Press for this production

‘intriguing new adaptation by Jack Jacobs. The original novel, written in 1866, is a tale of redemption, following Raskolnikov after he murders two women and grapples with feelings of guilt.

Jacobs’ performance as the poor young man from St Petersburg is engaging and charming and slightly terrifying all at once. We are unsure whether to pity him, hate him, or feel oddly maternal over him… Jacobs humanises him in a way that feels comforting.

Faye Bishop plays Sonya. It is a powerful and equally conflicted performance… The three person cast is completed by Andrew Callaghan, who plays the funny, razor-sharp investigator, Porfiry… Callaghan is excellent in this role, and he has great chemistry with Jacobs.’  Theatre and Tonic

‘Andrew Callaghan gives a searing performance as both the Inspector Porfiry and Marmeladov… Callaghan dominates the stage and gives everything to both roles.

As a psychological novel that explores the pathology of guilt, this is manifested through some effectively evocative and doom-laden, jarring sound design from Ben Bayliss…

Creativity abounds in this resourceful interpretation of Dostoevsky’s masterpiece.  All in all, this is an accomplished debut piece. Hats off to Off By Heart who have pulled off an ambitious task with boldness and energy that many others would have baulked at.’ London Pub Theatres

‘a pacey performance with a finely sharpened sense of claustrophobia… Jacobs portrays Raskolnikov with understanding..

Circling around Raskolnikov is detective Porfiry, brilliantly played by Andrew Callaghan. In the moments of interaction between Porfiry and Raskolnikov the concerns of the play have a glaring light shone upon their shadowy forms and are thrown into brutal relief.

Callaghan multi-roles as the alcoholic Marmeladov… both despicable and deeply pitiable in his plight; Callaghan finds both, as well as comedy. Despite what one might think, Dostoevsky can be deeply funny in his writing, with a rich seam of satire…

The set is well designed by Geoff Howard, with screens of white paper stretched tight and bandages curling down, mirroring the bandages wrapped around Raskolnikov’s feet, numb to the cold and hard ground. The numbness fades as the horror and glory of human emotion unwinds, in a play that does justice to the depth of a masterpiece.’ A Young(ish) Perspective 

‘Andrew Callahghan is superb both as Marmeladov a hungry, wide eyed drunk Raskolikov meets in a tavern and then as his interrogator Porfiry – cunning, urbane, reasonable…

The sound in this show is very striking. We hear voices speaking Russian and some very grating noises meant to suggest street sound mirroring Raskolnikov’s state of mind… an impressive job… Jacobs has found ways of making this take on Crime and Punishment quite punchy without compromising on the core arguments.

I shall be very interested to see what Off My Heart does next.’ Susan Elkin