An intense, poignant play, Proof deals with themes that will be well recognised by a Cambridge audience. When Hal (Will Chappell) speaks about his feelings of mediocrity compared to the brilliant academics he is surrounded by every day, it perfectly resembles the countless conversations I’ve had with friends when our work wasn't going so well. Hal, Catherine, and her father Robert live in a bubble of academia, and within this, the discovery of a new mathematical proof really is the be all and end all, causing breakdowns of trust and rift between characters.

The small, intimate setting of the Corpus Playroom works brilliantly for a show with such a small cast and such complex, yet subtly portrayed characters. An elaborate set was constructed for the show, which takes place entirely on the back veranda of Catherine’s home. This choice of setting means the stage has a warm, homely feel and really gives the sense that Catherine and her sister have grown up here, and are in some ways still attached to it despite all that has happened.

A great deal of thought was also put into the costumes, with each outfit in keeping with the character’s personality and even state of mind at the time – attention to detail that really heightened the audiences' sense of being inside these characters' home and seeing into their lives.

The cast put on powerful performances, without a single weak link. Their Chicago accents were well practiced and seemed to come naturally, with only the occasional slip. Bea Svistunenko created a truly three dimensional character in her portrayal of Catherine, with the many subtle nuances of her instability always thinly covered by a blunt exterior. Kay Dent is a perfect foil for Catherine as her well-meaning but controlling sister, Claire. Will Chappell gets quite a few laughs as an overly curious mathematician, but also puts on emotionally-charged dramatic performances later in the play. Finally, Will Peck manages to convey the realities of living with mental illness with perfect balance in his reserved portrayal of his character’s instability. He must also be commended for portraying his character’s age – as the only older character in the show, Peck pulled this of masterfully, something which is often lacking in student productions.

The show was fairly long for a play with a single act, but the actors’ relatable performances ensured the storyline remained compelling. When it ended I could hardly believe I had been there for two hours.