Gerry Colgan finds the evidence adduced for the existence of angels is hardly compelling in a Dublin Youth Theatre production

Faith / Angels, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin

Dublin Youth Theatre has, as part of the Temple Bar Diversions Festival, returned to street theatre after an absence of 10 years with a multi-media show celebrating the cultures that exist in our now multi-racial society, using as a platform the belief in angels taught by various religions.

It opens with a young man reciting the teachings of Allah, then moves to an impressive gospel choir. Then two young women saunter around the space, while on a large screen another speaks of her mother and, I think, angels - the sound was not always clear. People begin to walk around greeting each other. The meaning of all this is elusive.

Then the shutters go up on the stage in the Square, revealing a Russian spaceship on a scientific expedition. A white light shines through its windows, and the crew see angels looking in at them. Another scenario is of soldiers on the Somme caught in a deadly German trap. They pray, and in the sky above them angels appear and enable them to escape.

Interspersed with these narratives are images on the screen, testifying to the historic status of angels. Famous paintings depict them, statues stand on street pedestals and high buildings to honour them. The message of ecumenism is not voiced strongly in this, although racial equality is always implied. It is, however, the belief in angels that drives the show, and the evidence adduced is hardly compelling.

But there is the pleasure of watching youth exercise its intellectual and emotional powers, in a theatrical display not without its merits. And it is free.

Final performance Sunday 9pm.