As a student of literature, and theatre lover, I really get quite excited when the West End contains some classic works. There’s nothing better than studying a work of drama, dissecting it in a term paper and then having the opportunity to see the production.

As I was perusing the current list of shows the other day, there’s a fair bunch or classic plays on offer or coming soon; names like Samuel Beckett, Henrik Ibsen and Arthur Miller will always pique my interest. 

Waiting For Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket is a no brainer, many call it the best play of the twentieth century. With Ian McKellen’s name above the title, and excellent reviews, this production shouldn’t be missed.

Henrik Iben’s Ghosts is being revived at the Duchess and stars Lesley Sharpe and Iain Glen; and Tennessee Williams’ Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, starring the great James Earl Jones is enjoying a popular run at the Novello Theatre.

One to look forward to is All My Sons by Arthur Miller which comes into the Apollo theatre on the 19th May. Last year, A View From the Bridge, also by Miller, had patrons queuing around the block for a ticket, so it will be interesting to see if this production captures people’s interest in the same way.

And if you still haven’t seen Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, well guess what? It’s still playing at the St. Martin’s theatre after an unprecedented run of 58 years. If you want to find out who did it, you’ll need to buy a ticket for this quintessentially English thriller.

Ghosts has discounted tickets available from just £14.50 and many others have great offers as well. For a complete list of plays and to book tickets, click here.

Two big names will take to the stage next May, when Arthur Miller’s play, All My Sons, opens at the Apollo Theatre.

David Suchet (Poirot) and Zoe Wanamaker (My Family) star in Miller’s powerful drama about a grieving family, whose various involvements in the second world war cause strain and dark revelations.

The play itself has recently had a lot of press attention Stateside, especially as Katie Holmes made her Broadway debut in the show last year. That production also starred John Lithgow and Diane Wiest, creating a lot of hype, especially when Mr Tom Cruise himself was in the audience on opening night. Thankfully, he didn’t jump up on his seat when his wife made her stage entrance.

Earlier this year, A View From The Bridge, another of Miller’s plays, had a fantastic run in the West End, with the critics showering praise on the production. And with the Tennessee Williams’ classic, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof about to open, it seems like 20th century Americana is the fashion of the moment.

Tennessee Williams’ classic play Cat On A Hot Tin Roof is set to open at the Novello Theatre on the 21st November, but the all star cast (see picture below) have just started rehearsals for this hugely anticipated production.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof features James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Adrian Lester and Sanaa Lathan and is directed by Debbie Allen. The production was a sell out on Broadway and is sure to be a big hitter for London’s winter theatre season.

Last seen in the West End in 2001, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof centres around a powerful American family, who gather for a birthday party that explodes into a provocative revelation of secrets.

I can’t wait. Who can resist the legend that is James Earl Jones!

Don’t miss this one, buy your Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Tickets here .

One of the great plays of the 20th Century is crossing the ocean to take up residency at the Novello Theatre in December, causing excitement and concern…both The Drowsy Chaperone and Spring Awakening (Broadway hits) moved into the Novello with disastrous effects. Neither lasted more than 2 months.

Surely the Tennessee Williams play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, will survive the seeming minefield that is a London audience?

This latest incarnation was a sell out on Broadway with a sublime cast, some of whom are coming to do the West End leg as well. No need to tell you about the Academy and Tony award winning legend that is James Earl Jones…he plays Big Daddy in the African American cast. But remember Phylicia Rashad? She was the mum on the Cosby Show, (one of the best shows in the 80’s) but is also a Tony award winning actress in her own right, for the lead role in 2004’s A Raisin In The Sun. Joing the Americans is Adrian Lester, of BBC’s Hustle who will play Big Daddy’s son, Brick.

This production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is also directed by Rashad’s sister, Debbie Allen, who starred in Fame and won awards for her choreography on the film and TV series.

Despite the pedigree of the cast, the play should stand on its feet due to the story: a steamy American south setting and the politics of a family who has have gathered to celebrate the patriarch’s birthday lead to explosive altercations. It’s quite possibly one of the best known plays in American Literature and the chance to see a Tennessee Williams play on stage shouldn’t be missed.

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof previews from 21st November 2009 and is booking until 10th April 2010. Let’s hope that it is able to play out its limited run. 

Don’t miss out, get your Cat On A Hot Tin Roof tickets here.