For a mere groundling to survey, this term’s theatre has more going on than a one-man-band on a unicycle. From comic surrealism to the pathos of human existence; innovative new writers to the Shakespearean classics; and the horrific to the downright hilarious – this is drama like even the Gods have never seen it before.

Stark realism replaces an aggressive beginning to the term, as Chekov’s The Seagull swoops toward the ADC next week – boding a bitter Russian winter to rival the Cambridge chill. The Queen Is Dead at the Corpus Playroom continues the theme of human relationships; as does the critically-acclaimed Staggered Spaces – described as “teetering somewhere in the twilight between theatre and real life”. Gutsy new writing and honest performances should make these highlights of the term. Terse snapshots of real-life dynamics also feature in Post Mortem; guaranteed to raise eyebrows with its probing questions on the nature of ambition.

As work piles up by mid-term, theatre offers two escape routes: fantasy and comedy. The former is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, fusing magical Shakespearean text with ballet and an original score. As for comedy, the ADC is rarely thrifty with its wealth of comic personalities. Tom Sharpe is back with the eagerly-anticipated Hang on Mr Bugson, an evocative play combining humour with realism and distortion. Comedy abounds in Valentine’s week – perhaps indicative of Cambridge romance – with the comedy/thriller I’ll Be Back Before Midnight! at the ADC. As romantic as it sounds, it’s an experience we’d all like to try.

ADC-aside, there is a plethora of dramatic talent on display. The austerity of this week’s main productions is matched later in the term in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me and Skylight at the Corpus Playroom, expounding poignant social observations and some uncomfortable human truths. Juxtaposed with this a musical treat for all the family – Oklahoma! bursts onto the stage at the Cambridge Arts Theatre in mid-February, promising sing-along-potential aplenty.

Rounding the term off with the renowned Medics Revue, and Return to the Forbidden Planet – a space-age encounter like no other, Lent term’s theatre is upping the ante once again, with a feast of unrivalled talent on offer. There’s even jazz thrown in for good measure. Advertising for IntercontiMENTAL, the sure-to-be-uproarious Footlights’ Spring Revue, says it all: “Come see it; it will ROCK your little world.”

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