The King’s Players’ production of Dennis Kelly’s ‘DNA’ cleverly balances the poignant and the ridiculous. The unbelievable series of coincidental events that follows a group of teenagers after they accidentally kill a classmate gives way to intelligent discussions of the ethics, guilt and accountability, interspersed with hilarious and relatable comedy. While some of the acting more closely resembled caricatures than characters, there was much to be commended. Particular highlights included Elle Arhur as Leah and Laura Fatchett as Cathy, whose larger than life characters easily stole every scene in which they appeared. Credit should also go to Steve Hodgetts as Mark and Cat Palenthorpe as Jan, whose exceptional timing gave the moments of comic relief the kick and pace that they needed. The play’s success continued into other aspects of the production. The lighting, for instance, was exceptionally effective, with the use of mobile phone light to create a striking opening. The cast’s command of the thrust staging also had a great impact, to the point that the audience almost became unaware that characters were placed in strategic positions to maximise visibility and appeared incredibly natural throughout. Yet the piece was not without its misgivings. Questions were raised by...