Arts Theatre

There's surely space for a fringe-style, smaller theatre in commercial-minded central London but the Arts Theatre is having trouble filling it right now. It's supposed to champion left-field, alternative productions in its cosy two-floor space. 'Waiting For Godot' and 'The Vagina Monologues' both had their London premieres here while 'Closer To Heaven' - the Pet Shop Boys' and Jonathan Harvey's musical about clubland kids - merrily divided opinion. But it's struggled to find similar success in recent years, despite a recent refurbishment and relaunch. Comedy is big on the bill, with Amused Moose a weekly regular and comics from Eddie Izzard to Simon Amstell pitching up at the Arts Theatre to road-test new material. The runs are short so it's worth checking out the kids' theatre programme at holiday times.