Power, identity and the true brutality of human nature are laid bare in the latest production at the Malvern Theatres.

Pilot Theatre's production of William Golding's Lord of the Flies was an absorbing, hard-hitting piece of theatre.

Due to the very nature of the play itself, it would be wrong to say the production was thoroughly enjoyable.

As the group of boys, marooned on a desert island, gradually descend into savagery and chaos, I found myself shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

In portraying the bloodlust and cruelty of the play, the cast was extremely successful.

Alan Park excelled in his role as the bullying Jack, while James Andrews and Matt Connor are strong as Jack's followers, who are attracted by his power.

Especially chilling are the hunting scenes, as the boys daub themselves with the blood of a stomach-churningly convincing pig corpse.

On the other hand, Andrew Falvey was well cast as the altruistic Ralph, struggling desperately to keep a sense of order and reason.

Jesse Inman captured the wise, but ill-fated Piggy with ease and Mitesh Soni put in a powerful performance as troubled Simon, who meets his death at the hands of his fellow castaways.

Thumping music, strobe lighting and a stark yet versatile stage set, which is dismantled, broken and muddied along with its inhabitants, adds to the potency of the play, as it approaches its shocking conclusion.

Even after the curtains were drawn on the production, I felt its striking message would stay with the audience for a while to come.

The play runs until tomorrow (Saturday).

Lindsay Holder