Human Animals, Royal Court Theatre

Since being part of the first ever Royal Court national writer's group, playwright Stef Smith has graduated to become one of our most exciting new voices, winning a cluster of accoades including Studio Scotland's New Playwright Award and an Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre.

Now, with a reputation for provocative plays such as 2015 Edinburgh fringe hit Swallow, the Scottish Playwright makes her Royal Court debut with new play Human Animals.

In what sounds like a strange, surreal new play, the animals begin to take over the city. Rats, foxes and pigeons threaten the urban environment as 'nature is getting out of control'. And this is no mere vermin problem: 'It's contagious. It has to be stopped, before it's too late'.

We are intrigued to see how such disquieting ideas come to life on stage, especially as Director Hamish Pirie is not short of inventive ideas: his last two productions at the Royal Court included a giant ball pit and a hint of Dr Who's tardis.