In Rob Hayes’ latest play, A Butcher of Distinction, there is a moment when Hartley (Ciaran Owens) declares that “everything has a value”, a statement that seems to reverberate throughout the play. Whether it’s the value of a broken hair dryer or the value of a young boy’s body for older men, it can be found and exchanged at a price.

I would be lying if I said I completely felt comfortable watching A Butcher of Distinction. The two young twin boys Hugo (Sam Swann) and Hartley are clearly a product of their twisted upbringing. Their desperate hope of finding wealth in the smallest of their father’s belongings after his death continually displaces the notion that they descend from wealthy family with an estate to match. The continual references to playing games, the hinting of their past isolated lives and the engrossing bond between Hartley and Hugo leaves a feeling of uneasy nerves in the pit of the stomach. There is something in this play that clearly isn’t being addressed, and this went through my mind for three-quarters of the play.

Do not be fooled, though, in thinking that this is a setback. What it instead becomes is a game in which Hayes continually lures the audience into the narrative which slowly sees the characters becoming twisted and grotesque. Undeniably, Swann as Hugo is believable in his innocence and readiness to impress and be loved in return. Swann has a knack of allowing Hayes’ dialogue to come across as naturally as if it were written for him, making him a joy to watch as the prized token in the seedy games that unfold. Michael Gould, as the rough around the edges Teddy, who sees everything and everyone as a transaction, is a catalyst within the play. Gould’s explosive dialogue and violent temperament are brilliantly contrasted as the power struggle uncurls towards the end of the play – leaving him a whimpering mess. As the character of Hartly, the twin brother, Owens doesn’t quite cut it against Swann and Gould. The dynamic produced on stage seems slightly false, and whilst this may be a character issue (I struggled to really find Hartly compelling) it does prove challenging for the opening scenes. Later, as The Butcher of Distinction takes a ride down the surreal ritualistic road, Owen really comes into his own and I can appreciate his presence.

It is clear that Hayes is a gifted writer – it’s not everyday I find myself baffled by characters that don’t quite add up, making me wonder what the subject text is. It might be a basic question to ask “what is the subtext, what is writer actually saying?”, but it is this alluring and frustrating style that makes The Butcher of Distinction so enjoyable. It has you guessing and demanding to know more right until the last brutal moments – and even then you leave thinking “well I didn’t expect that“.

I do worry that Hayes’ text is played slightly simply in Ned Bennett’s producation. There is a point in the final scenes when Hugo enters dressed as goat and Teddy loses control over his ‘prized boy’, when the lens through which you’ve been viewing the play becomes crystal clear. As Hugo and Hartley declare “we are not human”, and the sinister undertones of the piece rise up and out of the text into the characters’ actions , I finally see what Bennett’s directional aim is. Yet the journey to this climax is slightly clumsy, and I longed for more of Hayes’ darker dialogue to have seeped through – to at least satisfy my desire to understand the characters more.

As a piece of small-scale theatre, The Butcher of Distinction is superbly written, giving guts and gore aplenty, whilst being both alluring and sinister. It’s great to see such a tantalising narrative taking its audience on an unknown journey into the dark psyche of these unnerving twin boys. It’s a troubling piece, and if my slightly stunned reaction of “I wasn’t expecting that” is anything to go by, then you’re in for a treat. Keep an eye out for Rob Hayes in the future, if The Butcher of Distinction is anything to go by then things can only get better – some great new writing about to flourish.

A Butcher of Dinstinction is playing at the Cock Tavern Theatre until 23rd April. For performance days and times see the website here.