THE RED BARN at the National

David Hare’s new play THE RED BARN based on the novel by George Simenon at the National Theatre was an exceptional thriller. The mis en scene created by the clever use of the Lyttleton sliding doors seemlessly from set to set created a movie like experience enhancing the narrative. There was a real chill in the air from the outset and the tension was maintained throughout. The Hitchcockian opening sequence was amongst the best I have ever seen on stage. Chilling.

Mark Strong, Hope Davis and Elizabeth Debicki give such intense performances that flow so well from set to set that the movie illusion is maintained throughout. This could easily be the best new play that I have seen this year.

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