After living in America for several years, Teddy brings his wife, Ruth, home for the first time to meet his working-class family in North London; this is the home of Max, shared by Max’s brother and other two sons.

Events soon take a sinister turn, with much sexual tension occurring as Ruth teases Teddy's brothers and father and the men taunt one another with disturbing power games.

A committed and focused ensemble production, and the actors blended well together; as with all Pinter plays, it was hardly a barrel of laughs, but the dark comedy was sharp-edged cynicism typified by the observations of gritty characters within a seriously dysfunctional family.

The Homecoming, One Off Productions, New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth.

Anne Waggott