There is a curious genre of drama, most often in evidence at the Edinburgh fringe, that is best described as tabloid theatre. It takes somebody else's tragedy, the most appalling newspaper headlines, and turns them into salacious entertainment. These poor efforts garner acres of newsprint and therefore get big audiences. Very often these plays feature Myra Hindley and justify themselves by claiming that they are going to explain evil. Fat chance.
This piece does indeed feature Hindley but there is nothing salacious in its investigation into the psyches and circumstances of women who kill children. It always holds back. Like Greek tragedies, where the terrible atrocities always happen off-stage, this conjures pictures in your mind that are all the more devastating because of the restraint of the theatrical form and the beautiful direction of Annie Castledine.
The result is that it confers a dignity upon both its protagonists - Myra and Gail, a young woman who has smothered her babies - and upon the audience. So does the fact that the after-interval discussion is an integral part of every single performance.
The writers are social worker and therapist Judith Jones and journalist Beatrix Campbell. The piece never underestimates or underplays the complexities involved, raises plenty of questions and offers no easy answers. It does what all good theatre does: makes you want to discuss and argue into the night.
It is perhaps a pity that an element of confusion for the audience slips in when the lines between fiction and documentary are blurred: Hindley is specifically identified, whereas Gail is clearly a made-up character based on the real-life stories of many women.
Sharon Maughan as Hindley and Gill Wright as Gail are superb and deserve medals for bravery. The evening makes you rage at the prison system, question your own attitudes and ask why we demonise some of these women and forgive others. If we really want to understand why women kill children, why do we lock up the evidence and often throw away the key?
· Until May 11. Box office: 0113-213 7700.
