★★★★☆ Without words the actors explore the aftermath of loss with acute observations of body language and memory. In a final act of love, the deceased partner returns, in spirit, in an attempt to free her surviving soul mate from the grip of nostalgia – a highly sensitive piece that left some in the audience wet-faced by the end.

★★★★☆ Brought to the Ustinov by Worklight Theatre, Monster is a highly inventive one-man show by writer and actor Joe Sellman-Leava. In the space of just an hour, and with few props other than a pair of red chairs, he explores the idea that we all have the potential for violence.

★★★☆☆ All the ingredients look tasty enough; a talented cast, a director with all the experience one could want and an award-winning playwright. The designer too has a list of credits as long as your arm. And yet … Sadly no yeast was applied to the ingredients and despite a few moments of breezy turnabout, the mixture failed to rise.

★★★★☆ Christmas Eve is a timely reminder that, being jealous of our democracy, we must at all times remain vigilant, never assuming the arguments are being made for us or that those charged with protecting us know what it is they protect. It is a well-polished gem of a play with fine acting to set it off.