The Shadow Within

The promotional materials for Alan Ferrett's new play would have audiences believe that it “explores the dark ambiguities of belief and exposes the shadow within us all.” In reality, this is hardly the case, the work providing a far shallower succession of psychological thrills than is clearly its intention.

The Shadow Within is centred around Nik Drake's portrayal of David, a repressed priest forever harangued by his domineering mother. Drake gives a fine performance which, by virtue of his character, works as a comic turn.

But whenever the play attempts to transcend the limitations of the comedy-of-manners genre, it falls flat. Unfortunately these sections serve only to break the flow of the play's action, culminating in a frustratingly disposable 'twist' ending.