A Green Lanes culture clash

North London's Green Lanes, sweeping from Turnpike Lane to Stoke Newington, is the capital's meeting point (and often flashpoint) for the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Their East/West, Muslim/Christian clash forms the basis of Cosh Omar's first full-length play: a consideration of the tensions between these immigrant groups and how young people are recruited to the Muslim fundamentalist cause.

Turkish Cypriot Erol (played by Omar) enjoys hanging out with his Greek Cypriot mates, drinking, smoking weed and chasing girls but their banter shows prejudices which prove impossible to fight.

As Erol investigates his Muslim roots, acquaintances Abdullah and Kysar start indoctrinating him with their radical take on Islam.

Omar's sparky dialogue is played with naturalism throughout in Kerry Michael's thoughtful, if lengthy, production: George Savvides as Erol's dad Remzi and Jonathan Coyne as his wheeler-dealer 'uncle' Engin are particularly good as grumpy, set-intheirways Turks. At times unwieldy, this is still thought-provoking, well constructed theatre.

Until Nov 13, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square E15, Tue to Sat 7.45pm, Nov 13 mat 3pm, £8 to £20, £4 to £10 concs. Tel: 020 8534 0310. www.stratfordeast.com Tube: Stratford

The Battle Of Green Lanes