Abbington's Strictly storm has rightly put this brave and important play in the spotlight

THIS challenging play about the trauma of rape has received more attention than it might have as its lead actress, Amanda Abbington, is at the centre of the storm over alleged bullying that has engulfed Strictly Come Dancing.

- Nick Curtis

On balance, that’s probably a good thing — the play needs and deserves a spotlight, though it has clearly been tricky for Abbington to negotiate.

Drawn from the life of writer Tawni O’Dell and her family, When It Happens to You is a difficult watch on many levels for much of its 90-minute running time, before delivering a profound late revelation that makes sense of it all.

Abbington’s Tara, a successful writer living in Pennsylvania, wakes to 27 missed calls from her daughter Esme (Rosie Day), who has been violated by a stranger in her New York apartment.

The rapist is caught and convicted but the effects of the attack continue to “metastasise”, blighting the family’s lives.