How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found at Southwark Playhouse

Indeed it is based on a book published in 1985 so it is extraordinary to see it today in a theatre within a very short walking distance of Potters Fields Park where ITV News is reporting doom and gloom from the City.

Luke Norris (who is in the just released The Duchess film) plays the leading character Charlie/Adam. He is a stressed commuter in a stressful job with responsibilities he can no longer meet.

The play opens with worrying statistics about missing persons and at first it lives up to its title which seems slightly dangerous.

But there is humour from the beginning. Richard Bremmer (Casulty, Coronation Street and Harry Potter) is brilliant at being the old school lost property man. Indeed he is so versitile that at the curtain call one is surprised to see only five actors.

The advantage of seeing a production at Southwark Playhouse is that one never knows how the space will be used. Designer Ellie Cairns has some surprises.

Those working in stressful City offices may not consider this play to be entertainment but they may find it worth seeing although preferably with colleagues.

How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found won the 38th Arts Council John Whiting Award for New Theatre Writing and the Peter Brook Empty Space award 2007. This production was originally produced at the Crucible Studio Theatre in Sheffield.

Running time is two hours, 20 minutes including the interval.