Thrillers at Eye are all too rare and a full house for the first night of this classic play by JB Priestley fully appreciated a riveting production.

Thrillers at Eye are all too rare and a full house for the first night of this classic play by JB Priestley fully appreciated a riveting production.

The gripping drama, set in the 1930s, has stood the test of time, with its sexual connotations, references to drug taking and fraud.

The atmosphere of a convivial dinner party is suddenly changed when accusations and suspicions rise as Robert is determined to find out the truth behind his brother's apparent suicide. As the evening progresses the curtain of upper-class respectability is ripped apart as each of the friends is exposed in turn. There were no weak links in Tom Scott's well-chosen cast, most of whom were making their debuts at Eye Theatre.

Jamie Chapman gave a commanding performance as Robert, well matched by Hannah Khalil as his wife Freda. Richard Mainwaring seems to excel in each role he undertakes and his interpretation of the finical and unrepentant Charles Stanton in his 26th appearance at Eye was masterful. Philip Stevens as Gordon Whitehouse, Rachael Holoway as his wife, Betty, and Sinead O'Keefe as Olwen Peel all made valuable contributions.

The play runs until February 8. Box office: 01379 870519.