one4review | On 12, Aug 2023

Inspired by real life events, a debut play from writer and director Jamie Armitage, who will be forever remembered in Edinburgh as the Tony Award nominated co-director of SIX: The Musical, which began life at the Fringe.

The play is set in a police interview room with Ruth, a young detective constable, being asked by her boss to interview a suspect in connection with the disappearance and murder of a young women and the more recent disappearance of another young woman. Both are known to the suspect, Cameron Andrews, but he doesn’t look the type to commit kidnap and murder, being rich, well educated, a successful businessman and involved in charity work. He spends a lot of his spare time looking after his elderly mother. There is no evidence against him whatsoever, but Ruth is convinced that he’s done it. Cameron comes in for a voluntary interview, he can leave anytime he wants, but the clock is ticking if there’s any chance of finding the second victim still alive. Ruth’s boss suggests that she interviews him alone, but is this the right strategy, and is Ruth’s conviction that he is definitely guilty based more upon her class prejudices than any real insight? After all, isn’t Cameron the type of guy who always gets away with it?

The play is mainly a two-hander, set in a single room, but really works thanks to the underlying tension in the room and first-class character development. Bethan Cullinane as Ruth and Jamie Ballard as Cameron are both excellent and the play is a compelling watch from start to finish. Almost a sellout already, I would recommend grabbing a ticket if you possibly can.

4.5****

Reviewed by Howard
Summerhall – Old Lab

Until 27th August (not 14th and 21st)