REVIEW: Gallowglass, Salisbury Playhouse

This is the world stage premiere of thriller writer Ruth Rendell’s compelling psychological study, presented by the hugely talented Middle Ground touring Theatre Company.

Set in London and East Anglia in the 1990s, the play has an explosive opening on Paddington Railway Station with a powerful express train narrowly missing a depressed young man intent on throwing himself in front of the speeding monster.

But young Joe had actually been saved by the mysterious Sandor, who tells him: “I saved your life; you belong to me now.” A “Gallowglass” is actually an ancient name for the servant of a chief ... and so the vicious power struggle begins.

Ten quite superb actors drive the drama, with Joe Eyre terrifying as the disturbed psychopathic Sandor, and Dean Smith mesmeric as the damaged young Joe.

Also outstanding are Paul Opacic as the tortured Dad, Eva Sayer as his utterly convincing twelve-year-old daughter Jessica, and Florence Cady as damaged yet strong Nina.

And Richard Walsh is deliciously gruesome as arrogant self-centred wealthy landowner Ralph Apsoland.

Atmospheric lighting and creative set design with “scenes within scenes” help to drive the pacy menacing narrative, with thundering railway sound effects powerfully effective.

The underlying theme is human kidnap, with resulting ransom demands, and the graphic raw emotions hook the audience from the explosive start to the thought-provoking finale.

Ruth Rendell’s powerful thriller Gallowglass runs until Saturday, with Thursday and Saturday matinees.

Brendan McCusker