The Abbey Theatre, as part of its Outreach Programme and in collaboration with the Department of Education, commissioned Sucking Dublin from a notable new playwright, Enda Walsh. Both he and director Sarah Thornton immersed themselves in the world of young people in deprived areas of the capital. Then he wrote his play, now directed by her; and the result has that fusion of credible material and creativity which makes for exciting theatre. It is set in the fortified flat of drug-pusher Steve and opens with a birthday party he is throwing for single mother Little Lamb, whom he casually rapes while her baby's father Lep watches in a drug-dazed state. We are in society's lower depths, where misery is the common denominator and loveless sex and drugs are futile attempts at escape. This is not a pleasant play, and its bleakness is virtually unrelieved; but it grips like the Ancient Mariner.

After the party, Lep and his sister Fat - another escapist - take a bus ride on which he attempts a funny-sad conversation with a nun. He must have his score, and the road leads inexorably back to Steve, with Fat bound to him. Lamb steals money from her father to try to get out of Dublin; she is viciously mugged, but holds on to the cash. Back in the flat, Steve treats his woman Amanda like a bondslave, and outside a chorus of "Pushers Out" begins to swell.

Lamb finally escapes, but has to abandon her baby to do so. The play ends on this note of near-tragedy, leavened with hope bought at the highest price. It is most effectively acted by Anto Nolan (Steve), Deirdre Molloy (Lamb), Mor na Regan (Amanda), Lynda Gough (Fat) and Aidan Kelly as an edgy, despairing Lep of some brilliance. They are supported by a chorus of Jessica Brady, Esther Mulligan, Anton Stafford and Paul Griffin fleshing out the action with effective bits of business.

Aedin Cosgrave's set design is eye-catching and accommodating for a production which is a credit to this Outreach Programme drama project.

Continues until November 8th; booking on 01-6082461