Intrusion
★★☆☆☆ Confusing
theSpace @ Venue 45 (Venue 45): Mon 18 – Sat 23 Aug 2025
Review by Eilidh Sim
Intrusion presented by Locked In Thought Theatre at theSpace @ Venue 45 is a suspenseful play about your past catching up to you.
Written by James Cumming and produced by Chloé Baines, the play begins with Johnathan on his anniversary with his girlfriend, who then receives some shocking news. It follows his reactions to the news and the repercussions from it.
Rory McColl (Sam), James Cumming (Jonathan) and Katrina Hamilton Smith (Mia). Pic: Alastair More.
Director Grace Louise makes effective use of the staging, with chairs and tables being moved around from scene to scene to set different locations throughout the play. Additionally there are also lots of props used throughout the production such as plates and cutlery, food, and even a record player to create depth to these scenes.
However, despite this staging being used effectively, the scene changes take far too long, with the audience sitting in the almost dark waiting for ages, at one point even waiting for petals to be fully swept off of the stage.
The characters are believable with the in-love couple Johnathan (Cumming) and Mia (Karina Hamilton Smith) confused and upset upon receiving the news, from the angry Sam (Rory McColl). The officer (Benedict Hoesl) and policeman (Christian Grant) are suspicious and try to figure out the truth, however ultimately they seem to be in each scene just to break up fights.
abrupt
At times the plot is confusing and doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Repetitive arguing means that the overall plot gets lost. The end of the play is abrupt, after the officers are seen to break up another fight. It leaves any detail on how Johnathan’s past catching up to him will actually have much effect on his future, ending before he is even questioned and just after the police begin to have suspicions.
Intrusion has a lot of potential however falls short in execution. Possibly given a longer performance slot it could become a thrilling piece of theatre, allowing for the plot and storylines set up to be explored and not just touched on.
Running time: 50 minutes (no interval).
theSpace @ Venue 45 , 63 Jeffrey Street EH1 1DH (Venue 45).
Monday 18 – Saturday 23 August 2025.
Daily: 6.35pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Instagram: @lockedinthoughtprods
Benedict Hoesl (Officer). Pic: Alastair More.
Comment
Suzanne Senior says:
Sat 23 August 2025 10.38am
I really enjoyed ‘Intrusion’ and think that two stars doesn’t do it justice. The acting was naturalistic and powerful and I was actually in tears at one point as a crucial piece of action took place, literally at my feet! I do think it would benefit from a second act to tie up the loose ends, but, for me, it worked as a gripping piece of new theatre.
ENDS
