Lost for words in a war zone

Damascus, David Greig's new play for the National Theatre of Scotland, is about hapless writer Paul (the excellent Paul Higgins) trying to sell his English-language textbooks to a Syrian university and negotiating politically sensitive passages with his interpreter, Muna (beautifully played by Nathalie Armin).

Paul and Muna's sparky discussions - full of sexual tension as he falls for her - provide much of the play's comedy in their clever wordplay.

Greig neatly exposes how Paul's woolly liberalism hides an ignorance of the complexities of Middle East politics, particularly in his dealings with Zakaria (Khalid Laith), the young hotel receptionist desperate to emigrate to the West.

The action never goes outside the foyer of Paul's hotel and Anthony MacIlwaine's set captures bland corporateness. The fact that we are in a war zone is neatly referenced in the foyer's plasma screen, showing constant TV images of the Middle East conflict.

This is essentially a play about how little we truly understand other cultures, and director Philip Howard keeps things ticking along nicely. But the play doesn't know where to go after the interval and its shocking ending sits uneasily.

Until 26 Aug (0131 228 1404, www.traverse.co.uk).

Damascus
Traverse, Edinburgh Fringe