Hard-hitting drama

The Presnyakov Brothers, from Siberia, open their play in an airport. The audience are the passengers, waiting for the airport to open: there's been a bomb alert. Nothing happens, and eventually the situation defuses. Until the next time.

Terrorism loosely links five different snapshots of contemporary Russia. A man ties a woman to her bed and goes to sleep. Awoman hangs herself in a restroom. Two policemen lock up a colleague in a locker; one takes photos of limbs torn apart in an explosion. None is a terrorist, but all inflict or experience terror. Terrorism is no longer simply political: it's social and personal too, running through people like a fuse.

Director Ramin Gray enhances the play's widescreen feel by ingeniously moving the action around the stage. He never sensationalises its themes, deflecting instead the casual brutality, hysteria and paranoia through absurd humour, deadpan responses and blank silences.

The play could be tighter, but the performances from the ensemble have an unusual and uncanny rhythm. This is a quietly shocking portrait of a society unravelling from within. CA

Until Mar 29, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court, Sloane Square SW1, Tue to Sat 8pm, Thu and Sat mats 4pm, £12.50 to £15, £9 concs. Tel: 020 7565 5000. Tube: Sloane Square

Terror 2004, Theatre Of Horror And Grand Guignol