Occupying the Theatre Royal's New Vic Studio this week is Shaun McCarthy's thriller 'Honest:Untouchable.' Regular new writing fans may remember McCarthy's 'See His Face', which impressed audiences in the Basement last year, and also, the Old Vic, who have invited him and his production team back - this time, to the New Vic Studio.

Set in Bristol, 'Honest:Untouchable' focuses on psychotherapist Michael, who becomes obsessed with a serial killer loose in the Bristol area. We also meet Michael's clients, Victor and Amanda, and his partner, Kate - all of who become intertwined in his obsession. The clever thing about the writing is that the audience comes to suspect each one of the characters - any one of them could be the murderer.

As well as the emphasis on Michael's relationships with his clients, the relationship between him and his partner Kate also becomes a central point. The contrasting set, one half a minimally furnished, orderly psychotherapists office, and the other half Kate's disorderly, lived-in studio reflects perfectly the contrasting couple. I wondered if writer Shaun McCarthy had been influenced by Ian McEwan's novel 'Enduring Love', as the rational, methodical Michael and the arty Kate reminded me very much of McEwan's characters Joe and Clarissa.

We watch the character of Michael spiral downwards as he weaves a web which not only entangles himself, but also the other characters,  becoming totally enveloped in himself and his obsession. Special mentions should go to Samantha Lynch (Kate) and Ben Tinniswood, who was utterly believable in his portrayal of Victor, and showed skill as he quickly switched to the character of The Hitcher. I thought that the other characters could have been explored more fully and developed further, and perhaps played with a little more spontaneity.

The idea of the play being set in Bristol really worked for me, allowing the images which were created to be all the more vivid, and the well-known voice of Radio Bristol's Keith Warmington adding to the sense of reality. Lighting and sound was flawless and a certainly an asset which added to the atmosphere of the piece.  

I really was impressed with the writing of the play, and the strength of the script covered the small slips which were made on the opening night. A number of times I found myself laughing at the humour of the script, but there were also questions posed which really made me think. McCarthy skilfully explores the lives of his characters and their secret emotions, a script full of imagination but at the same time believable, forcing the audience to ask questions of their own personalities. Interested in psychology? Enjoy trying to figure out 'whodunnit'? Want to see a piece of witty new writing? This one's for you!