A one act, high-intensity play with powerhouse performances.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What’s it about?
The world premiere production of Mass is a one act play set in the US about two couples who meet at a neutral space to discuss the connected death of their sons. This fly on the wall drama centres around a private and emotional conversation that no one would ever want to have. All the action takes place in one room, during one meeting, in real-time.
What we loved
The play sustains an extraordinary intensity across its 1-hour-40-minute runtime, heightened further by the Donmar’s intimate setting. A clever slow reveal of the couples steadily builds intrigue and tension around what has happened.
You could hear a pin drop — the audience was completely absorbed, partly because it felt as though we shouldn’t have been witnessing such a private moment.
The writing feels strikingly natural; conversations unfold like real life rather than scripted dialogue. Brief moments of relief offer the audience just enough space to breathe.
A tour de force from the four actors playing the two couples — Adeel Akhtar, Monica Dolan, Paul Hilton and Lyndsey Marshal — delivering performances of grief, restraint and emotional volatility. The performances are raw, restrained and simmering with tension, ready to explode at any moment.
The set’s slow revolve is particularly effective, ensuring every couple and character is equally seen and heard — there is no hierarchy to grief.
Anything we’d change
No, but you feel for the actors who need to perform this piece 8 times a week. Brutal.
Who would enjoy it
If you’re up for a very intense and powerful drama.
Who created it
Written by Fran Kranz
Directed by Carrie Cracknell
The Verdict
A tough watch but highly engaging and emotional piece of new theatre.