Cloaca

The long-awaited start to Kevin Spacey's reign as artistic director at the Old Vic kicks off with Cloaca - which means sewer, as all those forced to learn Latin will remember.

The drain connection hasn't stopped healthy advanced sales, from those desperate to see whether the Hollywood star and acclaimed stage actor will prove to be the kiss of life or the kiss of death to one of Britain's most venerable theatrical institutions.

The Dutch playwright Maria Goos's drama was a huge success in the Netherlands and now this comedy about four men reunited in middle-age arrives in London starring Hugh Bonneville, Adrian Lukis, Neil Pearson and Stephen Tompkinson. Spacey himself keeps off the boards for now, and takes the director's chair.

Previewing from Thur 16 Sep, first night Tue 28 Sep, Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 (0870 060 6628).