IAN BUCKLEY’S new play, exploring the dark world of sexual politics, is an extraordinary story of sexual abuse.

Part love story, part psychological whodunnit, its plot is full of twists and turns which on the surface may strain credibility. But The Moment We Met is based on a true story from France where Buckley lives half the year in self-imposed exile. It was in the pages of l’Humanite — France’s nearest equivalent to the Morning Star — that he first read the amazing crime and detection report that inspires his latest piece.

Directed by Buckley himself, it’s a production which sees Mary Drake wringing every last drop of angst and emotion out of the part of Liz, the abused woman. Equally compelling is Daniel Lillie as her arrogant abuser Alan and the play draws most of its strength and truth from the fact that although the two of them may converse, neither really understands what the other is saying.

Add to that some historical forensic developments deep in the play’s DNA and the result is a drama that has the audience gasping.