Hymn
Almeida Theatre, London

THIS two-hander serves up riveting performances by two consummate actors who have had to rapidly adapt from performing in a real theatre with a live audience to an onscreen-only production involving many close-ups.

The lighting and camerawork both work wonders in a very confined space and what is perhaps lost from the  theatrical experience is made up for with the bonus of intimacy.

Thirty-something Gil (Anton Lesser) is delivering the eulogy at his father’s funeral when, towards the end of the ceremony, he is approached by Benny (Danny Sapani), who reluctantly reveals that he is Gil’s half-brother, the son of the same father who has just been despatched to the afterlife.