By Sarah Vanstone

Set in a London flat, the once happy home of a couple in love, the place has now become the center of a power struggle between the jealous ex-lovers. The title Dogs Barking is a dark reminder of the extremes that people are driven to when relationships turn sour.

A nightmare situation from start to finish, we watch as the characters have one vicious battle after another, between abandoned lovers, jealous sisters and used friends.

It is exactly the kind of situation we all hope we will never find ourselves in, but the intense portrayal of passion is fascinating, and shines a harsh light on the darkest corners of the heart.

Neil’s line to his friend Splodge is telling: “You’ve just come round for a chat, watch the game”. It is supposedly a football game, but really Splodge is a spectator to the mental games going on between the others. Despite the ugly scenes, the play is gripping all the way through. The pace never slackens, and the audience gets fully involved in what is going on.

What all the characters seem to have in common is a desire to be in control, for ownership, and to be wanted. When people get betrayed in some way they can stop at nothing to have revenge. Neil wants to stay in the flat he abandoned, and Alex wont let him. The shocking scene of violence towards the end finally puts an end to all the arguing, but you are left wondering who is happier, after having got what they supposedly wanted.

In a tender flash-back moment to beginning of the relationship, we see the tell tale signs of its eventual destruction, and question what we are really looking for to be happy.

With a surprise full frontal naked moment at the beginning, followed by short tempers and swearing throughout, this is great fun, but not one for the faint hearted.