SOME productions you can just sit back and enjoy. Others require a little more effort on the part of the audience before they gain any benefit from them. Boston Marriage definitely falls into the latter category.

Although it's a short play, David Mamet has crammed enough words into 90 minutes to fill the mightiest dictionary.

Set at the end of the nineteenth century, the play centres on the relationship between Claire and Anna, a lesbian couple who appear to be drifting apart. New relationships, secret assignations and a dazzling necklace add to their complicated lives.

On stage throughout, Vivien Parry as Anna and Rebecca Charles as Claire turn in excellent performances as the waspish and quick-witted couple whose verbal sparrings leave you struggling to keep up. This is a comedy and some of the one-liners and cruel ripostes are hilarious. So too is Kelllie Shirley as the couple's maid.

To fully appreciate Boston Marriage requires an effort of concentration. The Octagon handles this production as well as any company probably can. You do feel that playwright David Mamet has been self-indulgent.

Until Saturday, May 3. Details on 01204 52066.