1 OTHELLO

Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the title role to Ewan McGregor’s Iago, with Kelly Reilly as Desdemona, in Michael Grandage’s hotly anticipated new production. Donmar Warehouse, Earlham Street, WC2 (www.donmarwarehouse.com 0870 0606624), opens Tues

2 GOD IN RUINS

Anthony Neilson’s new black comedy, presented by the RSC, in which 11 men grapple with their emotional failings and relationships during the festive season. Soho Theatre, Dean Street, W1 (www.sohotheatre.com 0870 4296883), opens Wed

3 THE FAMILY PLAYS

A double bill of European drama, comprising Joakim Pirinen’s Swedish comedy of apparently perfect liberal family life, and the Ukrainian writer Natalia Vorozhbit’s hospital-set piece that offsets the domestic with global politics. Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Sloane Square, SW1 (www.royalcourttheatre.com 020-7565 5000), opens Wed

4 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

New panto by the award- winning dramatist Jonathan Harvey. Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, EC2 (www.barbican.org.uk 0845 1207515), opens Thur

5 ROUGH MUSIC Sylvia Freedman’s new musical play tells the story of Jessie Sanders, a 19th- century factory-worker who became an entertainer. King’s Head, Upper Street, N1 (www.kingsheadtheatre.org 020-7226 1916), opens Fri

For more theatre in your area, timesonline.co.uk/theatre