Anna Karenina, Octagon Theatre, Bolton. Runs until November 4

THIS stylish production makes for compelling theatre.

The dark and brooding intensity of the tale about the doomed Anna is portrayed with passion.

Susie Trayling is outstanding as Anna, the woman who gives up husband, child and respectability for love but finds that it is not enough.

Her scenes with Vronsky -- another excellent performance from Paul Barnhill -- are charged with sexual power.

Anna's descent into depression and dependency on morphine is brilliantly done by Trayling. It's a beautifully judged and timed performance.

Conrad Nelson -- who has composed the wonderfully atmospheric music for the play -- plays Anna's husband, Karenin, with outstanding authority.

Robert Pickavance brings a delightful eccentricity to the role of Levin and injects some light relief into the narrative.

The direction by Mark Babych, assisted by Bella Merlin cannot be faulted.

While the action moves swiftly along, there is no sense of rushing what are very moving scenes. The set by Dominie Hooper is simple but effective. Giant shadows appear on the backdrop as a sombre setting for the characters' unhappiness. There are some marvellous set pieces choreographed by Ruth Jones in which the actors perform as human scenery for Anna. It's a clever device and highly effective.

Mark Babych must have thought long and hard before staging Anna Karenina. He was right to do so. It shows that the Octagon can successfully tackle weighty work of this calibre. Doreen Crowther Susie Trayling and Conrad Nelson in the brooding story of Anna Karenina Ref: H4107/14