THEATRE REVIEW: After Miss Julie - at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Monday, June 6 to Saturday, June 11, 2016.

THE war is over! Labour has just won a landslide victory. Now it appears what is on offer is the opportunity of change for the masses, but is it going to be the new order or not for everyone in 1945?

Not, it would seem in this steamy Upstairs, Downstairs household, with Miss Julie (Helen George) lasciviously lurking around the family pile and servants John (Richard Flood) and Christine (Amy Cudden) ready to oblige, to do all that pleases her. And for John, in particular, that means extra curricular activities which normally fall outside of a chaffeur’s regular chores.

It’s not quite socialism’s new dawn - it’s far too murky and misty to see the future clearly.

All the action in this engaging and absorbing Patrick Marber version of August Strindberg’s original offering of 1888 occurs in the kitchen of a large country house outside London in the midst of the election celebrations.

It’s a touch grubby - splendidly authentic - with director Anthony Banks ensuring this cross-class tale of love and lust matches the surrounding shabbiness.

Clearly this is a 'kitchen-sink' drama that releases searing passion and a few home truths that really pack a punch.

Miss Julie’s call below stairs signals disruption. It’s euphoric outside as the electorate celebrates and quicker than a verse of The Red Flag it’s soon euphoric inside as she makes her play for John, in front of his long intended - the cook Christine, knowing that for years he has masked a latent desire for her.

For a time the impression is given that the new order might be emerging, but flights of fancy and misjudged plans see the old order resurface. Rows and abuse break out, Miss Julie is far from sweetness and light, after all - position counts, and that’s not meant to be a reference to the carnal activity in the early hours.

Short, just a one act drama of around one hour and 40 minutes, it is utterly compelling. The cast of three are in cracking form. Christine may be a bit of a drudge but she earns our sympathy. But as for John and Julie… you could sense the coldness of the audience and the belief they deserved their fates - their self-destruction.