There has never been a better time to enjoy London’s play-going scene.

Figures recently released by the Society of London Theatre show that despite the recession, more than 3.6million people attended a play in Theatreland in 2009, a huge 26% increase on the same period in 2008.

Join Celebrate The Play and be a part of this exciting play-going scene, helping to ensure it continues to thrive for years to come.

There are currently over 150 plays scheduled for theatres in the West End and around London. Start selecting your must-sees by browsing the full list

To help you decide, here is a selection of our most recent First Night Features:

• Sweet Nothings at the Young Vic
  
• Private Lives at the Vaudeville theatre
  
• Random at the Elephant & Castle shopping centre
  

For even more play-related info, chat and news, join Celebrate The Play's Facebook group.

Laurence Olivier Awards 2010

Mark Rylance, Rachel Weisz, Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are among those nominated in the play categories at this year's Laurence Olivier Awards, held on Sunday 21 March. War Horse is the only play shortlisted in the new Audience Award, so if you loved it, vote for it now. Join Official London Theatre on the night to watch the ceremony unfold, live!

Just announced!

Peter Hall's production of Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce comes to the West End.

Coming soon

Book now for Mark Rylance and Joanna Lumley in La Bete, Dominic Rowan as Henry VIII at Shakespeare's Globe, Zoe Wanamaker and David Suchet in All My Sons, Helen McCrory in the Donmar production of The Late Middle Classes and Toby Stephens in Tom Stoppard's comedy The Real Thing.

Off West End

Head to your local neighbourhood venue for some quality theatre. See Jeremy Irons in The Gods Weep at Hampstead theatre, visit the Almeida theatre for Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined, and the Tricycle for Chronicles Of Long Kesh. Plus, the Royal Court launches an exciting new venture, Theatre Local, which will see several of its recent productions staged in a disused shop in the Elephant & Castle shopping centre.