Staged to coincide with the start of the Labour Conference, The Death Of Nelson is a reminder of how fragile idealism becomes in the face of complacency.

A one-man show written and performed by Robert Cohen, it covers the 18-year span between the Iron Handbag days of Thatcherism and the optimistic first term of the Blair government.

Cohen plays Richie, a laid-back apolitical guy who becomes godfather to his friends' son, Nelson. Born at the height of the anti-apartheid struggle in the mid-Eighties, the baby is named for Nelson Mandela by his radical student parents.

As the decade advances, Nelson's parents become increasingly disillusioned with politics, easing into comfortable conservatism as they exchange their earlier radicalism for materialism and employment.

Richie, meanwhile, gradually gains all the idealism they have lost. In trying to pass this on to Nelson, he comes into direct conflict with his friends.

Following the trajectory of dying youthful enthusiasm, Cohen's play asks some tough questions about capitalism, power and hanging on to your beliefs.

The show's agenda doesn't deprive it of amusement - Cohen claims humour "finds a way in whether I want it to or not."

Curtain 8pm, Tickets £5, Tel: 01273 702563