BRINGING a bingedrinking drama to within spitting distance of the Bigg Market is a bit “coals to Newcastle”. However this one, a new commission from Roy Williams, features real war in Iraq.

But if you’re thinking that war’s a dirty word, then you may need earplugs for the lively language of the opening scene.

Roy Williams has used Much Ado about Nothing as inspiration for a brutal, bloody story. What our boys really did get up to in Basra is sandwiched between two alco-propped scenes spiked with some real mind-numbing puerility and some fine acting, but “crude scally” (as played with gusto by Sarah Ridgeway as Trish) certainly has limitations as an art form.

The lairiness is served up with pints of crudity and barely a drop of humour. The spectre of active service is never far away. One such soldier is the naive and very breakable Jamie, played by George Rainsford, who, in common with the rest of the company, is making his RSC debut.

Leaving the foul language and communal vomiting behind to venture to a gun siege in Iraq was, perversely, very welcome.

Issues about the wrongs and rights of the war are blown to pieces by a compelling scene of killing, dying and the fallout.

The depiction of atrocities may be difficult and messy, but that was a picnic compared to the pointless obscenity of civvy street.

■ Until Saturday Tickets 0191-230-5151. northernstage.co.uk

Sarah Scott