babe. My DS went through this at various stages, and it is VERY frustrating. TBH some night's after trying to get him to sleep for HOURS id lose it and yell like a banshee at him Of course that helped alot (that was sarcasm lol)
All i can suggest, and i still do this with my DS, who has long grown out of that now (thank god) is to talk about what you did that day while your settling him in bed, and what your going to have for breakfast/do the next day when he wakes up. Have the same routine every night.
This is what we do every night
*clean teeth, wash face and put nappy on
*turn light off and night light on (he does both) and daddy gives him a kiss goodnight and leaves room
*I take him in and tell him what a good boy he was today and what we are going to do tomorrow, like bake a cake if he is a good boy and does his chores, mummy has to pay bills etc
*I give him a kiss and reassure him im leaving the door partially open (he has recently become scared of the dark ) and leave the room.

We seriously do that every night and it works. I hope i didn't sound patronising! Just trying to tell ya what worked for us Good luck babe, i hope he settles down soon, i know what its like to dread the evening because of the whole drama filled saga bedtime becomes!
Lots of love xxxx