STONES IN HIS POCKETS

This charming, low-tech comedy examines what happens when a Hollywood film company descends on a small village in a remote part of Ireland to film a big-budget blockbuster. On a virtually bare stage, two actors play 17 characters between them, including the film's female star. A must - see play, worth it for the hil`arious Riverdance scene alone. What theatre's all about!

Duke of York's, St Martin's Lane, WC2
Tube: Leicester Square Tel: 020 7639 1791

UMOJA

Last chance to see - on tour from 8 Feb! Umoja is a spectacular show, with a new, larger cast performing under a huge African sky. The Tribal opener, with its soaring vocals and drums, is stunning; the Jo'burg street scene is pure Broadway, African-style. At the theatre's entrance, exhibitions, a traditional Shebeen, gumboot-dancing workshops and Ndebele bead-makers make for a real South African experience.

New London, Drury Lane, WC2
Tube: Covent Garden Tel: 0870 890 0141

ZIPP! THE MUSICAL

From 4 Feb. The irrepressible Gyles Brandreth makes his West End debt in a show that includes songs from just about every musical in the known universe. Brandreth dons a host of extraordinary costumes, dressing as one of the trains from Starlight Express and as a host of leading ladies. Brandreth, who devised the show, calls it 'the Ryanair of musicals - no frills but incredible value for money' Expect to laugh until you cry.

Duchess Theatre, Catherine Street, WC2
Tube: Covent Garden Tel: 0870 890 1103

ROYAL NATIONAL THEATRE

Catch the winter musical, Anything Goes, with it's peppering of classic Cole Porter tracks (to 2 Feb). Trevor Nunn's wonderful production of Shakepeare's sophisticated comedy, Love's Labour's Lost, runs in rep with Anything Goes from 21 Feb. Ralph Fiennes makes his long-awaited return to the National stage, playing Karl Jung in the world premier of Christopher Hampton's The Talking Cure (to 5 Feb).

South Bank, SE1
Tube: Waterloo Tel: 020 7452 3000

WHAT THE NIGHT IS FOR

To 23 Feb. Gillian Andersen, best known for her portrayal of the ever-sceptical Agent Scully in The X-Files, makes a smouldering West end debut. She plays Melinda Metz, a married woman who meets her (equally married) former lover for a night of passion. Uncompromising in its attitude towards fidelity, Michael Weller's play asks the searching question: is the person you're with the right one.

Comedy, Panton Street, SW1
Tube: Piccadilly Tel: 020 7369 1731

LES MISERABLES

This show has been running for so long that it seems a crime for any theatre-lover to come to London and not see it. It's the brilliant musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's great humanitarian novel of one man's determined survival in the face of another's vengeful persecution, set amid teh social and political struggles of 19th century France. A dramatic score, a brilliant set and plenty of moving moments.

Palace, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1
Tube: Leicester Square
Tel: 020 7434 0909