WHAT an odd little play.

Canadian writer Morris Panych’s drama puts centrestage three dishwashers in an upmarket restaurant.

Nothing much happens in terms of action – apart from some washing up – but everyone talks a lot, notably long-time dishwasher Dressler who is a bit of a philosopher.

Perhaps the main attraction is that he’s played by David Essex, back in a non-singing role after musicals such as Aspects Of Love and All The Fun Of The Fair.

The catalyst for all the talk is the arrival of Emmett (Rik Makarem, late of Emmerdale) who used to eat in the restaurant but, having fallen on hard financial times, is reduced to washing dirty dishes.

Director Nikolai Foster stages the piece with a series of scenes framed by a cinematic-like device that I liked but about which I heard one woman at the interval (at Birmingham Rep where I saw the show last week) complain that she preferred seeing the scene changes rather than having them hidden.

Foster keeps the action moving in what’s a very wordy play. Essex is believable as Dressler, a former criminal who’s accepted his life “below stairs” and feels a duty towards his employers.

Makarem conveys the anguish and anger of a man who’s lost everything and resents finding himself sharing workspace with an older, wiser man. Andrew Jarvis’s boozedup dishwasher Moss totters on from time to time to liven up the proceedings.

  • Until Saturday. Box office 08448-112121 and online theatreroyal.co.uk