WRITING a play which characterises theatre critics as morally bankrupt, alcoholic, vampires' pimps does not seem to have harmed the critical stock of Dublin playwright, Conor McPherson. McPherson's latest play, St Nicholas, a monologue which opened at the Bush Theatre, London, has received a selection of warmly forgiving reviews. The Evening Standard felt that the play proved that McPherson is "an exciting theatrical voice and a fine director of his own work" while the Daily Express described the play as "disgracefully enjoyable". Michael Billington in the Guardian was more measured in his enthusiasm, praising McPherson's "immaculate direction" but noting that the play suffers in comparison with the writer's previous London show, This Lime Tree Bower. None of the critics, however, could find fault with the monologue's star, Brian Cox, who from all accounts has turned in a performance of rare power.