This is the first time I have come across the work of award winning playwright Joe Penhall. The Bullet is a dark, disturbing play interspersed with cynical humour. With a contemporary setting in Britain, the play follows the continual decline of a family in crisis over a 24 hour period. Described as a modern version of ‘Death of a Salesman’, the irony in the dialogue is very British. Charles, the father, (David O’ Kelly) has recently lost his job and is turning to drink. He is determined to fight his redundancy which he feels has been engineered because he has been too outspoken. Coincidentally, his two sons return after long periods away from home. Robbie (Jonathan Laury), along with his girlfriend Carla (Laura Killen), returns from the Far East apparently pursuing a successful career in business. Mike (Robert Orme) who moves from squat to squat appears unexpectedly. Billie, the mother, (Sarah Carr) wishes Charles to settle for an early retirement package but he is adamant he will not give in. All the cast give strong performances. David O’ Kelly and Robert Orme give great realism to the two most developed of the five characters. It is a riveting play, tightly directed and moving with pace. Each person will have his or her own take on seeing the play. For me the father’s doomed principled fight against authority is unfortunately all too realistic. ****