Small town sentimentality

In the American town of Gompers, the steel mill has closed and virtually no one has a job. Molly is pregnant, her mum is an alcoholic and Nolan, who lives in the flat above with Molly's boyfriend, Dent, self-mutilates and is a closet homosexual. Across the corridor, Stromile is caring for Carlos, dying of Aids, while 14-year-old Chris lives among the dustbins on the street.

Yet there are signs of hope: Dent has found a tiny golden greyhound and is keeping it in a box, a blue Jesus is spotted across the river walking on water, while rumours of a gambling boat herald the possibility of new employment.

Adam Rapp weaves his scenes into a dramatic montage rather than a linear narrative, fluently dovetailing snapshots of individual lives caught up in the flotsam of a moribund town.

His writing reflects the extent to which the inhabitants of Gompers are resigned to the nightmares of their daily lives - hints of racial and sexual tension are casually tossed into conversation; personal tragedies - alcoholism, homelessness, poverty - are deeply embedded in the fabric of ordinary life.

The surreal elements complement the production's dreamlike quality, although its widescreen shape also comes at the expense of some muchneeded dramatic focus. Director Roisin McBrinn teases some sensitive performances from her large cast, however, and her moving finale, in particular, serves the material well.

Until Sep 18, Arcola Theatre, Arcola Street E8, Mon to Sat 8pm, £10, £6 concs Mon to Fri, Tue pay what you can. Tel: 020 7503 1646. Rail: Dalston Kingsland