Mitch is trapped in his father's cabin in the woods with Lino, who has lured him there under false pretenses. That's about all you get in the way of exposition in The Dirty Talk's first twenty minutes, and while this raises the anxiety levels and gives a sense of claustrophobia, it also frustrates, at least until the script moves from developing mood to developing story and character.

The play picks up pace in the second half, examining themes of identity with stories of filial frustration from Mitch’s childhood and his confusion at a recent breakup. Lino is less well drawn, acting more as a catalyst to Mitch than the other way around, despite the occasional nice turn of phrase. 

The piece could have become very stale in the hands of less accomplished actors. Nicholas Hammond as Lino and James Sindall as Mitch manage to create a pair of tragic, needy yet sympathetic characters who having initially lied to each other manage to open themselves up just enough before the inconclusive, yet hopeful end.

C Chambers St, 0870 701 5105, until Aug 25 (not 12), 4.40pm, £9.50–£11.50 (£7.50–£9.50).