Duet for One is a misnomer. The play, Tom Kempinski’s famous echo of Jacqueline du Pre, is an absorbing duet between a musician and a psychotherapist.

Stephanie Abrahams is suffering from multiple sclerosis and can no longer play the violin.

Her doctor, Alfred Feldmann, is confronted with a hostile, defensive patient whom he must rescue from the ultimate finale.

Their interaction, by turns aggressive, passive or reactive makes totally riveting drama in an atmosphere of almost unbearable tension.

The therapeutic process requires occasional silence, an unnerving experience in the theatre and which requires the greatest skill from both players.

Lyn Snowdon as wheelchair bound Stephanie is marvellous, desperate to avoid sympathy and project positive thinking.

Her performance is faultless, her psyche altering as she realises the depth of Dr Feldmann’s perception - and his equal status as therapist and music lover.

Does Alfred feel more for his celebrated patient than professional empathy? John Hartnett has us wondering. His role, mostly to absorb and reflect Stephanie’s painful emotion, switches to passionate avowal of the meaning of life and his determination to make it worthwhile.

It’s a journey, punctuated by Bach Partitas, that they agree to make together.

Four stars