Hannah Schmidt (set and costume design) uses the small intimate space of the Finborough’s auditorium ingeniously, leaving it as simply a square of red chairs, within and around which the action takes place, affording both actors and audience opportunities to engage briefly as they pass. The stations where Silbermann finds himself turned back, revealed by Mattis Larsen’s clever lighting, which picks out their names above, and Joseph Alford’s soundscape of train noises, including whistles and brakes, adds to the tension. The atmosphere, in turn, is intensified thanks to director Tim Supple’s flair and empathy. It’s also worth noting that this is Menuhin’s first full-length production and the result is a remarkable staging of a tense drama.
By Judi Herman
Photos by Steve Gregson
The Passenger runs until Saturday 15 March. 7.30pm, 3pm (Sat & Sun only). £18-£25. Finborough Theatre, SW10 9ED. finboroughtheatre.co.uk
