Set in the early days of a nationwide lockdown, survival hinges on trust, manipulation, and the thin line between truth and fear. This chilling production from emerging writer Hugo Timbrell (My Life As A Cowboy, Omnibus Theatre; The Vessel, Hampstead Theatre) and Offie-nominated director Lucy Foster (CREAK, Bush Theatre; Roaring Women, Hampstead Theatre) brings psychological horror and a unforgettable experience.
Billed as a queer thriller the three actors are superb in their roles. Taking us through laughter, intrigue and making us jump in equal measure. The story is interesting and the plot trots along at a lovely pace. Occasional lack of colloquialism in the script is bit of a trip hazard.
The cast keep the plot in the air and the writer has a couple of lovely deliberate mis-directions. Special mention has to be given to Ben Norris who is superb in his characterisations, very believable, and in places coming across as slightly out of control. Nice stuff!
The lighting is effective, if simple, and the sound effects are finely tuned and add their own layer to the atmosphere.
This is a play that I’d expect will return time and again as it transforms into a classic.
Photo credit Craig Fuller
Max: Conor Dumbrell
Tom: Joe Walsham
Charlie: Ben Norris
Writer Hugo Timbrell (he/him)
Director Lucy Foster (she/her)
Croft & Dye Productions Carrie Croft (she/her)
Set and Costume Designer Kit Hinchcliffe (she/her)
Sound Designer Julian Starr (he/him)
Lighting Designer Caelan Oram (they/them)
Content warning: Abuse, partial nudity, violence, coersive control
Performance dates: 18th November – 6th December 2025
Performance time: 7.30pm
Run Time: 90 mins (no interval)
Tickets: £20 / £18 (including booking fee)
https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/an-instinct.html