“I Dare You” written by Tom Powell
Neville Suite, Nottingham Playhouse

Written by Tom Powell who is only 26 years old, this play is the story about two siblings, Emily and Solomon who are coping with the end of their parents’ marriage and the challenges that they have to face and of being a child in an adult world. His use of words are simple but that simplicity, and honesty, bring a fresh and realistic, as well as at times, quite shocking piece of theatre very much alive.

The play takes in very adult subjects such as divorce, death and abuse but doesn’t preach and actually has many lighter, comic moments, despite its’ dark subject matter.It gives a lot of credit to young people and their resilience when put in situations that adults may crack in.

The two actors switch between the parents and the children, as well as the the other characters within the play. There's also a moment near the end which almost borders on a Norman Bates moment as Solomon starts to resemble what we imagine their mother may have looked like.

Sabrina Sandhu plays Emily and Thomas Mahy plays Solomon, and I really can't praise these two enough for taking on what I imagine must not be the easiest of roles, but also must have been roles that they have enjoyed taking on. The extent of the age ranges and the subject matter for both really gave both something to get their teeth into.

Directed by Beth Shouler, and assisted by Omar Khan, they brought out the range of emotions from both actors and succeeded in creating a child like, bickering atmosphere as well as a couple of rather uncomfortable moments.

Produced by Ria Ashcroft, Tilly Branson and Hannah Stone with a simple and clever set design by Lydia Denno.

It's a very physical play and in the small performing space at The Neville Suite, it kept you on your toes, visually, making it an exciting watch.

Drew Baumohl designed the soundscape which allowed us to imagine in our minds the different situations and settings, and that along with the superb story telling of these two actors and the evocative script and lighting, designed by Alexandra Stafford, make this play magnetic to watch.

New writing is always something that sets me tingling as you never know quite what to expect, like reading a new book for the first time. You drink it all in and afterwards you want to know what comes next. This play is left open ended and I for one would love to know what happened next to Emily and Solomon. What I also liked about it was that, where the play was left, was not the happiest and also, if you have an imagination like I have, quite gruesome.

“I Dare You” is at the Neville Suite at The Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 29 September 2018. The play then transfers to The Curve Theatre in Leicester on 25 and 26 October 2018.