REVIEW: The Solid Life of Sugar Water by Shameless writer Jack Thorne is brutally honest and truly captivating

Brutally honest and tender in its simplicity this play is one that grabs you by the throat and drags you into moments of gripping intimacy.

Breathtakingly executed by Arthur Hughes and Genevieve Barr, the pair play out moments of first love, romance, sex and loss with all the in-your-face intensity you would expect from Jack Thorne, whose previous writing credits include Shameless and Skins.

The Solid Life of Sugar Water won rave reviews when it showed at the Edingburgh Fringe and it is clear to see why.

Cleverly penned it is an unexpected emotional roller coaster with the pathos of great highs smashed against scooping emotional lows of a couple as they meet, marry and plan to start a family.

Poignant and challenging, the play covers loss, hurt and recovery set against the backdrop of the cleverly crafted scenery of an upright bed.

The show was powerful thanks to the skill of Hughes and Barr who beautifully presented all the realism of a couple as they grow together.

The performance included audio description and creative captioning, alongside programmes available in braille and for audience members with special needs, winning it the Accessible Theatre Award 2015.

A truly captivating production at the Cambridge Junction.

For details of where it can next be seen visit the National Theatre link.