What's On: Further afield

DRAMA
Phedre
National Theatre

D'oh. If it's not one thing its another in ancient Greece, where love of family inevitably involves crossed wires, buckets of blood and copious calls to Social Services.

The eponymous lead, played by Helen Mirren, pictured, believes her husband Theseus to be be dead and develops and uncontrollable passion for her young stepson.

If that wasn't a big enough maelstrom of emotion, frenzy and dark dreams of the dread deed, things take an unseemly turn when Theseus returns, alive and kicking.

Phedre, taking the path of least resistance, accuses the stepson of rape and Theseus is not best pleased. This examination of the destructive power of passion is based on Jean Racine's 1677 play and translated into brutal free verse by Ted Hughes.

From today. Go to nationaltheatre. org.uk.

ILLUSION
Derren Brown: Enigma
Adelphi Theatre

Don't go and see Derren Brown. Seriously. He'll freak you out. It's not right, what he does. It's not possible and it's not right.

He knows things he shouldn't know. He plays with your mind. If you leave with your conventional wisdom intact, he's had a bad night.

The illusionist says: "Like previous shows, I will absolutely push myself to the limit. The challenge is to create new material that shocks, delights and defies explanation. The audience will be taken for a theatrical roller-coaster ride, and I hope it's an experience that they will never forget."

From June 17. Go to adelphitheatre.co.uk.

MUSICAL
Been So Long
Young Vic

This feisty funk musical focuses on the frustrations of love and lust all drenched in a neon coating of rare groove and comedy. Singer Omar appears as love-lorn Barney, whose bar is about to close.

Meanwhile the object of his affection, Simone, is cruising with pal Yvonne. Raymond wants revenge on Gil who poached his girl. The five lives clash and sparkle.

From June 17. Go to youngvic.org.