CAN the truth lead to reconciliation?

Twenty years after suffering torture at his hands, Paulina (Georgie Gulliford) has the opportunity to confront Dr Roberto Miranda (Martin Crawley), to exact violent revenge and perhaps to make him admit his guilt.

Her husband Gerado (Ben Lister) wants to see justice done, human rights lawyer that he is, but can he have any influence on this volatile situation?

Ariel Dorfman’s play continues to be frighteningly relevant and this production directed by Richard Hackett soon exerts a powerful grip.

Lister and Crawley provide able support – the husband facing the full horror of his wife’s past, the torturer finally acknowledging his guilt.

But, inevitably, Gulliford commands most attention.

We feel her passion very easily, and she is most effective when she shows Paulina mocking her captive by ‘playing the tormentor’.

Paulina’s final snatched glance at Miranda, shown on stage by a video monitor, is a pivotal moment.

Ham Quentin