An ambitious combination of satire, social commentary, family drama and dark comedy, Lucie Lovatt’s Kill Thy Neighbour is an unlikely marriage of the everyday with the outlandish.

All the action takes place on a set that is quite simply, stunning in its detail and function - designed by Elin Steele, evoking a Welsh cottage that has seen a few generations come and go. Sound and lights were employed to such realistic effect it was breathtaking.

Starring Victoria John and Dafydd Emyr as Caryl and Meirion; Catrin Stewart as their daughter Seren; Gus Gordon as the new neighbour Max, and Jamie Redford as estate agent Gareth, the cast acted persuasively with varied degrees of seriousness. 

At times the family members’ spirited exchanges and lengthy explanations recall the writing of Carla Lane for TV dramas like Bread and Butterflies. At other times it’s like stand-up comedy. But in between, the plot can grow surprisingly dark and twisty. 

As the play progresses, the family uncovers a series of secrets, each revelation presenting a challenge to the status quo. Ultimately, these secrets create a greater bond between the characters, enabling them to decide once and for all whether to leave, or to stay.

The Torch Theatre and Theatr Clwyd co-production is unique in its ability to provoke audience laughter at poignant key moments of crisis, delivering the most withering of lines like the punchline of a joke.

Where angst and humour are not so closely tied together, the contrast can be unsettling. Nevertheless, despite its grab bag of styles, Kill Thy Neighbour is a crowd-pleaser from start to finish that clearly struck a chord with its Pembrokeshire audience on a packed opening guest night before its April 26 to May 4 run at the Torch.

Director Chelsey Gillard said: “It was brilliant to welcome so many people to the Torch to see Kill Thy Neighbour. The reaction from the audience was overwhelming, so many big belly laughs and a standing ovation at the end. I’m so pleased that people enjoyed the show.”