There's been a bumper crop of plays already this year and I fear for a very difficult end of year list knowing what is still to come.

I wouldn't say I've loved all these plays, it's not a wholly appropriate word for those that have been difficult to watch, but they have all made a big, big impression.

1. The Ruling Class, Trafalgar Studios - James McAvoy riding a unicycle wearing nothing by cowboy boots and white pants. What more is there to say.

2. Bull, Young Vic - Bartlett on bullying and an intensely uncomfortable watch.

3. Kill Me Now, Park Theatre - A delicate, warm, funny and un-melodramatic look at subjects few dare to tread.

4.peddling, Arcola Theatre - Harry Melling's self penned one man show channels Beckett and Ridley

5. Measure for Measure, Barbican - A Russian production, in Russian and no one was more surprised than I by just quite how good this was.

6. Product, Arcola - Olivia Poulet makes a desperate pitch in this Hollywood satire.

7. Lonely Soldier Monologues, Cockpit Theatre - Harrowing verbatim tales of sexism in the US military.

8. The Jew of Malta, Swan Theatre, Stratford - Brilliantly gruesome black comedy and riotous fun.

9. Chef, Soho Theatre - Deliciously lyrical and poignant monologue.

10. To Kill A Mockingbird, Barbican - Devastating, funny, warm and utterly huggable play.