Rita, Sue and Bob Too And A State Affair, Library Theatre, Manchester until tomorrow

MANY will remember the film that was made in the 80s of this play.

While it was very funny, I personally found the film rather sordid -- a man having sex with two underage girls who are babysitting each week and what evolves out of those loveless encounters.

Andrea Dunbar was just 21 when she wrote this autobiographical account of life on one of the 'sink' estates of Bradford.

She had children by three different men and died from a brain haemorrhage at 29.

This is the life that Andrea experienced each day.

Shining through the play, is the honesty with which this life is depicted. Shocking at times but softened by the humour, its truthfulness redeems it.

The film's 'happy' ending isn't here to make it more palatable.

The second play, by Robin Soames, is a re-visitation of the estate 20 years later.

Now the sex in the preceding play seems innocent. Drugs are now the shocking reality on the estate.

The foul language of the first has largely vanished, but the drugs, the victims, the people who try to help and drug's effects on the breaking down of society are illustrated in such a horrifyingly cold way that these seem more obscene.

Thought provoking, yet enjoyable.

BRENDA KEAN