Like ‘Abigail’s Party’ set in a field, ‘Festivus’ is fascinatingly hard to watch. Sami Larabi’s innovative, claustrophobic piece, focusing on two couples at a festival, tells the depressing truth about society. I hate the masterfully constructed characters, hate them because they force me to recognise elements of my own cheating, narcissistic self. Larabi’s real skill is in his sharp accuracy – his dialogue perfectly captures the affected hedonistic patois of middle class kids. Sally Horwill is particularly good as Laura – seductive, manipulative and pitifully fragile – while Larabi is unsettlingly menacing as a damaged boy torn apart by his past. Depicting four friends who really shouldn’t be friends at all, ‘Festivus’ left me wondering the extent to which most friendships are merely circumstantial conveniences.

C Nova, until 31 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Patrick Galbraith]