-hearted, warns Lyn Gardner

All performing arts reviews

Hidden charges add 30% to cost of seat for music and theatre fans
May 29: Which? magazine calls for more transparency as report highlights 'sneaky extra' fees on ticket prices
More theatre news

Mandela's story to be retold in song, on Broadway
May 26: Broadway producers plan show that will put to music the story of Nelson Mandela's 27 years in prison

Power, intrigue and a horse
May 16: Curtain goes up on Catherine the Great, the musical

Obituary: Frith Banbury
May 16: Eclectic stalwart of London's West End as director, producer and actor

Spontaneous compulsion It's unreviewable, it's unrepeatable and it's too risky for many theatres. But, says Brian Logan, improvisation is finally catching on in Britain Blog: What do you think?

Ringside at the revolution My grandfather's life just had to be staged, says Stephen Poliakoff Review: Breaking the Silence

Meet Ben Whishaw
The actor is making a bid for the title of Britain's busiest thesp

Will the critics never learn?
Mark Ravenhill: It's time for the Brecht-bashing to come to an end
David Lan: Brecht is best
Nick Cohen: Brecht was a coward
Review: The Good Soul of Szechuan

Truth and consequences
US critic Lee Siegel got into trouble for posting flattering replies to his own blog under a false name. Here he reveals why he has no regrets

Ashley Walters, actor and rapper
Portrait of the artist: 'I spend most of my time in a trailer in the middle of nowhere'

Anything can happen
Brian Logan: I'm inventing a show a night for three weeks. How can I weave bluegrass into a story about aliens?
Review: Hard-hearted Hannah
Brian Logan: Flirting with failure

'I am a musician trapped in the body of a comedian' Serious about comedy no 7: Stephen Lynch on why The Wedding Singer drove him to despair More comedy coverage

And the award for the most sexist remark goes to ...
Blokeishness has not deluged the festival like the rain but it has seeped into discussions like the damp in your socks

'I can't wait for Lenny Henry to die just so I can get a TV show'
How tokenism on British TV drove Gina Yashere to LA
Audio: 'I don't want to be influenced by anybody'
More comedy coverage

'After 17 years of slogging along, the possibilities seem limitless'
Serious about comedy: Brendon Burns on winning awards, respecting the audience and cutting to the funny
Serious about comedy: Simon Munnery

Cuban heels In pictures: Havana Rakatan return to London for a month-long residency at the Peacock theatre More performings arts pictures More dance coverage

Who needs Rudolf Nureyev?
Dances at a Gathering was once the Royal Ballet's signature piece, but Luke Jennings reckons the new cast is not about to be crowded off the stage by ghosts

Is ballet's future in America?
Judith Mackrell: San Francisco Ballet's festival makes English ballet look secretive and cautious
San Francisco Ballet turns 75

'I want to stay here for ever'
Judith Mackrell introduces excerpts from choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's diary