The Son - Studio Theatre at Altrincham Garrick

WHAT do Altrincham Garrick and Manchester City FC have in common?

They’ve both made a perfect start to the new season.

And in Charlie Gallagher, as Nicolas, a troubled and tormented teem struggling and failing to understand his parents divorce, we have an actor so good, so convincing he’s certain to give the audience an insight into what battling mental illness feels like.

This is, for me, Gallagher’s best Garrick performance to date in a play that’s a very, very tough watch at times. But that’s a key role of live theatre, thrusting audience into world’s that are unknown to them and worlds they’re very uncomfortable in.

The Son doesn’t entertain it educates and captivates and the intimate studio theatre and a very fine and believable cast ensure its a lesson those who see it will never forget.

But this isn’t just the Charlie Gallagher Show. Richard Ross and Kathryn Worthington as Pierre and Anne, are very sympathetic parents, perplexed by the behaviour of their enigmatic son and Ruth Moore, strangely sympathetic as the woman Pierre ran off with, Sofia, whose the middle woman in the middle of all this domestic turmoil.

My only hope is that this powerful piece attracts the houses it deserves, with just a couple of seats free on opening night.

Director Jonathan Barker must have thought all his birthdays had come at once on the first day of rehearsals.

On the evidence of this, I can’t wait to see more of his work. Uncompromising, unmissable.

Until September 27. Tickets are available from 0161 928 1677 or www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk.

Start rating - 4.5 out of 5.

Photo by Martin Ogden.