The Cause is written in three segments separated by both time and location. Firstly we are presented with Sandor Teleki (Tony Wredden), a painter of Hungarian heritage, and Margit (Angela Dixon) who, trained as a psychotherapist, uses her skills to encourage the use of Teleki’s left side following his recent stroke. We are then introduced to a group of artists – one being Teleki’s younger self – and we watch them, as though in history, plot their political agendas in a local coffee shop. Their radical and extremist ideologies are advanced, which in turn leads on to the third segment of the play: two gentlemen who are members of an extremist political society with the same manifesto as the youthful artists.

A clearly very competent cast deal well with the intellectual language of the piece. Jesse Decoste plays the younger version of protagonist and painter Sandor Teleki. Both Telekis capture a depth of soul in their characteristics, depicting a wise yet troubled artist and political activist. Decoste’s enthusiasm and drive in this role is pleasant to watch and his energy is vital to the overall energy of the piece. Robert Wilde, Alexander Stutt and Emma Mulkern make up the rest of Sandor’s painting and political companionship and the group dynamic is balanced and vibrant. The younger actors in this play really bring a much-needed, fresh energy and pace to the piece and their extracts were so enjoyable that I could happily have watched them all evening. Alexander Nash and Mark Joseph, who both excel in their roles, play an almost comic duo in the form of the two gentlemen in the politically-led secret society. This surprisingly large cast, for such a tiny theatre, are clearly very talented and capable and seem not to struggle with the complexity of the language or subject matter. It is not an easy piece to act, and I imagine it would be exceptionally exposing for an actor not so capable.

There is a vast amount of information on tap during this production and without incredible intellect (not that I have it in spades, as alas I confess I struggled) and a huge amount of concentration you will have to battle to make it through the first half. I’m sure it shall be received well by a carefully invited audience, but I advise to read up on your history before attempting this one, else face being wildly perplexed.

The Cause is playing at the Jermyn Street Theatre until 26 March. For more information and tickets, see the Jermyn Street Theatre website.