Enlightenment, Hampstead Theatre

Edward Hall’s first offering is an exciting metaphysical thriller

by Aleks SierzWednesday, 06 October 2010

Tearful encounters: Paul Freeman as Gordon and Julie Graham as Lia in 'Enlightenment'Manuel Harlan

When, earlier this year, Edward Hall took the reins at the Hampstead Theatre, some eyebrows were raised. It’s meant to be a new-writing theatre and Hall has had much more experience directing Shakespeare than in tackling new plays. On the other hand, this venue needed a clean sweep and Hall is certainly able to wield a new broom vigorously. His first show, Shelagh Stephenson’s thrilling play about the disappearance of a gap-year student, opened last night — and it’s an excellent debut.

There’s a twisted emotional knot in the very guts of this satirical and intensely likeable work

Buy

The Memory of Water, Hampstead Theatre review – uneasy tragi-comedy

Explore topics

Share this article

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more Theatre

You Me Bum Bum Train, secret location review - a joyful multiverse of anarchic creativity This latest incarnation of the show is a wild, spinning ride through different forms of reality

The Tempest, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane review - Sigourney Weaver's impassive Prospero inhabits an atmospheric, desolate world Magic is minimised in Jamie Lloyd's pared-back version

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Donmar Warehouse review - a blazingly original musical flashes into the West End War and Peace - but not as you know it

The Invention of Love, Hampstead Theatre review - beautiful wit, awkward staging Tom Stoppard’s evocation of Victorian golden age Oxford stars Simon Russell Beale

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, New Adventures, Sadler's Wells review - 30 years on, as bold and brilliant as ever A masterly reinvention has become a classic itself

The Little Foxes, Young Vic review - timeshifted production blurs the play's focus Lillian Hellman’s family feud set in 1900 Alabama doesn’t survive a confused updating

The Legends of Them, Royal Court review - reaching out for serenity Gig theatre piece about the pain and redemption of a pioneer reggae artist

The Producers, Menier Chocolate Factory review - liberating taboo-busting fun for grown-ups Director Patrick Marber does Mel Brooks's musical proud

A Midsummer Night's Dream, RSC, Barbican review - visually ravishing with an undercurrent of violence This psychedelic mashup conveys a sci-fi-style alternate reality

The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre review - efficient but rarely inspired Relaunch of Elton John musical needs further tinkering still

Hansel and Gretel, Shakespeare's Globe review - too saccharine a retelling for our times Songs and sweeties, but insufficient sourness and sadism for fans of fairytales

The Importance of Being Earnest, National Theatre review - no shortage of acid-tipped delight Oscar Wilde speaks just as strongly to the 21st century as he did to his own

Follow @theartsdesk