The eerie, dramatic opening of Demon Voice, the show currently on at Performance Works, quickly sets the tone for an uncomfortable hour and a half to follow.

The story revolves around six interlinking characters, each struggling with relationships and the consequences of intimacy. With characters including a girl in Hell with a face filled with scars, a husband and wife who are no longer intimate, and an ex-con struggling to find a sexual identity after life behind bars, this play is not for the light-hearted.

Shawn Macdonald, the Vancouver-based playwright who penned Demon Voice, began writing the play as a situational comedy focusing on the aftermath of a one-night stand.  During the writing process, the play evolved into a dark meditation on the challenging aspects of intimate relationships.

Perhaps MacDonald, however, should have remained true to his original intentions, as the serious subject matter and dialogue explored in this play at times feel contrived and forced. Take the format of Love Actually, add gore and dramatic lighting, and what do you get?  Something that feels oddly like a soap opera, complete with plot twist, turns and surprises.

Issues with the premise of the play aside, performances, staging, costumes and set are exceptionally polished and refreshing. Local actors Patrick Keating (Darryl), Kevin K. James (Mike) and Gwynyth Walsh (Anna) give performances that humanize the sometimes far-fetched dialogue. Keating, in particular, takes on the role of crystal methamphetamine addict living on the Downtown Eastside with such great honesty it is easy to forget he is acting.

The set created by David Roberts is exceptionally well-tailored to the various storylines of the play, as it encases several areas, each with a different background screen, ranging from an image from a biology textbook to an architectural floor plan of a restaurant.  The industrial feel of the set accurately reflects the tone of the play, allowing each scene to play out with ease.

Although the multiple story lines help the time pass quickly, there is a sense of relief when the lights come on, and the intensity of the subject matter dissipates. The play showcases some excellent performances and staging,  but flaws in the script leave it lacking.

Demon Voice runs until November 28 at Performance Works on Granville Island.