Group Portrait in a Summer Landscape at the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh

Prolific, and multi-award winning playwright Peter Arnott likens his latest production to a 'Scottish Chekov'.

There are certainly some similarities to the Russian writer's works; entitled people gathering at a country house; messy relationships; even a dead child, and people unable to talk about what they truly feel, which makes for a tense and thought-provoking evening.

Set against Jessica Worrall's glorious backdrop of the Perthshire hills, the play centres around a dinner retiring academic George Rennie is holding for his family and friends.

It's 2014, just before the Scottish Independence Referendum, but that milestone doesn't take centre stage. Instead, it's the lives of each of the well-rounded characters as changes are in store for all of them, and David Greig's refreshing direction really draws us in.

The nine=strong company is headed by John Michie, well cast as the moody, at times confrontational, host, in sharp contrast to Deirdre Davis's character as his wife Edie who, although unhappy, brings a lightness to the proceedings. I also liked Benny Young, wonderfully colourful as an ageing actor, and Matthew Trevannion's Charlie, an irascible TV producer and a former student of Rennie's.

The whole evening is overseen by Will, the ghost of Edie and George's dead son, whose presence is heralded by flickering lights, and Robbie Scott makes a lasting impression with his wordless, jerking portrayal, mouthing parts of long-past conversations.

Image: Fraser Brand

Group Portrait in a Summer Landscape is at the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh until Oct 14.

Box Office: 0131 248 4848

lyceum.org.uk