Theatre review: The Fall of Man

A BROODING intensity is prevalent throughout this tale of infidelity and lust. From the actors' compellingly urgent performances to the intimate space the play is staged in, there's a sense of pressure and tension from all corners.

Loosely based on Milton's Paradise Lost, the play follows the demise of an affair between Peter, and the family's young Lolita-esque nanny. Peter's failure to remain faithful to his wife is mirrored by his inability to fully participate in his new relationship. Simultaneously, our flirtatious home help sacrifices her integrity for more material concerns. Both briefly experience the joy of true fulfilment, but it is swiftly gone.

The poetic imagery of Milton's classic is dynamically juxtaposed against the work of contemporary writer Jonathan Holloway, who captures his two characters through beautifully observed and stylistically distinctive dialogue. As the charmingly irreverence of youth is contrasted against disillusionment in old age, we're asked to examine our own thoughts towards everlasting love and underlying desire.

While the story is a familiar one, Holloway's perspective is original and the play is filled with beautifully detailed observations.

He cleverly shifts the piece from being purely about physical attraction to also deal with the mundane everyday occurrences that are part of life more generally – from the differing moods that the characters experience to the arbitrary things that pop into their heads. Consequently, what we learn about Peter and his nymph-like lover resonates far beyond the fact that they are simply having an affair.

Graeme Rose and Stephanie Day give warm, passionate and engaging performances as the couple who are both enthralled yet simultaneously appalled by one another. The chemistry between them is at times electrifying, with repressed sexual tension building up to an explosive conclusion.

Red Shift are a terrific company who have been creating innovative theatre at the Fringe for many years (their last piece was the acclaimed Get Carter in 2006). Once again, they have created another provocative piece – on the surface a small story of a briefly lived-out relationship, but more fundamentally, a tribute to the kind of fleeting passions that make life worth living.

• Until 30 August. Today 2:45pm.