Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

Not to be confused with the more mainstream, less excellent Lyric theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue the Hammersmith Lyric is a cheery pile of fin-de-siécle decadence - a 550 seat auditorium flecked with jolly gilt edges and cushioned in bright, plush velvet.

As befits a proper London theatre the Lyric has hosted a heady constellation of Brit talent, and endured more than one wretched epoch. Nearly demolished in the '60s, it had to be reconstructed in the '70s and then very nearly went to the wall in the '90s when funding evaporated.

Happily it has comeback with a vengeance and is nowadays known for risk-taking and innovation. These days the Lyric's innovative and cleverly staged productions are a benchmark for London's theatreland.

Our favourite recent show was Shockheaded Peter, a set of cautionary fairytales performed by the Tiger Lillies which had the children in the audience singing along, then screaming in horror. Past highlights include the first production, in 1964, of Pinter's The Birthday Party. The audience, full of critics, booed.