Voodoo spirits and Cuban cigars

A cigar factory is as good a place as any in which to try to bring Cuba's many permutations together under one roof. Black, white and Hispanic people; atheism, Catholicism and Santeria; loyalty to the revolution and a longing for the perceived riches and freedoms of America... all intermingle here in Steven Knight's first play.

Allegiances are delineated most obviously through music: the veterans want to listen to folk songs; the young female tobacco sorters want Michael Jackson. With the boss away, it falls to senior cigar roller Miguel (a bearded and intense Paul Hilton) to decide, but he has greater concerns.

His girlfriend Alexandra (the daughter of imposing cigar taster Don Jose, played by Jim Carter) escaped for Key West the night before and he's been numbing his pain with heroin. Strung out, Miguel declares a democracy, with himself as president. But as work disintegrates, so does he, distracted by the ghostly, voodoo-raised presence of Alexandra and the fear that her boat may have been caught in a storm.

Knight has crammed a wealth of stories into his plot, as well as considerations of Cuba's future. But although the revelations come thick and fast and there is some superb acting on display, the action too often seems to stumble.

Director Howard Davies nails the chattering, bustling environment of a cigar factory but the raw emotions of loss that should propel this piece prove more elusive: key moments of pathos fall rather flat. Bunny Christie's gorgeously evocative set is, however, a treat all by itself.

In rep until Aug 27 (next perf Jul 11), Cottesloe, National Theatre, South Bank SE1, 7.30pm, mats 2.30pm, £10 to £27.50. Tel: 020 7452 3000. Tube: Waterloo/Embankment

The President Of An Empty Room