'It stands out in terms of how it plays with elements of comedy and tragedy'

England is in crisis: treacherous weather, failing crops, and communities divided by paranoia and superstition. And the government blames a plague of foxes. This is the premise of Dawn King's dystopian drama Foxfinder, the next production at the Lace Market Theatre. Director Chris Sims explains more.

What do you love most about Foxfinder?

How relevant it is for today. The basic premise of the play seems to be quite absurd, but the more you get into this world of propaganda, lies and oppression the more parallels you can see with what's happening around us. It makes you realise how thin the line between the credible and the ridiculous is, and how much truth is defined by whoever has power.

What kind of person is going to love this show?

People who enjoy character-driven, intelligent theatre that makes you think.

What work have you done to bring new elements of the story to the production?

It's a fairly new play so I haven't felt much pressure to be 'different' - my focus has been on being truthful to the story and the characters. But I think the political developments over the past couple of years have made the play's themes even more relevant, so the impact on our audiences might be that bit more urgent than for previous productions.

How does this production differ from other plays this season at the Lace Market Theatre?

I think Foxfinder stands out in terms of how it plays with elements of comedy and tragedy, and the way it delivers some striking imagery despite being staged in with the limitations of a studio production. It is an intriguing play that I think will stay with audiences for a long time.