An Instinct by Hugo Timbrell. The Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1 until 6 December 2025. 2☆☆. Review: William Russell.

An Instinct by Hugo Timbrell. The Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1 until 6 December 2025,

2☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“Predictable horror story.”

Terrific performances by the cast of three and powerful direction by Lucy Foster should have saved the evening but the play is one of those predictable tales in which ill-assorted people end up in an isolated house with an axe and someone is going to end up dead – the only question is which one deserves to die and who will do the killing. Working that out takes half a brain. Tom, played by Joe Walsham, has invited his ex-boyfriend Max, played by Conor Dumbrell to stay at the isolated family cabin in the Forest of Dean. There is a virus raging in the world outside which is arguably the only reason for Max accepting the invitation as Tom has been replaced by Charlie, played by Ben Norris. That he will turn up in due course is, of course, no surprise. The performances are powerful but it is virtually impossible to see what any of them saw in the other as they would be controlling Tom, who does the shopping wearing a gas mask and a yellow plastic suit, eventually allows Max, who is going stir crazy cooped up, to take his turn so that he can see what the world outside is like. Tom has the axe as he cuts the logs for the wood burner. Then Charlie turns up. It seems he is living close by in his camper van and scorns the idea that the world is locked down with the virus. There are issues a plenty raised, and given the scatter line speeches the cast have worked hard to master the goings on and convey them to the audience, but there are too many scenes in which candles get lit, disgusting dishes are brought in from the kitchen – they never, wisely, get eaten – and that axe disappears and reappears and Max has problems making his mind up whether he will stay or leave with Charlie. As to who ends up dead, prizes for guessing that are pointless as it is obvious from the start. None of this is to deny that the actors give fine performances and that Foster has conjured up a sinister world – the winds outside howl and the thunder and lightning come on cue – perfectly. There is much to admire, performances, set, direction and sound, but it is a tiresome evening.

Cast

Conor Dumbrell – Max

Joe Walsham – Tom

Ben Norris – Charlie

Creatives

Director – Lucy Fisher

Lighting Design – Caelan Oram

Sound Design – Julian Star

Set & Costumes – Kit Hinchcliffe