The dark world of Austrian playwright Arthur Schnitzler, who chronicled the decadence and darkness of Vienna at the turn of the twentieth century, has been given a modern twist by the Young Vic whose touring production, Sweet Nothings, runs at the Rose next week.

Directed by acclaimed Swiss director Luc Bondy, Sweet Nothings, is a new version of Schnitzler’s play Liebelei and it is in Kingston from April 20 - April 24. The play tells the story of young Vienesse Fritz and his friend, Theo, who invite two girls, Christine and Mizi, to join them for a party.

The festivities are soon interrupted by a mysterious stranger who challenges Fritz about an adulterous affair he has been having. This being Schnitzler, tragedy soon starts to unfold.

Natalie Dormer, who plays Mizi in the show, says: “The play is incredibly dark - Schnitzler trained as a doctor and was a contemporary of Freud. He had a very precise mind and he is very good at stripping away human psychology and behaviour.

“He is quite unforgiving of it. It is a human play that has a modern feel to it - no character comes out well but that is human nature, we are all fallible.”

This “modern feel” has been enhanced by the treatment of the Austrian’s original play by Olivier Award-winning playwright David Harrower, and Dormer says he has done a great job.

“David is known for his direct, concise and raw language,” she adds. “There is no waffly wording at all, as you might identify with a costume drama. He ruthlessly modernises what is effectively a chamber piece.”

The production will tour to Vienna and Madrid later in the year with the trip to the Rose part of a national tour that is currently bringing Schnitzler to the regions. Dormer is particularly looking forward to the performances in the Royal Borough as the theatre is not far from her Richmond home.

“I’m a Richmond girl so coming to the Rose is a big deal for me,” she says. “It’s really great, I can stay at home and I can be all smug as the other actors have to travel back to north London every night.”

Sweet Nothings, Rose Theatre, Kingston, April 20 - 24, for more information and to book, visit rosetheatrekingston.org