Jessica Beare and Abi Carter in Fanny and Faggot. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Cast: Jessica Beare, Abi Carter, Heather Madden, Harry Parker, Alex Webber-Date.

As director of the production, Rio Matchett should receive a lot of commendation for having the incredible fortitude and sheer will in putting herself and the superb cast through their paces for the play Fanny and Faggot. Not only is Jack Thorne’s play a minefield of emotions that the theatre goer may feel in parts uncomfortable with, it also forces that same theatre goer to understand the social depravity that Mary Bell was put through and what perhaps turned her head and her reasoning into one of unremitting violence.