★★★☆☆  Often a central performance can hold things together. Samantha Womack who plays Rachel, ‘the girl’, is such a one, helped I’m happy to report by some sound supporting performances. Her portrayal of a woman sailing close to the wind of alcoholism and breakdown is a finely judged piece of acting.

★★★★☆ When the curtain rises on English Touring Theatre’s Equus, a featureless stage is revealed, surrounded by tall, white curtains.  It’s a sterile space, well-suited for the clinical examination of a mentally disturbed patient.  In one corner a figure lies huddled, as if hiding from some torment.  When he stands up, we see that he is not an inmate of this psychiatric unit, but the psychiatrist himself. 

★★★☆☆ The fun in this production comes from the instantaneous quick changes and deft characterizations which occasionally left one wondering who’s what where, so seamless were they. The show gives Bath audiences a chance to see a show which has conquered both the West End and Broadway.

★★★☆☆ This is a new story, written specifically for the stage by Ian Rankin and Rona Munro. Having previously played John Rebus in the BBC Radio series, Ron Donachie again takes on the role. We see that this hard-bitten, Edinburgh detective has now retired and lives alone in his dusty flat, with only a few old case files for company.