A TALE of intrigue, Russian spys, twins and physics, Tom Stoppard's Hapgood is a moody mix of wit and suspense that will keep WYP audiences on the edge of their seats.

Comedienne and actress Josie Lawrence is the eponymous central character, the prim and assertive spymaster who is charged with uncovering the traitor responsible for leaking information to the Russians.

She comes up with an elaborate scheme to trap the culprit, the dynamics of which can't be divulged here for fear of giving far too much of the game away.

Lawrence is in her element as the guilt-ridden and career-minded Hapgood, who tries to mix espionage with motherhood.
As a woman trying to juggle everything at once she proves it's a tricky business to catch a double-crossing spy while worrying about your son's new rugby boots.

Lawrence's is a stand-out performance in a production littered with excellent work, particularly from Christopher Ettridge and John Hodgkinson, as former Russian spy Kerner, whose complicated relationship with Hapgood appears more than professional.

Special mention goes to 11-year-old George Snaith, who is sharing the role of Joe Hapgood with Jonathan Gilworth. A fantastic performance from a young man who looked just as comfortable on stage as his much more experienced co-stars.

Some terrifically evocative and moody lighting creates the perfect atmosphere on stage and director Rachel Kavanaugh has clearly had fun with Stoppard's brilliantly dark and witty play (the Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love writer made the trip to Leeds to see the new production for himself).

Hapgood is consistently slick and always surprising and its constant twists and turns don't allow your brain a moment's rest. It's another highlight in what is proving to be a strong spring/summer season at the West Yorkshire
Playhouse.
– SARAH HALL