The term is binaural – describing the way we hear sound in real life. My immediate question was if this play which is sold out at the Donmar is to be recorded for cinema or home streaming, could the directional sound be reproduced in those locations?  Is it just a gimmick or does the sound quality add to the production?  The actors can talk in normal voices; they do not have to project theatrically to be heard.

I was tempted of course to take off the headphones to see if I could still hear the actors, and I could, just.  The other impact is the isolating effect of wearing headphones in the theatre audience and not sharing the audience’s response to the play.  We could hear the screams of children without seeing them, still chilling.  Bruno Poet’s soundscape is creative and mesmerising.