Martin Crimp | National Theatre | Directed by Katie Mitchell.

Martin Crimp’s new play, which had it’s world premiere on the National Theatre’s Dorfman stage last month, is billed as a shocking and explosive exploration of sex, desire and violence. More info

Martin Sherman | Park Theatre, Finsbury Park | Directed by Sean Mathias.

This three-hander explores some of the huge social and political changes in gay lives through a tender inter-generational love story. It is a powerful and timely reminder that the freedoms of contemporary gay life were not “ever thus”. More info

William Shakespeare | RSC, Stratford | Directed by Kimberley Sykes.

Rosalind, the banished lovesick cross-dresser in ‘As You Like It’, is one of the great female roles in Shakespeare. Lucy Phelps rises to the challenge, delivering an enchanting and love-affirming central performance in the latest production of this wonderfully strange romantic comedy to hit Stratford. More info

Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx | New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingam | Directed by Cressida Carre.

We’re a long way from Sesame Street in this most adult of musicals. Puppet sex. Casual racism. Porn. What’s not to love about the shocking hit comedy musical Avenue Q? More info

Joe Penhall | Birmingham Repertory Theatre | Directed by Daniel Bailey.

If any art form can poke people into exploring sensitive and difficult topics, it’s theatre. ‘Blue/Orange’, the curiously titled revival currently playing at The Rep in Birmingham, does just that. More info

Anton Chekhov | The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham | Directed by Andrew Brooks.

A complex tale of unrequited love, jealousy, regret and missed opportunities: themes as relevant in 2019 as they were when the play was first performed in 1896. More info

Tony Kushner | Playhouse Theatre, London | Directed by Michael Longhurst.

This powerful, surprising and unusual piece of musical theatre has all the political and personal complexity fans of his epic play ‘Angels in America’ will recognise. More info