Pouring water on troubled oil

David Mamet first wrote this as a radio play in 1977, and as such it conjures up a wealth of striking images in the mind's eye.

Even on stage, with the benefit of visuals, Mamet's spare dialogue and simple story suggests a world that goes beyond the confines of Robert Innes Hopkins's effectively claustraphobic wire cage of a set.

This is the battle of the little guy against the system and faceless corporations (in a Hitchcock film he would be played by Jimmy Stewart, though in a 1992 TV film version it was William H Macy).

Against the backdrop of a Chicago science fair in 1934, an inventor has come up with a revolutionary engine that runs on just water. The oil industry, not overly happy at this, closes in on its quarry - played with an innocent gaucheness by Paul Chequer - to devastating effect.

This topical tale of oil interests protecting their own is thoughtfully directed by Tom Wright, as part of the Theatre 503's Direct Action season, a coproduction with the Young Vic, which seeks to promote upandcoming directors (Rufus Norris, this year's Evening Standard best director award winner, has been a beneficiary of the scheme).

Wright creates plenty of atmosphere with simple sound-effects - typewriters in a newspaper office, a lift descending - moody lighting and, yes, a hint
of Hitchcock. Add a versatile ensemble of just five, and you have a compelling, perfectly performed, hour-long drama.

Until 26 June. Information: 020 7978 7040.