The world premiere of local writer Mark Wilson's play is in the safe hands of Sweetspot, the resident professional company at the New Venture.

Through intelligent writing and sensitive direction, a fascinating and moving tale unfolds of changing attitudes to mental illness in Victorian times.

Set in Bedlam, the play centres around Richard Dadd, a painter who had murdered his father, and the efforts of Charles Hood and George Haydon to release him from his madness.

They want to reform the practice of restraint and punishment. Hood aims to cure his patient through the creation of a sublime and cosy world by use of the arts and forward thinking. Haydon believes a cure can only be achieved by talking to the patient and by looking back at his actions.

It is the clash of these ideas that provides the tension of the play and it is only through the perception of a fellow inmate, Emily Clayton, that Haydon begins to understand it is the patient who needs to talk if the root cause for his action is to be faced.

Quality acting from the entire cast makes this a worthy contribution to the Festival.

The production is presented in conjunction with the Samaritans which helps people in emotional crisis by listening.