Enlightenment, Hampstead Theatre

Edward Hall’s first offering is an exciting metaphysical thriller

by Aleks SierzWednesday, 06 October 2010

Tearful encounters: Paul Freeman as Gordon and Julie Graham as Lia in 'Enlightenment'Manuel Harlan

When, earlier this year, Edward Hall took the reins at the Hampstead Theatre, some eyebrows were raised. It’s meant to be a new-writing theatre and Hall has had much more experience directing Shakespeare than in tackling new plays. On the other hand, this venue needed a clean sweep and Hall is certainly able to wield a new broom vigorously. His first show, Shelagh Stephenson’s thrilling play about the disappearance of a gap-year student, opened last night — and it’s an excellent debut.

There’s a twisted emotional knot in the very guts of this satirical and intensely likeable work

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The Memory of Water, Hampstead Theatre review – uneasy tragi-comedy

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