★★★★☆ Penned in the mid-1930s by Patrick Hamilton, the story explores the mental abuse of a woman by her husband, a psychological practice now known as ‘gaslighting’ because of this very play. Although it is set in 1871, the subject matter is as relevant now as then and would not be out of place on a prime time television thriller.

Inspired by Puccini’s opera La Bohème, the story focuses on a group of bohemian artists who struggle to maintain their friendships and their non-conformist ideals in New York’s East Village, in the mid nineties. Anna Fleischle’s stage design captures the very essence of street life with her brilliant recreation of the now famous corner of East 11th Street and Avenue B, delightfully utilising every inch of performance space . . . This production of Rent is magnificent, a theatrical event that will leave you feeling emotionally violated in the best way possible.