Five best London shows

King Lear Shakespeare's Globe

Dominic Dromgoole's account of this most gutting and emotionally extreme of Shakespeare's tragedies is fluent, fast-paced and admirably direct. To 17 Aug

Black Watch Barbican

John Tiffany's compelling production of Gregory Burke's drama, which views the Iraq war through the eyes of the eponymous Scottish regiment. To 26 Jul

Brief Encounter Cineworld Haymarket

Kneehigh's imaginative and mixed-media adaptation of David Lean's classic movie offers an artful straddling of stage and screen. To 19 Oct

The Chalk Garden Donmar Warehouse

Michael Grandage's revival of Enid Bagnold's play has meaty roles for three generations: Penelope Wilton, Margaret Tyzack and Felicity Jones. To 2 Aug

Harper Regan NT: Cottesloe

Lesley Sharp gives a superb performance as a working mum who risks her livelihood to visit her dying father in Simon Stephens's drama. To 9 Aug

...and around the country

Six Characters in Search of an Author Minerva Theatre, Chichester

Rupert Goold directs Pirandello's classic satire. Ian McDiarmid stars. To 23 Aug

Don Giovanni New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Chris Monks comically reimagines Mozart's rake as an early 20th- century stage illusionist, Count Zhivarny. To 19 Jul

Crown Matrimonial Malvern Theatre; Theatre Royal, Brighton

An excellently acted play about the 1936 abdication crisis. Malvern, ends tonight; Brighton, Mon to 19 Jul

The Winter's Tale Leeds Castle, Maidstone; Hedingham Castle, Halstead; Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher

The Globe troupe continues its al fresco tour of John Dove's brisk production. Maidstone, ends Sun; Halstead, Tue to Thur; Esher, Fri to 20 Jul

Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi Liverpool Playhouse

Phil Willmott's musical love story spans 60 years in the history of the famous Liverpool hotel. To 19 Jul

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