N. Morrison

Ready or not, here comes Imelda! Gypsy's long overdue to the West End is a no-holds-barred triumph, with a talented cast led by powerhouse Imelda Staunton, immaculate direction and precise design. It is hard to imagine theatre better than this.

Forbidden Broadway is back at the Menier Chocolate Factory (last seen there in 2009) and it's like it never left. With a first class cast, excellent musical direction and a ceaseless barrage of jibes about your favourite shows, this is a jolly, fun night out.

Made in Dagenham looks set to be a big, fun, energetic new British musical. The selections presented at the launch are suggest Hairspray meets Essex - bright, bold and vibrant. If the show's script fills in the gaps with a good measure of wit and heart, this could be a very hot ticket come October.

Anne Washburn's Mr Burns at the Almeida Theatre is one of the boldest, most intellectually complex plays to be found on a London stage - and many theatregoers will probably disdain it for celebrating 'low culture'. They are missing the point by about 150 miles.

Picture Perfect, a gloriously sung revue of the work of Scott Evan Davis, provides a reassuring look at the talent working in new musical theatre both in the UK and the USA. Conceived by Simon Greiff, Davis' material is pieced together with the help of occasional fragments of dialogue to create an engaging portrait of a family in trouble.

Life of the Party is a rollicking evening, showcasing Andrew Lippa as a singularly talented theatre songwriter. His work and a supremely talented cast make the show a delight for existing fans of the composer and for those neophytes ready to be converted.