Darren Royston

We haven't seen a lot of Smetana's The Bartered Bride in the UK recently. Bohemia's best-loved opera is rapidly becoming one of the repertoire's best-kept secrets, which is a shame because it's an enchanting comedy, whose colourful, folk-filled score might be propelled by exotic polka rhythms, but whose human drama feels deliciously close to home.

The Lord Chaimberlain's Men return to Brighton Festival with their dreamy production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. This year the all-male Shakespeare outdoor theatre company are launching their 15th anniversary season at the St Nicholas Rest Gardens in Brighton city centre.

In Gay Company, the stylish musical revue by Fred Silver, makes its West End debut at the Jermyn Street Theatre later this month for a limited run.