This new work from Philip Stokes, and starring Jack Stokes and Lee Bainbridge, is a moving portrayal of jealousy, what it means to be a hero, and the importance many people place on leaving a creative legacy. It is thought-provoking and urgent, particularly in the context of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Whilst the title might suggest a focus on the PTSD of the young soldier, instead the ‘shellshock’ comes from the actions of the artist (Bainbridge) with whom the soldier (Stokes) seeks employment. His portrayal of the artist is manipulative and disturbing.

The play deals deftly with the impact of war on the soldiers themselves, and those who felt left behind. ‘Shellshocked’ plays with the idea of power and responsibility, the creation of meaningful art and the terrible impact jealousy can have on others.

The way in which Bainbridge and Stokes bounce off one another, creating moments of high tension and explosive rage is mesmerising, and they captured the imagination and attention of the small (but sold-out) audience masterfully. Their performances are nuanced yet powerful; these are clearly two actors at the peak of their craft. Supported by an evocative use of music and radio broadcasts, with a beautiful set conjured up in the tiny Bunker 2, this is a performance not to be missed.

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