Vermilion Dream, Salisbury Playhouse

THIS is the national premiere of Chris Lee's outstanding new play.

Set in both present-day and Renaissance London, Venice and Germany, it explores the tortured mind of a talented but self-doubting artist who is obsessed with the great masters Titian and Durer and who sees them and hears their voices in a deepening schizophrenic depression.

Without a comforting interval, this 1hr 40min play is compulsive, shocking, and intensely moving. Catherine McCormack is superb as the disturbed artist, so desperately depressed and confused that she wants to cut off her painting hand.

The contemporary/Renaissance time-shifts are seamless and the dialogue crisp, gritty and revealing, with the psychiatrist "needing her own space" and Titian and Durer arguing artistic values (with subtle ethereal echo on the sound system). Modern psychiatric treatment and medication is questioned, relationships are dissected and the quality of art is examined in this compelling drama.

Lighting, sound, set and direction are flawless and the compassionate narrative gently hurtles towards the harrowing and horrifying final scene. This is an important new play about success, failure and mental illness. It may become a classic.

Runs until November 20.