On stage 30/04/2010

JOHN BYRNE'S new version of Anton Chekhov's classic political comedy finds the action of the piece relocated to Scotland in the late 1970s. The Ramsay-Mackays are not used to struggle, but as their debts mount and the vultures begin to circle, they must face losing their ancestral home and the cherry orchard that goes with it.

Meanwhile, an up-and-coming young investor, Malky McCraken, is sniffing around and determined to make his name in business. But while his main target is the family estate, the charms of the family's adopted daughter Mhairi may yet be enough to distract him.

Royal Lyceum, Grindlay Street, until 8 May (not Sundays/Mondays), 7.45pm (matinees 2.30pm), 12-27, 0131-248 4848

THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA?

BESTIALITY! The ultimate taboo? Playwright Edward Albee is known for challenging audiences, never more so than in his rarely performed 2002 taboo-busting comedy, The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? This award-winning play tells the story of a happily married, middle-aged couple – Stevie and Martin. They have the perfect life together, but Martin, a highly respected architect and a model husband and father, has a secret that is about to blow everything apart... he has fallen in love with a goat. Starring Sian Thomas.

Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, until 8 May (not Mondays), various times, 8-16, 0131-228 1404

LES MISERABLES

JOHN OWEN JONES is back as Jean Valjean, alongside Gareth Gates as Marius, in Cameron Mackintosh's 25th Anniversary touring production of Les Miserables. Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel of the same name, Les Miserables has become one of the world's most successful musicals since opening a quarter of century ago. They do say if it ain't broke don't fix it, however, while this touring production features classic songs such as I Dreamed A Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home and Do You Hear The People Sing?, it looks very different, having been totally re-imagined with a set inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.

Weekend performances are already sold out, and the rest are selling fast, so get your tickets now, before it's too late.

Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place, until 15 May, 7.30pm (matinees 2.30pm), 18.50-48.50, 0844-847 1661

CHERRY TIME: Maureen Beattie