Silencing a supergun maverick

This clever little thriller from Canadian writer Jason Sherman is based on the life of Gerald Bull, the maverick artillery designer who would have delivered Saddam Hussein his supergun had somebody not silenced him. The manner of his silencing makes for the title of the piece.

In the play, Bull becomes the peace-loving Donald Jackson. His obsession is not guns, but developing a defence against nuclear attack. When the US government cancels his funding, Jackson goes rogue, willing to sell his system to whoever can fund his vision. The tale of betrayal and flawed idealism unwinds in skilful flashback, as Jackson's son Paul interrogates the CIA agent who sanctioned his father's death.

Rod Beacham is excellent as Jackson. He shines with the conviction of the academic visionary. His breakdown, in Arthur Miller style, comes with the realisation that, in military hands, a state-of-the-art defence is merely a platform for attack.

This naivety is a little hard to credit, but Beacham makes it work, bringing an unexpected touch of heroism to a much-maligned profession.

Until 10 December. Box office: 020 8940 3633.

Three In The Back, Two In The Head