Crime and Punishment at Studio Jack Theatre Review
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic Crime and Punishment is told by just three actors in this intriguing new adaptation by Jack Jacobs. The original novel, written in 1866, is a tale of redemption, following Raskolnikov after he murders two women and grapples with feelings of guilt.
The primary difference between this adaptation of the play and Dostoevsky’s original text would probably be its sense of perspective. While the book is told in a third-person narrative, allowing the audience the space for their own reflections, the play feels more heavily centred around Raskolnikov. It’s 90 minutes straight through, and is told episodically, each beginning with Raskolnikov chalking out ‘DAY ONE’ ‘DAY TWO’... on blackboard-esque set pieces. It’s a concept the audience learns to be grateful for, as it gives a sense of structure in a play which can feel long and almost direction-less.
Throughout the play, Raskolnikov addresses the audience, “no one knows what they truly believe”, and it hooks us. Jacobs' performance as the poor young man from St Petersburg is engaging and charming and slightly terrifying all at once. We are unsure whether to pity him, hate him, or feel oddly maternal over him. (Which, of course, is the point of the story). Nonetheless, Jacobs humanises him in a way that feels comforting.
Faye Bishop plays Sonya. It is a powerful and equally conflicted performance. The final scene of the play in which she elicits a confession from Raskolnikov is a stressful watch, as we do not know how she will react.
The three person cast is completed by Andrew Callaghan, who plays the funny, razor-sharp investigator, Porfiry.
He psychologically torments Raskolnikov, pushing him to admit to the crimes he has committed. Callaghan is excellent in this role, and he has great chemistry with Jacobs.
Where this play struggles is not in its performances, but instead in its storytelling. It loses its way at times, and it becomes hard for the audience to follow what is happening. This may be a result of the small cast and multi-roling, or even some staging choices.
Perhaps it's one the audience should have a better grasp of before seeing in a play form.
The dialogue is well-written, though, and there are some moments of really engaging material.
Conceptually, it’s a great idea. And one that has been done before. Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus previously adapted the story into a similar 90 minute, three-actor production in 2006, which went on to win multiple creative awards. It’s just a shame this adaptation just feels less exciting than it could have been.
Running at the Jack Studio Theatre until the 26th September, this intimate rendition of Dostoevsky’s classic text takes a while to heat up.
★★★
Written by Sarah P for Theatre and Tonic, September 2026.
