^{Picture: Mark Douet}

An uncomfortable retelling of a horrifying crime that transformed American public opinion on the Iraq war, House Of Cards writer Bill Cain combines efforts with Olivier-winning director Guy Masterson to deliver a desperately complex play. 9 Circles (referencing Dante’s Inferno) frames this nightmarish deed perpetrated by a deeply disturbed US soldier; perhaps, though, with too much empathy.

This psychological thriller is loosely based on the criminal trial of Steven Dale Green, who murdered an Iraqi family and raped their 14-year-old daughter in 2006. Joshua Collins’ performance as Daniel Reeves (a renamed Green) is harsh and believable. He flawlessly executes the difficult task of convincing an audience to doubt his character’s version of events, all the while stringing us along with just enough emotional response to rise some sympathy out of us.

However, the piece as a whole doesn’t seem to know where it stands on the complexities and atrocities of warfare. The play seems to criticise the seemingly mindless violence behind conflict and simultaneously over-sympathises with Reeves. The Iraqi murder and rape victims are essentially ignored and end up as an afterthought. 9 Circles is a deep-dive into a troubled male psyche that ends up skating worryingly close to excusing terrible violence. 

Assembly George Square Studios, until 29 August, 1.30pm.