Abbey Theatre, Dublin Until Jan 10 7.30pm €20-€33 01-8787222

It’s Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank – or, at least, in an astonishingly booze-sodden Baldoyle living room, where discarded whiskey bottles look more at home than any Christmas decorations. Here James “Sharky” Harkin (Liam Carney), two days sober, is tormented by his blind brother Richard (Maeliosa Stafford), aided by his hapless, myopic friend Ivan (Don Wycherley), all of whom resemble lost souls. By the time Satan himself arrives – in the shape of Nick Dunning’s silvery devil incarnate, Mr Lockhart – to revive a card game with demonically high stakes, it’s unclear whether hell might be much worse than Sharky’s present circumstances.

As director of this engaging revival, it might seem that writer Conor McPherson had unfinished business with the play (last year’s Irish premiere was directed by Jimmy Fay). Whether or not this version counts as the more authoritative, the comedy has been heavily amplified (Wycherley’s entrance is magnificent, but his DTs are OTT), while special effects have conversely become more muted, giving new cast member Dunning a harder task.

Some things are constant – its fable of salvation, where heaven, not hell, is other people – is moving and skilfully served. And, given that the first run opened in May, a Christmas showing certainly has better timing.

CAN'T SEE THAT? CATCH THIS

Howl!Lyric Theatre, Elmwood Hall, Belfast