Sophie Swithinbank's play Sting, now at the Young Vic, masterfully weaves together misogyny, police abuse, and witchcraft in a psychological thriller that defies easy categorization. Running from June 24 to July 18, 2026, the production has earned a four-star review for its idiosyncratic and destabilizing examination of domestic abuse.
A Thriller of Many Layers
The play opens with Ash (Adelle Leonce), possibly still drunk from a night out, arriving at her new job in an archive dedicated to women killed as witches. Her archivist boss Lily (Phoebe Ladenburg) explains the signs that historically led to accusations: death of livestock, sexual activity, death of infants, and seizures. Lily notes the unsettling similarities between past and present justice systems built on misogyny.
Sting then shifts focus to Ash's policeman partner Dom (Nick Blood), revealing a contemporary abusive relationship that echoes historical witch hunts. The narrative compares now against then, threaded with witchy signs and symbols, creating an atmosphere of bewilderment and threat.
Standout Performances and Design
Adelle Leonce delivers an unpindownable performance as Ash, veering from manic laughter to childlike fear. Nick Blood never overplays Dom's malevolence, showing moments of closeness and love that can evaporate instantly. Phoebe Ladenburg's calm, prim Lily provides a stark contrast.
Debbie Duru's traverse set, bookended by tall shelf stacks, transforms from club dancefloor to office to flat with subtle lighting shifts by Ryan Day. Nicola T Chang's sound design—a radio flickering with names of murdered women, whooshes, and threatening hums—builds dread. Haze adds a magical, disorientating touch, blurring the line between reality and the supernatural.
Director Nancy Medina's Vision
Director Nancy Medina keeps actors cycling between physical closeness and distance, recreating the confusion and mistrust felt by those in abusive relationships. Many lines seem significant only to be dismissed as misunderstandings or trivialities, mirroring the gaslighting dynamics of abuse.
While Swithinbank sometimes overstates themes toward the end, the play remains rich with ideas: institutional misogyny in the police, a portrait of an abusive relationship, a history of witchcraft, and an interrogation of how stories of murdered women are manipulated by men.
Sting runs 1 hour 50 minutes, with tickets at £28. Venue: Young Vic, 66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ (Tube: Waterloo).
