THERE'S always great anticipation when you walk into the Everyman to see what awaits audiences on the famous stage.

In the past we have seen the sparce set designs for Fiddler on the roof and Sweeney Todd contrasting with the futuristic appeal of A clockwork orange.

Imagination always has good company on Hope Street.

Now with Corrina, Corrina we have the impressive bow of a container ship - designed by Moi Tran - setting sail for Singapore.

Liverpool's award-winning playwright Chloë Moss' world premiere (now that's a phrase I like to hear) has researched and painstakingly created a powerful, multi-pensive play which offers as many questions as it does answers.

Corrina (Laura Elsworthy) is a woman in a male-dominated world and one she is determined to survive in even as she is assaulted by the crashing waves of her personal and professional life.

The adage 'it's always bad luck for a woman to be on board' ringing in her proud ears and they haven't even left the port.

Like eaves-dropping stowaways, the audience watch on as a cargo of raw emotion is opened and disected on a veritable sea of rage.

Corrina bravely deals with a captain (David Crellin) who cares more about chess than he does leading his crew with a broken, pointless moral compass.

She is joined on board by her first officer Will. A so-sure-of-himself Scouser and dubious ex-flame (or is he?) here played with real spark by Mike Noble.

Mike is reminiscent of fellow actor Stephen Graham (with whom he recently appeared in the TV drama Help). He is a name to look out for in his own right as he fleshes out the dishonorable Will immersing himself in this layered role.

Laura, as all-at-sea Corrina, has a tough call delivering the demanding earthy dialogue in scenes with Will which are both sensitive and graphic in equal measure.

We ceratinly feel for the trio of Filipino crew members decked out in blue boiler suits (looking like a tired '80s boy band) and providing some light amid the shade with their their karaoke obsession breaking the monotony of their working lives. I shall never hear Dolly Parton's Jolene in the same light again.

The plight of poor working conditions, inconsistent pay packets and being treated like worthless minions would make a play in its own right.

James Bradwell (Angelo) Martin Sarreal (Rafael) and Angelo Paragoso (Rizal) are all top notch in making you feel their physical and mental maltreatment.

But Chloe has chosen a wider berth when it comes to her storytelling - also showing the desparate isolation and stifling atmosphere of Corrina's thankless job and sinking career.

Director Holly Race Roughan keeps the pace moving along powerfully throughout.

Slick scene changes and genuinely striking moments are created by lighting and back projection.

My shipping forecast is that this play is steering the right course for a drama award notably in the 'original thriller' genre.

Globe verdict: Intelligent, intense, impassioned

Four stars

The production is on until June 4

Tickets from the box office on 0151 709 4776 or www.everymanplayhouse.com