Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: James Sutton, Laura Connolly, Abigail McKenzie, Thomas Galashan.

Writer James Wilkinson (James Sutton) is tapping out and reading aloud his latest novel in a cluttered, claustrophobic study, where the shelves creak under the weight of literary masterpieces. Around him, three barely dressed figures act out his plot – and it’s not one for the faint-hearted.

You see, James isn’t crafting a Grapes of Wrath reboot on his wine-stained laptop, he’s churning out “mummy porn” (the fifth instalment of his “Venus” series, which makes Fifty Shades read like Tolstoy) and it’s already earned him a cool £4 million pounds.

However, here’s the catch – none of his fans know who he is or, to be more precise, they think he’s a woman called TE Larkin aka Stephanie (Abigail McKenzie), a beautiful chancer who, for a healthy retainer, is busy signing “her books” across the globe and appearing on This Morning.

As Larkin’s star ascends, James’ life descends into near madness, like a Formby-dwelling Faustus who sold his soul to porn for pounds Sterling. He’s swapped sleeping for drinking and his work is growing increasingly dark and violent. His wife Sarah (Laura Connolly) has moved out and any hope of writing his own happy ever after is fading fast.

James Sutton shines brightly in the role of a man who, in seemingly having it all, nearly loses everything. In his former soap incarnation, it was always apparent Sutton had something special. His performance here reaffirms just how fine an actor he is – impressive comic timing making the audience laugh one-minute, blind fury frightening the life out of them the next. He inhabits that captivating intersection where enigmatic idol meets everyday man, reminiscent of a young Christopher Eccleston.

Equally as impressive is Ms. Connolly as James’ wife. Her portrayal of a woman both deeply in love with but increasingly scared of her husband is extremely moving. She brings to the audience’s mind a miniature Sheridan Smith, expertly conveying wide-eyed vulnerability as the real victim of James’ success.

There too are strong performances from Mr. Galashan as James’ drinking buddy, a bundle of northern Irish banter and self-proclaimed expert on “birds”, and Ms. McKenzie as the charismatic don’t-give-a-damn Stephanie. Meanwhile, Julia Carstair’s direction is brilliant and pace-driven and her balletic treatment of the sex scenes is inspired.

Writer Ian Salmon is no stranger to kicking down the fourth wall. Anyone whose caught his series of all-female monologues Half the Sky knows how much he revels in his characters looking the audience right in the eye, and because Mr. Salmon creates such beautifully real characters who speak like real people, it never feels anything less than natural. His recent Unity sell-out Those Two Weeks suggested it and Venus Rising confirms it; Mr. Salmon is fast becoming Liverpool’s master of tragicomedy.

Lisa Symonds