Starring Johnnie Lee Miller, Aden Gillen and David Threlfall, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me is a heart-warming tale by Frank McGuiness of three hostages (an American, an Irishman and an Englishman) in Beirut learning to cope with captivity. For such a bleak subject matter, the play is entertaining and the humour comes thick and fast.

Adam (Miller) the American doctor and Edward (Gillen) the Irish journalist are joined in their cell after months of captivity by Michael (Threlfall) a straight-laced Englishman Middle English teacher. Edward whose devotion to Adam hints at more than just friendship, seems threatened at first but soon the three ease into a balanced relationship … until Adam is taken by their captors and killed. Once Adam is gone the tentative peace is also gone. Edward and Michael turn on each other but after a climax of sort are able to meet on common ground and find their relationship stronger than expected.

All three men acted their hearts out. I found myself particularly touched by Miller’s performance – twice being brought to tears by this gentle and thinking character. Gillen was the energy and Threlfall was best when he had me laughing.

This play is well recommended and even though it first premiered in London in 1992 the play’s subject matter is still, if not more, relevant as ever.