Leviticus – ZOO Charteris

It is the play which disappoints. Attempting to shock and surprise with twists, itturned out irritating. The opening scene runs a conceit too long – by the time there was a revelation, I had lost interest. Austin and his wife Jess host a dinner party to celebrate the upcoming wedding of friends Robert and his new partner Stacia. Austin and Robert were friends as boys in an intolerant religious setting. They part for ten years until Robert rings Austin out of the blue to be his best man. Jess knows both men's' secret problems but Stacia doesn't. Her reaction takes the play into the absurd.

The acting was competent, but too relaxed, lacking drive. The set was overcomplicated – not chic enough for the opening, and they need to sort out the technicals. Should the projection be there or not? Just don't show the worktop.

Derek Benfield