The dark side of passion is captured by the Company of Ten in its next production, an adaptation of Zola’s classic Thérèse Raquin.

Lust, betrayal, murder and mental torture all feature heavily in the upcoming production, a gripping psychological thriller from the mind ofthe 19th century French writer.

Adapted by Nicholas Wright from Zola’s 1867 novel, it tells the story of Thérèse, a young woman who has been pressured into marrying her sickly first cousin by his mother – her aunt and guardian.

Bored and frustrated by her joyless existence in a dingy apartment above a Parisian haberdashery shop, Thérèse embarks on a passionate affair with her husband’s best friend, setting in motion a horrifying sequence of events.

Shocking when it was first released, Zola’s story has lost none of its power in the past 150 years. But according to director Terry Prince, it is the play’s exploration of what drives the characters to act as they do – and how they respond afterwards – that makes it really compelling.

He explained: “Thérèse and her lover hope for a lasting togetherness based on an undetected act of violence but they quickly learn that the workings of their own minds can exact retribution just as effectively as the law.

“Although the play is undeniably dark, the gloom is not entirely unrelenting with some fine moments of comic relief provided by visitors to the family’s home. But ultimately this is a story about the tragic consequences of uncontrollable passion – and, we hope, an engrossing evening’s theatre.”

Performances take place at the Abbey Theatre Studio at 8pm from next Friday, January 16 to Saturday, January 17, and from Tuesday, January 20, until Saturday, January 24.

There is also a matinee at 2.30pm on Sunday, January 18.

To book tickets go to www.abbeytheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 01727 857861.