A pompous pair of grumpy old men

In Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in 2001, there are just two Jews left, living on top of the other in an old Kabul synagogue. Z (Kemal Sylvester) is a carpet seller for whom business is far from buoyant; Y (Andre Lillis, right) is an ageing rabbi clinging to his Talmud and phylacteries.

Their enmity - originally caused by both believing the other was responsible for the loss of a sacred Torah scroll - knows no bounds. Even as the US bombs fall they plot each other's downfall.

Michael J Flexer's short, sharp, blackly humorous play, based on a true story, captures this love/ hate relationship in staccato scenes of tart oneliners.

But Oliver Mears's production manages to reach beneath the gags and touch on the aching loneliness consuming these two imperiled men, for whom religion is their only comfort and the source of their agony.

Sylvester's suffocatingly pompous Z and Lillis's outwardly bemused, inwardly cunning Y use the Pleasance's small Stage Space to great effect and make for a great pair of grumpy old men, each equally obnoxious and equally enthralling.

Until Dec 3, Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road N7, Tue to Sat 7.45pm, Sun 5.15pm, £8.50, £6.50 concs. Tel: 020 7609 1800. www.pleasance.co.uk Tube: Caledonian Road

My Brother's Keeper
The Pleasance Stage Space @ Pleasance Theatre
North Road, N7 9DP