Fear and Misery

Synopsis

A claustrophobic domestic setting where personal anxieties and global tensions collide.

A Couple, teetering on the edge of paranoia, attempt to plan their future while obsessively monitoring their baby’s alarm. As they navigate their relationship, their rapid-fire dialogue swings between neediness and aggression, revealing deep-seated fears about both their immediate surroundings and the wider world.

Mark Ravenhill’s Fear and Misery, part of his Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat series, is a taut exploration of how global conflicts infiltrate our most intimate spaces. Through sharp, often darkly humorous exchanges, Ravenhill examines the psychological toll of living in a world shadowed by war. The play’s claustrophobic setting amplifies the sense of impending doom, forcing audiences to confront the invisible threads connecting personal relationships to the broader political landscape. As the couple’s anxieties spiral, the line between rational concern and paranoid delusion blurs, challenging viewers to consider how much of our personal lives are shaped by external forces beyond our control.