Bitterness and despair would better title this gruelling and gritty dissection of a clapped-out marriage. Marion and Douglas are a working-class version of Martha and George from Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, slightly less articulate but no less damning in their savage disappointments and derogatory take downs of each other. If your experience of family life or a marriage is anything similar you’ll be in an uncomfortable space and if it isn’t you’ll be mightily relieved. The show excels through the consummate writing of Bernie Maxwell, and his powerful performance as the hapless, put upon husband Douglas, alongside the terrifyingly good Romina Tappi as his frustrated wife; permanently paralytic through ennui and alcohol. Direction by Peter Fordham is unfussy and effective, including a technique where each character joins the audience to watch a soliloquy of their spouse. If you love your theatre tight, terrific and challenging, live out your hopes and dreams at the Bakehouse.