Des

Brian Campbell has written what is, in effect, a paean to a tribal icon in this telling of his story about Father Desmond Wilson. In doing so, he has managed to create a theatrically compelling narrative about the development of a radical priest working in extraordinarily troubled times within his West Belfast flock. The portrait is of a man trying to cling to his Gospel and obey his social conscience without the support of his ecclesiastical superiors.

The late Bishop Philbin is the primary target of most of this dedicated priest's anger, attacked for his presentation to the Vatican of a benign picture of the British army's behaviour in Ballymurphy. He is also condemned for his attendance at a garden party in Buckingham Palace when the Queen's army was riding roughshod over Father Wilson's flock, and for issuing letters, to be read out at Mass, which demonstrated scant understanding of what was happening in what the author describes as the real world of West Belfast.

Sometimes the monologue becomes uneasily didactic as actor Jim Doran seeks to explain his reasoned anger to the audience. Sometimes the exchanges between himself and Father Wilson's fellow curates or their parishioners become a mite stilted, but, for the most part, Pam Brighton's direction for Dubbeljoint keeps the narrative moving along swiftly.

It is greatly to Jim Doran's credit that he manages so often to switch from the persona of the angry priest to persuasive cameos of his supporters and of those in either army or hierarchy who sniffily disapproved or disregarded his concerns.

Brian Campbell's paean is wholeheartedly sung in this gripping evening. As a piece of documentary theatre, it will provoke outrage in some and enthusiastic support in others - and what more can we ask of theatre than that it should evoke strong feelings?

Runs until December 2nd (booking at 01-855 4673).